Quizziz SS.8.CG.1.4 (Assessment #s)

Which foundational principle is reflected in the creation

of three branches of government?

• natural rights 

• social contract 

• separation of powers 

• consent of the governed 

Answer explanation

Having branches of government, each with their own structure, function, and 

responsibilities, ensures a separation of power.

A is incorrect because natural rights focuses on rights that individuals are born with and may not be given or taken away by governments, which is not reflected by three branches of government.

B is incorrect becuase social contract focuses on the relationship between the public and government, which is not reflected by three branches of government.

D is incorrect because consent of the governed focuses on the relationship between the public and government, which is not reflected by three branches of government.

This image shows the structure of the U.S. government. 

Which Enlightenment idea is represented by this image?

• separation of powers 

• checks and balances 

• social contract 

• natural law 

Answer explanation

The three branches of government are separated in the image.

B is incorrect because checks and balances shape interaction among branches. There is no evidence of interaction among branches in the image.

C is incorrect because social contract focuses on the relationship between the public and government, which is not represented in the image.

D is incorrect because natural law focuses on the rights of individuals, which is not represented in the image.

Which characteristic of the U.S. government was developed from Montesquieu’s

idea that no single branch should be more powerful than another?

• rule of law 

• natural law 

• social contract 

• separation of powers 

Answer explanation

The question is referring to the Enlightenment idea of separation of powers. Separation of powers is the idea that each of the three branches of government has separate and distinct powers that prevent any one branch from becoming more powerful than another.

A is incorrect because the question is not referring to rule of law, which is the idea that government is accountable to the law and no one is above the law.

B is incorrect because the question is not referring to natural law. Natural law is the idea that humans are born with rights granted by God that humans (including government) may not violate or take away.

C is incorrect because the question is not referring to social contract, which is the idea that a voluntary agreement exists between citizens and the government.

These statements are from the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights. 

1. That in all capital or criminal prosecutions a man hath a right to demand… evidence in his favor, and to a speedy trial by an impartial jury… 

2. That the legislative, executive, and judiciary department shall be separate and distinct… 

3. That the freedom of the press is one of the great bulwarks of liberty, and can never be restrained… 

4. That a well regulated militia, composed of the body of people, trained to arms, is the proper, natural, and safe defense of a free state… 

Which statement reflects the Enlightenment ideas of government as expressed by Montesquieu?

• 1

• 2

• 3

• 4

Answer explanation

This statement describes Montesquieu’s Enlightenment idea that each branch of government, or “department,” should be separate (separation of powers) in order to limit the power of government as a whole.

A is incorrect because the rights to a speedy trial and trial by jury are individual liberties, they are not beliefs about government.

C is incorrect because freedom of the press is not an idea of government, freedom of the press is an individual liberty.

D is incorrect because the right to a militia was not an Enlightenment idea.

This quote is from a historical document. 

A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. 

How does this quote reflect the influence of Enlightenment ideas on the Founding Fathers?

• They had reservations 

  about self-government

• They were concerned with property rights

• They supported individual liberties

• They created a limited 

  monarchy

Answer explanation

The Founding Fathers’ support for individual liberties is reflected in the quote because of the claim that tyrants (people who abuse power) are unfit to lead free people.

A is incorrect because the Founding Fathers pursued self-government once they declared 

independence.

B is incorrect because while the Founding Fathers were concerned with property rights, the quote does not reflect these concerns.

D is incorrect because the Founding Fathers created a political system that avoided monarchy of any type.

This is a newspaper headline. 

Which Enlightenment idea is represented by this headline

• separation of powers 

• checks and balances 

• social contract 

• natural law 

Answer explanation

Social contract focuses on the 

relationship between government and the people. The headline suggests that the people strongly approve of the government (specifically, the president).

A is incorrect because separation of powers is the organization of government to keep legislative, executive, and judicial powers separated.

B is incorrect because checks and balances outline the relationship between branches of government so that no one branch becomes too powerful.

D is incorrect because natural law focuses on the inherent rights of the people. Support for a person holding office does not relate to natural law.

Which right is an example of an Enlightenment idea?

• First Amendment right to free speech

• Second Amendment right to bear arms

• Fifth Amendment right to not incriminate yourself

• Third Amendment right to avoid quartering soldiers

Answer explanation

Freedom of speech allows persons to participate in the social contract by giving them the freedom to communicate with the 

government.

B is incorrect because the right to bear arms does not relate to the social contract, natural law, or separation of powers.

C is incorrect because protection from self-incrimination does not relate to separation of powers, natural law, or the social contract.

D is incorrect because freedom from quartering soldiers does not relate to the social contract, natural law, or separation of powers.

How are the Enlightenment ideas that influenced the

Founding Fathers reflected in modern institutions?

• Colonies have been 

  re-established to preserve popular sovereignty.

• Oligarchies have increased to safeguard natural rights.

• The United Nations 

  promotes universal human rights.

• The European Union 

  encourages economic 

  stability.

Answer explanation

The United Nations promotes universal human rights, which includes the protection of natural law.

A is incorrect because colonists are subject to their ruling government, which means that they cannot experience popular sovereignty.

B is incorrect because Oligarchies are structured in a way that results in failure to protect natural rights.

D is incorrect because economic stability is not related to natural law, separation of powers or the social contract.

This is a statement from the Constitution of Massachusetts (1780). 

The body politic is formed by a voluntary association of individuals; …. which the whole people covenants with each citizen and each citizen with the whole people that all shall be governed by certain laws for the common good. 

Which principle expressed in this statement influenced the Founding Fathers when they wrote the Constitution?

• separation of powers 

• social contract 

• rule of law 

• natural law 

Answer explanation

The passage describes the voluntary agreement between people and a government (social contract).

A is incorrect because the passage does not describe the separation of powers into three distinct branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial.

C is incorrect because the passage does not describe the theory that the government is accountable to and transparent under the law.

D is iIncorrect because the passage does not describe natural law, the idea that people are born with certain rights granted by God that may not be violated by the government.