Topic 2 - Beginnings of American Government

What was the primary outcome of King John signing the Magna Carta in 1215?

• Resulted in the abolishment of representative government in England.

• Led to a significant increase in taxes and absolute power of the monarchy.

• Established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute and guaranteed trial by jury and due process of law to the nobility.

• Brought an end to the war between England and France.

Answer explanation

The Magna Carta established that the power of the monarchy was not absolute and guaranteed trial by jury and due process of law to the nobility.

What is the basic principle of limited government?

• Individual rights are subject to government control.

• Government can ignore established rules when necessary.

• Government has unlimited power over individuals and their rights.

• Government is restricted in what it may do, and each individual has rights that government cannot take away.

Answer explanation

Limited government is a basic principle stating that government is restricted in what it may do, and each individual has rights that government cannot take away.

What concept holds that the government must act fairly and in accord with established rules?

• Absolute power

• Monarchical discretion

• Due process

• Unrestricted governance

Answer explanation

'Due process' is the concept that holds that the government must act fairly and in accord with established rules in all that it does.

What is representative government?

• A system where public policies are made by officials appointed by the monarchy without any accountability.

• A system of government in which public policies are made by officials selected by the voters and held accountable in periodic elections.

• A system where individuals have no influence on public policies.

• A system where a single individual holds absolute power over all public policies.

Answer explanation

Representative government is a system of government in which public policies are made by officials selected by the voters and held accountable in periodic elections.

Which document challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and declared that even the monarch was subject to the laws of the land?

• The Albany Plan of Union

• The Glorious Revolution

• The Petition of Right

• The English Bill of Rights

Answer explanation

The Petition of Right document prepared by Parliament and signed by King Charles I challenged the idea of the divine right of kings and declared that even the monarch was subject to the laws of the land.

Who was known for his scientific discoveries, drafting the Declaration of Independence, and being a leading member of the Second Continental Congress?

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Adams

• Benjamin Franklin

Answer explanation

Benjamin Franklin was known for his scientific discoveries, drafting the Declaration of Independence, and being a leading member of the Second Continental Congress.

What is a bicameral legislative body composed of?

• Three chambers

• One chamber

• Four chambers

• Two chambers

Answer explanation

'Bicameral' means having two parts; describing a legislative body composed of two chambers.

What was an integral part of the political system brought by the earliest English settlers?

• French bureaucracy

• English common law

• Spanish colonial laws

• Written constitution

Answer explanation

English common law, which is unwritten, was an integral part of the political system brought by the earliest English settlers.

What is English constitutionalism based on?

• The divine right of kings

• Absolute power of the ruling elite

• Unequal rights for different classes

• Government leaders being subject to the limitations of the law

Answer explanation

English constitutionalism is based on the notion that government leaders are subject to the limitations of the law.

What idea did the English colonists believe in, which states that every individual has certain unalienable rights that government cannot take away?

• Representative Government

• Constitutionalism

• Limited Government

• Individual Worth

Answer explanation

The colonists also believed firmly in the idea of limited government, which states that every individual has certain rights—unalienable rights—that government cannot take away.