Topic 2 Review - The Beginnings of American Government

Which historic document did the Barons require King John to sign in 1215, effectively limiting the power of a monarch for the first time?

• English Bill of Rights

• Mayflower Compact

• The Olive Branch Petition

• The Magna Carta

Answer explanation

The Barons required King John to sign The Magna Carta in 1215, limiting the power of a monarch for the first time.

What two major plans were offered as replacements for the Articles of Confederation at the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

• The New Jersey and Georgia Plans

• The Connecticut and Virginia Plans

• The New Jersey and Virginia Plans

• The Pennsylvania and South Carolina Plans

Answer explanation

The correct major plans offered as replacements for the Articles of Confederation at the Constitutional Convention in 1787 were The New Jersey and Virginia Plans.

The English colonists brought with them knowledge of political systems that influenced constitutional government in North America. Which answer most emphasizes that people should have a voice in determining what their government can and cannot do?

• Colonialism

• Limited Government

• Representative Government

• Ordered Government

Answer explanation

The answer choice 'Representative Government' emphasizes that people should have a voice in determining what their government can and cannot do by electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Which event, born out of “The Glorious Revolution” and signed in 1689 by William and Mary, directly influenced later American political ideas and traditions?

• The Bill of Rights

• The Magna Carta

• The English Bill of Rights

• The Mayflower Compact

Answer explanation

The English Bill of Rights directly influenced later American political ideas and traditions, born out of 'The Glorious Revolution' and signed in 1689 by William and Mary.

What was the first permanent English colony established in North America in the year 1607?

• Plymouth

• Jamestown

• Roanoke

• St. Augustine

Answer explanation

Jamestown was the first permanent English colony established in North America in the year 1607.

The second permanent English colony in North America was established by a group of Puritans fleeing religious persecution in 1620.

• Plymouth

• Rhode Island

• Jamestown

• Roanoke Island

Answer explanation

The correct choice is Plymouth because it was the second permanent English colony established by Puritans in 1620, not Jamestown, Rhode Island, or Roanoke Island.

Viewed as an important document in the development of democracy in the English colonies, it stated that "all would work together for just and equal laws and the overall good of the new colony."

• The Magna Carta

• The English Bill of Rights

• The Mayflower Compact

• The Declaration of Independence

Answer explanation

The Mayflower Compact is the correct choice as it emphasized working together for just and equal laws in the new colony, contributing to the development of democracy in the English colonies.

Which of the following BEST describes why delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia at the First Continental Congress in 1774?

• The British Parliament had levied a series of unfair taxes and acts on the American colonists in the years following the French Indian War (1763 to 1774).

• The colonists wanted to boycott all British goods.

• Parliament requested a meeting of all colonial legislatures.

• The 13 colonies wanted to seek immediate independence from Great Britain.

Answer explanation

The British Parliament had levied a series of unfair taxes and acts on the American colonists in the years following the French Indian War (1763 to 1774).

Which of these actions did the Second Continental Congress take when it convened in May 1775?

• Appointed George Washington as commander of the new Continental Army.

• Began printing Continental currency (money).

• Set up a committee to conduct foreign relations.

• All of these

Answer explanation

The correct choice is 'All of these' because the Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington as commander of the new Continental Army, began printing Continental currency, and set up a committee to conduct foreign relations.

This patriot wrote COMMON SENSE, the pamphlet published in January 1776, which made a passionate plea for the colonists to break with Great Britain.

• Thomas Jefferson

• James Madison

• John Adams

• Thomas Paine

Answer explanation

The correct answer is Thomas Paine because he wrote 'COMMON SENSE,' a pamphlet urging the colonists to break with Great Britain in 1776.