Civics (Unit 6: The Legal System)

The Council of the Mohawk shall be divided into three parties . . . The third party is
to listen only to the discussion of the first and second parties, and if an error is
made or the proceeding is irregular they are to call attention to it, and when the
case is right and properly decided by the two parties they shall confirm the
decision of the two parties and refer the case to the Seneca Lords for their
decision.
The Constitution of the Iroquois NationsWhich principle of government found in the Iroquois Constitution influenced the framing of the U.S. Constitution?

• popular sovereignty

• unicameralism

• separation of powers

• federalism

In contemplating the causes which may disturb our Union, it occurs as matter of
serious concern that any ground should have been furnished for characterizing
parties by Geographical discriminations, Northern and Southern, Atlantic and
Western; whence designing men may endeavour to excite a belief that there is a
real difference of local interests and views. One of the expedients of party to
acquire influence within particular districts is to misrepresent the opinions and
aims of other districts. You cannot shield yourselves too much against the
jealousies and heart-burnings which spring from these misrepresentations; they
tend to render alien to each other those who ought to be bound together by
fraternal affection.
George Washington’s Farewell Address, 1796

How did the country′s leaders respond to George Washington′s warnings against political parties?

• His views that political parties were not mentioned in the U.S. Constitution slowed their growth for a century.

• His views were largely ignored and political parties rose in prominence to dominate the political system.

• His views on political parties created stalemates in the election process.

• His views gained enough support to prevent the formation of viable third parties

In a federal system of government, political power is primarily

• vested in the central government

• vested in the state governments

• divided between the central government and state governments

• divided between regional governments and state governments

Which aspect of the U.S. Constitution applies when a federal court overrides a state law?

• necessary and proper clause

• supremacy clause

• First Amendment

• Preamble

Which statement best describes the two-party system in the United States?

• It is a political system where two major parties dominate the political landscape.
• It is a political system where multiple parties compete equally for power.
• It is a political system where only one party is allowed to participate.
• It is a political system where voters directly elect their representatives.

Which of the following is a benefit of the two-party system in the United States?

• It promotes collaboration and compromise.
• It discourages political engagement
• It ensures the dominance of a single party
• It limits the participation of minority groups

How has the two-party system influenced the political landscape in the United States?

• It has led to a more diverse range of political ideologies.
• It has resulted in limited choices for voters
• It has decreased the influence of political parties
• It has increased voter turnout in elections

In a federal system of government, political power is primarily

• vested in the central government
• vested in the state governments
• divided between the central government and state governments
• divided between regional governments and state governments

According to media reports, in 2002 President Bush signed a secret order
authorizing the National Security Agency (NSA) to monitor overseas e-mails,
telephone calls, and other communications originating within the United States of
hundreds, and perhaps thousands, of U.S. citizens and foreign nationals without
first obtaining warrants. The administration subsequently admitted that such
warrantless surveillance was occurring and it dubbed it the Terrorist Surveillance
Program.
Gregory Nojeim, 2007According to the excerpt, how did the U.S. government change its citizens’ rights to privacy in response to the terrorist acts of 2001?

• The federal government has full authority to monitor the previously private communications of all citizens.
• State governments are now required to report electronic communications between citizens and foreign nationals.
• Local governments must monitor all citizens’ private cell phones.
• Citizens’ encrypted communications are reclassified as criminal violations of national security policy.

The importance of Shays' Rebellion on the development of the United States Constitution was that it:

• revealed the necessity of both adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution and creating a new system of checks and balances
• demonstrated the intensity of anti-ratification sentiment within the thirteen states
• indicated that a strong, constitutionally designed national government was needed to protect property and maintain order
• convinced the delegates attending the Constitutional convention to accept the Connecticut Plan