US History Topic 4 Test Review

Which of the following are examples of Republicanism, as set forth by the Constitution? (5.1.8.C)

• Citizens elect representatives to carry out their will
• The federal government has the power to coin money and declare war
• The government is divided into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
• Representatives vote according to what constituents want and cannot use their own opinions

How did John Locke’s Two Treatises of Government contribute to the civil rights protections included in the U.S. Constitution? (5.1.8.C.)

Answer explanation

Locke argued that all people (from birth!) had rights to life, liberty, and property. We saw those ideas in the Bill of Rights! The ideas of John Locke are why we consider the Constitution to be an agreement between the American people and our government. This is connected to the idea of popular sovereignty.

Read Chief Justice John Marshall’s opinion in the case Marbury v. Madison (1803). “It is emphatically the province and duty of the Judicial Department to say what the law is. Those who apply the rule to particular cases must, of necessity, expound [explain] and interpret that rule. If two laws conflict with each other, the Courts must decide on the operation of each. So, if a law be in opposition to the Constitution, if both the law and the Constitution apply to a particular case, so that the Court must either decide that case conformably [corresponds] to the law, disregarding the Constitution, or conformably to the Constitution, disregarding the law, the Court must determine which of these conflicting rules governs the case. . .” How does Chief Justice Marshall’s opinion reflect the role of the judicial branch in government? (5.1.8.D.)

• His opinion confirms that the branch should disregard laws in order to strictly follow the content of the Constitution
• His opinion maintains that the judicial branch shall confer with the other branches in its interpretation of the laws
• His opinion gives power to the judicial branch to declare two opposing laws as equally constitutional on their own merits
• His opinion demonstrates the need for the judicial branch to decide how laws are applied on a case-by-case basis

Which statement reflects the ideas from the Magna Carta that influenced the writing of the U.S. Constitution? (5.1.8.D.)

• People have the right to give their general consent to any new taxes
• People have the right to a trial by jury and to own private property
• People have the right to remove elected officials if they abuse their power
• People have the right to bear arms and not be imprisoned without being charged

Which aspects of the U.S. Constitution drew inspiration from the English Bill of Rights? (5.1.8.D.)

• encouraging citizenship and the common good
• officials and leaders must also obey the law
• regularly held elections of officials
• the right of carpe diem

How does the Constitution reflect the principle of popular sovereignty? (5.1.8.D.)

• by limiting the amount of power of the government
• by placing protections on the civil rights of the nation's citizens
• by implementing safeguards against the abuse of power
• by allowing the people to choose their representatives

Read the excerpt from the U.S. Constitution. “The Migration or Importation of such Persons as any of the States now existing shall think proper to admit, shall not be prohibited by the Congress prior to the Year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a Tax or duty may be imposed on such Importation, not exceeding ten dollars for each Person.” What is the main idea of this clause? (5.1.8.D.)

• Congress may not restrict the importation of slaves until 1808
• Congress can require a tax from immigrants coming to the United States before 1808
• Congress may allow states, who pay a $10 tax, the right to import slaves
• Congress is prohibited from placing any restrictions on imports and migration

Which of the following groups gained greater political rights when amendments were added to the Constitution? (5.1.8.D.)

• American Indians
• African Americans
• Asian Americans
• Hispanic Americans

Why is it important for people to serve on juries when they are called upon to do so? (5.2.8.A)

• Serving on a jury protects the rights of someone accused of a crime
• Serving on a jury ensures that lawyers provide adequate counsel to all defendants
• Serving on a jury helps prevent a defendant from receiving a punishment considered cruel and unusual
• Serving on a jury provides all Americans with an opportunity to fulfill at least one of their civic duties

Which statement best describes the principle of civic virtue and why it was important to the Founding Fathers? (5.2.8.A.)

• The concept of identifying who are the most qualified to run for and lead political offices
• The idea of sacrifice for others and being willing to think of what's best for society, not just themselves
• The idea of organizing groups that will watch the government and keep it from getting too powerful
• The concept of helping everyone pursue their dreams and encouraging everyone to try