TEST - Major Constitutional Principles

The authors of the United States Constitution established a bicameral legislature primarily because they

• wished states to retain their absolute sovereignty
• reached a compromise between the large states and the small states over representation
• hoped to weaken the power of Congress
• wanted to create an independent judiciary elected by the people

European Enlightenment writers of the 17th and 18th centuries such as John Locke infl uenced America’s colonial development by providing

• justify cation for state-supported churches
• a defense of the slave trade
• arguments for monarchy and rule by divine right
• ideas about self-government and political Rights

Which statement best illustrates the meaning of federalism?

• All citizens enjoy the basic rights of freedom of speech, press, religion, and assembly.
• The Constitution delegates certain powers to the national government but reserves other powers for the states.
• The Constitution can be changed by amendments ratified by Congress.
• The House of Representatives has the power to impeach the president, and the Senate has the power to conduct an impeachment trial.

A form of government where a small group has most of the power may be referred to as

• Oligarchy
• Theocracy
• Autocracy
• Democracy

The main criticism of the Articles of Confederation was that they failed to

• allow for the admission of new states
• limit the powers of the president
• provide adequate powers for the central government
• prevent the development of military rule

“We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, . . . and secure the blessings of liberty . . . do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” This quotation from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution illustrates the principle that people

• have a right to a trial by jury
• are guaranteed an adequate standard of living
• are the true source of political power
• have the right to assemble

A nation may be described as a totalitarian state if

• the government officials are elected by the people
• the government has almost total control over people's lives
• the government is divided into three branches
• the government doesn't have enough authority to function effectively

A republican form of government is described as one in which

• there is a two-party system
• representatives are elected by the people
• elected officials have limited terms
• government power is limited by checks and balances

One way in which the Declaration of Independence and the original United States Constitution are similar is that both promote the idea of

• the consent of the governed
• equal rights for women
• voting rights for all adult citizens
• judicial review of unjust laws

Which statement from the United States Constitution is referred to as the elastic clause?

• “All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States. . . . ”
• “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion. . . . ”
• “All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives. . . . ”
• “Congress shall have power . . . to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers. . . . ”