A More Perfect Union

Why were the colonists frustrated with the British government before the American Revolution?

• The government declared war on them.

• The government forced them to follow the Articles of Confederation.

• The government taxed them without paying attention to their interests.

• The government demanded they return to Great Britain.

Which of the following best describes John Locke's feelings about religion?

• He thought there should be one national religion that everyone follows.

• He believed that people should be free to practice any religion they want.

• He believed that religion should not be practiced at all.

• He thought that people should be able to practice any religion, as long as the government approved it.

What was the main question James Madison thought about when he was writing the Constitution?

• "Should the United States have an army?"

• "How many states should be in the union?"

• "Should the states protect people's natural rights?"

• "Should the states be tied together loosely or strongly?"

Which of the following best describes the Articles of Confederation?

• A document outlining how the British government ignored the colonies' rights

• The first plan for the government of the original thirteen states

• John Locke's writings on the separation of government power

• James Madison's document outlining the principles of the US government

Why did John Locke think that the powers of government should be separated between branches?

• It keeps one branch of government from gaining too much power.

• Separating power causes taxes to be lower.

• It is too much work for one branch of government to have all the power.

• It prevents the people from having a revolution.

Shay's Rebellion showed the United States that it needed _____.

• a bicameral legislature

• a president

• a war of independence

• a standing army

What is the main role of the judicial branch of government?

• It carries out the laws.

• It writes legislation.

• It interprets the Constitution.

How did the Constitution improve upon the Articles of Confederation?

• It lowered taxes.

• It put more power in the hands of the states.

• It created a stronger national government.

• It established freedom of religion.

According to Thomas Jefferson and the Enlightenment thinkers, what is the purpose of government?

• To defend people against enemies

• To protect people's natural rights

• To raise money for programs like the military

• To write laws

Why did the bigger states want the number of state representatives to be decided by the state's population?

• States with bigger populations would have to pay less taxes.

• States with smaller populations would have less responsibility.

• States with smaller populations would be the only ones that got to vote.

• States with bigger populations would get more of a say in the government.