US History & Government

In the 1780s, the national government under the Articles of Confederation established its authority in the Northwest Territory by

• collect adequate taxes from the states

• control western lands

• admit new states to the Union

What was a result of the Great Compromise during the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

• creating a two-house legislature

• banning slavery in Southern states

• requiring that the president have a cabinet

• giving the Supreme Court the power to hear cases involving states

Based on the United States Constitution, the census helps to determine the number of

• presidential candidates

• members of congressional subcommittees

• electoral votes assigned to each state

• senators from each state

Madison was one of the statesmen who wrote articles for The Federalist primarily to

• encourage rebellion against the British

• find a permanent solution to the issue of slavery

• gain support for ratifying the United States Constitution

• oppose protection of property rights in the United States Constitution

The authors of the United States Constitution established a bicameral legislature primarily because they

• wished states to retain their absolute sovereignty

• reached a compromise between the large states and the small states over representation

• hoped to weaken the power of Congress

• wanted to create an independent judiciary elected by the people

. . . My object is to consider that undefined, unbounded and immense power which is comprised [included] in the following clause—“And to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this constitution in the government of the United States; or in any department or offices thereof.” Under such a clause as this, can anything be said to be reserved and kept back from Congress? . . . 

Source: Antifederalist Papers No. 46, November 2, 1788 

The purpose of this statement was to

• give reasons to support the ratification of the Constitution

• question the power granted to Congress under the Constitution

• decide which powers would be given to the president in the Constitution

• encourage support for an amendment to limit personal taxation in the Constitution

Which provision in the Constitution is the author of this passage questioning?

• due process

• elastic clause

• equal protection

• rule of law

The judicial branch of government can check the legislative branch of government by

• vetoing bills passed by Congress

• declaring laws unconstitutional

• calling special sessions of Congress

• reducing congressional budgets

The main objection to the adoption of the United States Constitution was based primarily on the belief that

• the number of new states admitted to the Union should be limited

• individual freedoms could be restricted by a strong central government

• a separate judiciary would make the government ineffective

• slave populations gave the South too much power

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Source: First amendment, United States Constitution 1787 

What is one impact of this amendment on American society?

• Congress cannot mandate a national religion.

• Religious groups cannot lobby Congress.

• Members of the press cannot hold public office.

• The Supreme Court cannot limit free speech during wartime.