Extra Practice US History Midterm

After declaring independence, each of the states created their own constitutions and established a republican form of government. 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

The Articles of Confederation are best described as a

• statement of principles justifying the Revolutionary War

• plan of union for the original thirteen states

• set of arguments supporting ratification of the Constitution

• list of reasons for the secession of the Southern States

Which idea had a major influence on the authors of the Articles of Confederation?

• All of the people must be granted the right to vote.

• The central government must have the power to levy taxes and to control trade.

• Three branches of government are needed to protect liberty.

• A strong central government threatens the rights of the people and the states.

Which statement best describes governmental power under the Articles of Confederation?

• Power was shared equally by the central government and the states.

• A balance of power existed between the three branches of the central government.

• A strong chief executive (President) headed a unified central government.

• The states had much greater power than the central government.

Which of the following was NOT a power of the central government under the Articles of Confederation

• conducting affairs/treaties with natives

• establishing post offices

• collecting/levying (passing) taxes

• negotiating foreign treaties

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 (was there a president?)

• provide adequate powers for the central government

• prevent the development of military rule

Under the Articles of Confederation, the years between 1781 and 1787 are often referred to as the “critical period” because the

• colonies were forced to pay high reparations to England

• states were fighting the French and Indian War

• southern states threatened to secede from the Union over the issue of slavery

• central government lacked the power to solve the nation’s problems

What was an important accomplishment (strength) of the central government under the Articles of Confederation?

• it introduced the concept of federalism

• it resulted in the elimination of debts from the Revolutionary War

• America had no foreign problems and a prosperous economy

• the development of guidelines for the admission of new states in the Northwest Territory into the Union

At the Constitutional Convention the founding fathers created a federal system of government. This is when

• the people elect national officials

• there is a division of power between national and state governments

• foreign policy is handled by state governments

Which quotation from the United States Constitution provides for a federal system of government that shows a division of power between the national and state governments?

• He shall have power . . . with the advice and consent of the Senate, . . . and . . . shall appoint . . .

• Every bill . . . shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of the United States; . . .

• The powers not delegated to the United States . . . are reserved to the states . . .

• Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.