1.2 America’s Founding Principles

Why did the Founders want to protect the rights of the people?

• To create a monarchy

• To ensure every citizen's right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

• To establish a dictatorship

• To limit the freedoms of the citizens

What type of government did the Founders want to create?

• A monarchy

• A dictatorship

• A republican form of government

• An oligarchy

Why did the Founders think protecting due process of law was important?

• To ensure fairness in all legal matters

• To create a biased legal system

• To allow arbitrary punishment

• To limit the rights of the accused

Which of the following is an example of due process protected by the U.S. Constitution?

• The right to a biased trial

• The right to prevent self-incrimination

• The right to unlawful searches and seizures

• The right to arbitrary punishment

What is the main idea behind the concept of limited government as understood by the Founders?

• The government should have unlimited powers.

• The government should have limited powers to protect people's rights.

• The government should be able to change laws without restrictions.

• The government should control all aspects of life.

Which document starts with "We the People" and identifies securing the blessings of liberty as one of the purposes of the new government?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Bill of Rights

• The U.S. Constitution

• The Articles of Confederation

What does limited government mean in the context of the U.S.?

• The government has no rules to follow.

• The government has unlimited power.

• The government has limitations through separation of powers, checks and balances, and the rule of law.

• The government can change the Constitution at will.

Who was the English philosopher that influenced the idea of natural rights?

• Thomas Jefferson

• John Locke

• George Washington

• Benjamin Franklin

According to John Locke, what are the basic natural rights?

• Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness

• Freedom, Equality, and Justice

• Life, Liberty, and Happiness

• Freedom, Property, and the pursuit of Happiness

Which document incorporated Locke's idea that "all men are created equal"?

• The U.S. Constitution

• The Bill of Rights

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Declaration of Independence