U.S. Government Quiz

What was the primary weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

• It gave too much power to the national government

• It lacked a system of checks and balances

• Congress could not enforce laws or collect taxes

• It established a strong executive branch

Under the Articles of Confederation, which branch of government existed?

• Executive

• Judicial

• Legislative

• All three branches

How many states had to agree to make changes to the Articles of Confederation?

• A simple majority

• Three-fourths

• Two-thirds

• All of them

The Constitution is best described as:

• A rulebook for the government

• A list of state laws

• A collection of presidential orders

• A guidebook for local governments

What does "Rule of Law" mean?

• The president is above the law

• Laws apply to everyone equally

• Congress has absolute authority

• Only state laws matter

What is the purpose of the "Separation of Powers"?

• To give the president unlimited power

• To divide power among different branches

• To allow Congress to control the judiciary

• To ensure one branch dominates the others

Why was the Constitutional Convention held?

• To create a stronger military

• To revise the Articles of Confederation

• To elect a new president

• To declare independence

The Great Compromise led to:

• A unicameral legislature

• A bicameral Congress with the Senate and House of Representatives

• The direct election of the president

• The abolition of slavery

The Three-Fifths Compromise determined:

• That enslaved persons counted as three-fifths of a person for representation

• That all enslaved persons would be freed

• That only free citizens could vote

• That each state received equal representation

The phrase "We the People" in the Preamble signifies:

• The idea of popular sovereignty

• A monarchy

• A dictatorship

• The rule of Congress over the people