Unit 1 Test - Background to American History

Which statement best summarizes the main idea behind all three amendments?

• Even persons accused of a crime enjoy certain basic rights.

• Criminal defendants must be fully prosecuted.

• Criminal acts should lead to the loss of a person's liberty.

• Accused persons are usually guilty of committing some crime.

The Bill of Rights was added to the U.S. Constitution primarily to —

• provide the President with power in times of emergency

• establish fair and impartial elections

• protect individual liberties

• guarantee voting privileges to minorities

Which guarantees freedom of the press, freedom of speech, and freedom of religion to individuals in the United States?

• The Treaty of Paris of 1783

• The Articles of Confederation

• The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

• The Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution

Which two individuals who played a role in the American Revolution are described in the table above?

• John Trumbull, Sr. and Charles Carroll of Carrollton

• Benjamin Rush and John Witherspoon

• John Hancock and Benjamin Rush

• Alexis de Tocqueville and John Peter Muhlenberg

Which of the following was an important characteristic of American society as noted by Alexis de Tocqueville in 1831–1832?

• federalism

• imperialism

• populism

• isolationism

Which has been an important limitation on the power of eminent domain found in the Fifth Amendment?

• The reciting of prayers in public schools has been prohibited.

• There must be a "clear and present danger" before it can be exercised.

• Individuals accused of committing crimes are protected from abusive behavior by the police.

• Governments must provide "reasonable compensation" when taking a person's property.

Which of the following words are part of the Declaration of Independence?

• "They are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

• "All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States."

• "No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner."

• "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof."

Which action would be protected by the First Amendment?

• A reporter publishes an article critical of city officials.

• A man on trial refuses to testify against himself.

• A woman asks to see a lawyer before answering questions from the police.

• A family refuses to permit soldiers to be housed in their home.

Which individual expressed the views stated in this passage? "As one digs deeper into the national character of the Americans, one sees that they have sought the value of everything in this world only in the answer to this single question: how much money will it bring in?"

• Benjamin Rush

• John Witherspoon

• Hector St. John de Crevecoeur

• Alexis de Tocqueville

In the United States, illegally obtained evidence cannot be used in a court of law against someone. This rule is based on an individual's constitutional right to —

• face accusers in open court

• be protected against double jeopardy

• a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury

• protection against unreasonable searches and seizures