Founding Documents

Which of the following core principles of the Declaration of Independence asserts that the power of the government ultimately comes from the people?

• Natural Rights

• Separation of Powers

• Popular Sovereignty

• Rule of Law

A significant grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence was the fact that the colonists were being taxed by the British government without having any representatives to voice their interests in Parliament. This is best described as a violation of which principle?

• The right to bear arms

• The right to a fair trial

• No taxation without representation

• Freedom of speech

The U.S. Constitution establishes a system where power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. This division is known as:

• Federalism

• Checks and Balances

• Separation of Powers

• Judicial Review

The principle of "checks and balances" in the U.S. Constitution ensures that:

• The federal government has more power than state governments.

• Each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.

• All citizens have equal representation in Congress.

• The Supreme Court has the final say on all legal matters.

Which of the following is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?

• To establish the three branches of the federal government.

• To outline the structure and functions of the Supreme Court.

• To protect individual liberties and limit the power of the federal government.

• To declare the independence of the United States from Great Britain.

The Declaration of Independence primarily focuses on:

• Establishing the framework for a new government.

• Guaranteeing specific rights to individual citizens.

• Articulating the reasons for separating from British rule.

• Defining the powers and responsibilities of each branch of government.

The U.S. Constitution differs from the Declaration of Independence in that the Constitution:

• Declares that all men are created equal.

• Lists grievances against a ruling government.

• Establishes the structure and functions of the government.

• Argues for the natural rights of individuals.

Which of the following rights protected by the Bill of Rights directly addresses a grievance listed in the Declaration of Independence regarding quartering of troops?

• The right to freedom of speech.

• The right to bear arms.

• The right to not have soldiers forcibly quartered in one's home.

• The right to a speedy and public trial.

The concept of "natural rights" as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, which includes the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, most directly influenced which aspect of the U.S. government?

• The establishment of a bicameral legislature.

• The creation of a system of federalism.

• The inclusion of the Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.

• The principle of judicial review.

Imagine a scenario where the President orders the arrest and imprisonment of a journalist who has published critical articles about the government, without any legal process. Which document and principle would most directly protect the journalist's rights in this situation?

• The Declaration of Independence, based on the principle of popular sovereignty.

• The U.S. Constitution, based on the separation of powers.

• The Bill of Rights, specifically the protection of freedom of the press and due process.

• The Articles of Confederation, which emphasized states' rights.