Unit 4-Foundations Study Guide

What is the basic difference between a limited government and an unlimited government?

• A limited government restricts citizens' freedoms; an unlimited government allows citizens to act on its behalf.

• A limited government has restraints on its authority; an unlimited government has no restrictions.

• A limited government has no restrictions on its authority; an unlimited government must follow the law.

• A limited government has a permanent physical border; an unlimited government can expand its territory.

In a limited government, (a)   has the power.

• The king

• The government

• The people

• The military

Answer explanation

In a limited government, authority is derived from the consent of the governed. Therefore, the people hold the power, ensuring that the government operates within defined limits and serves their interests.

What did the Founders want to avoid by creating a limited government?

• A strong military

• High taxes

• One person having unrestricted power

• A large population

Answer explanation

The Founders aimed to prevent tyranny by limiting government power, ensuring that no single individual could wield unrestricted authority, which could lead to oppression and abuse of power.

A ____ is where a central power oversees and shares authority with the states, thus creating a limited government

Answer explanation

A federalism is a system where a central power shares authority with states, ensuring a limited government. This structure allows for both national and regional governance, balancing power effectively.

Select all the options that were Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

• They did not trust a national government so they gave power to the states

• The national government could not collect taxes

• The national government could not raise an army

• The federal government was unable to enforce laws

Answer explanation

The Articles of Confederation had several weaknesses: they limited national power, preventing tax collection, army formation, and law enforcement, reflecting a distrust in a strong national government.

What did Shays' Rebellion highlight about the Articles of Confederation?

• That everyone needed to get paid fair wages

• The fact that we needed a stronger national government

• That there should be no more taxation without representation

• There should be no more slaves

Answer explanation

Shays' Rebellion demonstrated the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation, particularly the inability to maintain order and address economic distress, highlighting the need for a stronger national government.

What idea does the Preamble Support?

• The power of the government comes from the people

• The power of the government is ruled by a dictator

• The power of the government should be given to the states

• The power of the government should be given to the monarchy

Answer explanation

The Preamble emphasizes that the government's authority is derived from the consent of the governed, highlighting the principle of popular sovereignty, which supports the idea that the power of the government comes from the people.

Match the following phrases with their meanings:

• Provide for the common defense

• Secure freedom for everyone

• Insure domestic Tranquility

• everyone should be treated fairly

• Secure the Blessings of Liberty

• To protect the nation and its citizens

• Promote the general welfare

• The well-being and prosperity of society

• Establish justice

• To ensure peace within the country

The Great Compromise introduced what concept?

• Bicameral legislature

• Direct democracy

• Federalism

• Unicameral legislature

Answer explanation

The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature, which means Congress would have two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. This structure balanced the interests of both large and small states.

The Virginia plan supported what?

• Representation by population

• Equal representation for all states

• Large states

• Western states

Answer explanation

The Virginia Plan advocated for representation based on population, favoring larger states. This meant that states with more people would have more representatives, contrasting with equal representation for all states.