American Government - Unit 1 Quiz

What was the main purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

• To establish a monarchy in America.

• To declare the American colonies' separation from Great Britain.

• To create the Articles of Confederation.

• To ratify the U.S. Constitution.

What is the term for the act of giving official approval to the Constitution by the states?

• Federalism

• Ratification

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and Balances

What did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 accomplish?

• It established the U.S. Constitution.

• It created the first national bank.

• It set up a process for creating new states.

• It abolished slavery in all states.

What is the primary role of the United States Constitution?

• To establish social programs.

• To define the roles of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches.

• To create a system of direct democracy.

• To grant individual rights to citizens.

What was the main concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding a strong central government?

• They believed it would lead to tyranny by the wealthy.

• They wanted a monarchy instead.

• They thought it would create a perfect democracy.

• They wanted a strong executive branch.

What did the Articles of Confederation emphasize?

• A strong central government.

• The power to levy taxes.

• The sovereignty of individual states.

• A powerful executive branch.

Which key principle of the Constitution divides power between the national government and the states?

• Separation of Powers

• Federalism

• Checks and Balances

• Popular Sovereignty

What was the initial government of the United States before the Constitution?

• The Federal Government

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Constitutional Convention

• The Declaration of Independence

What event took place in 1787 to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

• The ratification of the Articles of Confederation.

• The adoption of the United States Constitution.

• The signing of the Declaration of Independence.

• The Constitutional Convention.

Why did the framers of the Constitution include a system of checks and balances?

• To limit the power of the President.

• To ensure that Congress had the final say on all matters.

• To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

• To increase the power of the judiciary.