H2 Establishment of US Government

The 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution protects the freedom of the press. Which of these statements best explains why having a free press is important?

• A free press is necessary to check the power of government.

• A free press lets people find out what celebrities are doing.

• A free press is necessary because it helps people learn how to read.

• A free press lets people find out more about community events.

What was the purpose of the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

• to make the United States of America the richest country in the world

• to establish and protect people's rights

• to make peace with the Native Americans and other native peoples

• to check and balance the powers of the three branches of government

The United States government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The main job of the executive branch is to

• make the laws.

• decide the meaning of laws.

• carry out the laws.

• write and file the laws.

Who is known as the “Father of the Constitution?”

• John Adams

• Benjamin Franklin

• George Washington

• James Madison

The Articles of Confederation had to be replaced by the Constitution of the United States. What was the major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• The federal government was too weak.

• The state governments were too weak.

• Great Britain still could make laws for the colonies.

• France did not accept the independence of the United States.

The Constitutional Convention brought people together with different ideas. One thing the people did not agree on was if slaves should be counted in the population. The Three-Fifths Compromise was to

• count all of the total population.

• count all of the slave population.

• count three-fifths of the total population.

• count three-fifths of the slave population.

Which of the following protects the right of Americans to have freedom of speech?

• 1st amendment of the Bill of Rights

• 2nd amendment of the Bill of Rights

• 3rd amendment of the Bill of Rights

• 5th amendment of the Bill of Rights

The President of the United States represents which branch of government?

• legislative

• executive

• judicial

• international

Which of the following best explains the significance of the phrase, “We the people” at the beginning of the U.S. Constitution?

• The people are able to choose the parts of the Constitution they want to follow.

• The Constitution only applies to people living in certain states.

• The powers of the government listed in the Constitution come from the people.

• The people are able to rewrite the Constitution whenever they want.

In the United States, there is a federal system of government, this means that

• Power of government is shared by the national government and the states.

• The 50 states have more power than the national government.

• Some of the more powerful states tell the other states what to do.

• National laws must be approved by all the states governments.