Constitution at Work Common Assessment 2024

Which document contains these words listed below? “ . . . We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. . . . ” Thomas Jefferson, 1776

• Declaration of Independence

• Mayflower Compact

• Treaty of Paris

• Emancipation Proclamation

What document created the first government of the US?

• US Constitution

• Magna Carta

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

The authors of the Article of Confederation established a decentralized political system mainly to

• cancel state debts incurred during the Revolutionary War

• assist the southern states in their efforts to gain a manufacturing base

• promote the common goal of national sovereignty

• prevent the abuses of power that had existed under British rule

Who held most of the power under the Articles of Confederation?

• The President

• The Supreme Court

• Congress

• The States

Which governmental problem occurred under the Articles of Confederation?

• Congress constantly overrode the President's vetoes.

• The Supreme Court issued a series of unenforceable decisions.

• The states frequently did not cooperate with each other.

• The President often ignored the advice of his Cabinet.

Base your answer to question 6 on the political cartoon below and on your knowledge of social studies. What was the main message of the cartoonist?

• The Articles of Confederation limited the power of the monarchy.

• Under the Articles of Confederation, the President has the power of the navy.

• The Articles of Confederation addressed many problems successfully.

• Under the Articles of Confederation, the United States experienced difficulties addressing many issues.

What was one of the outcomes of Shays’ Rebellion?

• It led some national leaders to call for a stronger national government.

• Daniel Shays and two others were executed.

• Settlers across the Carolina backcountry had to flee their homes.

• George Washington once again took command of the Continental Army.

Which type of document usually describes the basic structure, functions, and powers of a government?

• constitution

• resolution

• proclamation

• treaty

What was the primary reason for holding the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

• outlaw slavery in both the North and the South

• place taxes on imports and exports

• revise the Articles of Confederation

• reduce the power of the federal government

At the Constitutional Convention (1787), the Great Compromise resolved the issue of congressional representation by

• limiting the terms of elected lawmakers

• providing for direct election of senators

• creating a two-house legislature

• including the electoral college