Unit #1 Foundations of US Government

The Enlightenment thinker John Locke is best known for his ideas about:

• Separation of powers

• Natural Rights

• Checks and balances

• Popular sovereignty

Which Enlightenment philosopher argued for a government with a separation of powers?

• Thomas Hobbes

• John Locke

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• Baron de Montesquieu

Which term best describes the concept that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people?

• Separation of powers

• Popular sovereignty

• Social contract

• Natural rights

Which of the following best defines natural rights?

• Rights granted by a monarch

• Rights that can be modified by the government

• Rights inherent to all human beings

• Rights granted by the constitution

The principle of limited government is intended to:

• Expand the powers of the federal government

• Ensure the government can operate without restrictions

• Restrict the powers of government to protect individual rights

• Allow the executive branch to act independently

Representative government is characterized by:

• Citizens voting directly on all laws

• Elected officials representing the interests of the people

• A monarchy with advisory councils

• A government controlled by a small group of elites

The Declaration of Independence states that governments are instituted among men to secure which of the following?

• Economic prosperity

• Social equality

• Natural rights

• Political power

According to the Declaration of Independence, from where do governments derive their just powers?

• The military

• Divine right

• The consent of the governed

• Hereditary succession

Which of the following was a significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• It established a strong central government

• It lacked the power to levy taxes

• It created a powerful executive branch

• It allowed for easy amendment of the document

Which of the following was a power granted to Congress under the Articles of Confederation?

• Regulate interstate commerce

• Declare war

• Levy direct taxes on citizens

• Enforce laws