Foundations of Government Review

The people of a nation elect officials to govern them in a(n)

• direct democracy
• absolute monarchy
• dictatorship
• representative democracy

Historically, direct democracies have worked well for

• most communities, large or small
• small communities
• medium to large communities
• new countries

The form of government found in the United States is sometimes called

• a constitutional alliance
• a monarchy
• a republic
• a traditional democracy

The voters in a community who elect other people (representatives) to run the government for them is called a

• representative democracy
• dictatorship
• absolute monarchy
• direct democracy

Which of the following statements regarding government is false?

• Governments make it possible for large groups of people to live together peacefully
• Some form of government is found in every society
• Most governments are designed to control all aspects of citizens' lives
• A government's most important laws are stated in its constitution

Who was the author of the Declaration of Independence?

• George Washington
• Thomas Jefferson
• Abraham Lincoln
• James Madison

What are the TWO reasons why the Declaration of Independence is important? (Both reasons must be selected in order for the question to be correct.)

• states that the purpose of government is to protect human rights.
• explained the reasons the thirteen colonies separated from Great Britain.
• provides the blueprint of a government for the new United States.
• objects to the idea that the power of the government comes from the consent of the governed.

Complete the following statement. Under the Articles of Confederation...

• each state had one vote in the lawmaking house.
• a president carried out the nation's laws
• a national court system interpreted the nation's laws
• the nation had a strong central government

The writers of the Articles of Confederation gave all the power to

• the new federal government
• a small group of leaders of the national government
• the states
• their own individual powers within the new government

Why was it difficult for Congress to pass laws under the Articles of Confederation?

• passage required the votes of 9 out of the 13 states.
• passage required a unanimous vote.
• the government did not have a legislature.
• Americans were content (happy) to follow British laws.