Unit 2 Review

The Declaration of Independence blamed the King of England for many of the problems in the colonies. How did this viewpoint impact the establishment of both the federal and state governments after the American Revolution?

• The governments limited the chief executive's term in office to one year.

• The governments allowed for the election of more than one chief executive.

• The governments established a judicial branch to monitor and restrict the actions of the chief executive.

• The governments put the majority of power in the hands of a legislative body rather than a chief executive.

Read this excerpt from the Declaration of Independence. What impact did the idea in this excerpt have on the creation of the new American government?

• The new government included a rule allowing states to secede.

• The new government set strict regulations on the use of slave labor.

• The new government was limited and based on the will of the people.

• The new government had a strong chief executive to carry out the laws.

Use the diagram below to answer the question. Which of these best completes the graphic?

• Government leaders began arguing for changes to the Articles of Confederation.

• Citizens began demanding the removal of property qualifications for voting in Massachusetts.

• Abolitionists began arguing for the removal of slavery from northern states.

• Business leaders began demanding protection by the Massachusetts militia.

Based on the chart, how did the Constitution address the dissatisfaction with the government under the Articles of Confederation?

• It strengthened the sovereignty of the states.

• It granted greater power to the federal government.

• It made national defense the top priority of the government.

• It required all thirteen states to agree in order to make changes.

Members of the Rhode Island General Assembly sent this letter to Congress in 1788 to outline the reasons why they refused to ratify the Constitution. What fears about the early American government are reflected in this letter?

• A centralized government would force states to give up their liberty.

• A centralized government would never be strong enough to protect the nation.

• The new government would face constant attack from outsiders.

• The thirteen states would never be in complete agreement.

An anti-federalist would most likely agree with which statement regarding the United States Constitution before its ratification?

• The document is perfect just as it is written.

• The document needs to give more power to the federal government.

• The document does not do enough to protect the rights of individual citizens.

• The document will be a benefit to the nation.

Based on the Preamble to the United States Constitution, which statement is true regarding power in the United States government?

• The chief executive holds the majority of the government's power.

• The state governments have power over the federal government.

• The national government is sovereign over its citizens.

• The government's power comes from its citizens.

Concepts such as checks and balances, separation of powers, and federalism were included in the Constitution for what purpose?

• to protect the individual rights of citizens

• to ensure that all citizens could participate in the democratic process

• to keep states from having more power than the federal government

• to prevent the government from becoming too powerful

Why did the anti-Federalists support the 9th and 10th Amendments?

• The amendments denied individuals the right to challenge state governments.

• The amendments created a system of checks and balances over federal authority.

• The amendments established limits on federal powers over people and states.

• The amendments limited legislative powers granted to local governments.

Use the information in the chart to answer the question. What was the impact of this compromise on the functioning of the U.S. government?

• It meant that smaller states had a greater voice than larger states in the federal government.

• It permitted governors of smaller states an opportunity to exert pressure on Congress.

• It gave smaller states more input than larger states in the selection of presidential candidates.

• It allowed smaller states to have as much power as larger states in one house of Congress.