Declaration of Independence & Constitution Quiz

Which weakness (problem) of the Articles of Confederation most limited the national government’s ability to respond to internal and external threats?

• The Articles of Confederation could easily be amended

• The national government couldn’t raise money or force states to act

• States were not allowed to print their own money

• The president could veto state laws

Why did Shays’ Rebellion convince many leaders to revise the Articles of Confederation?

• It proved the states needed more power over the national government

• It showed a strong army was unnecessary

• It revealed that the national government could not maintain order or enforce laws

• It demonstrated that the tax system worked well

One major achievement of the government under the Articles of Confederation was—

• settling the national debt with Britain

• passing the Northwest Ordinance to organize western territories

• creating a strong executive branch

• allowing for independent state governments

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787 is significant because it—

• allowed slavery in all new territories

• set a process for admitting new states as equals to the original 13 states

• required territories to pay higher federal taxes

• banned public education in the territories

At the Constitutional Convention, the Great Compromise resolved a disagreement between large and small states by—

• creating a single-house legislature based on population

• granting each state equal votes in both houses of Congress

• combining ideas from the Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan

• giving the president power to appoint members of Congress

Which statement BEST explains the significance of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

• The compromise helps determine the number of senators that each state would get

• While the compromise increased southern states’ political power, it didn’t improve conditions for slaves

• By counting 3 out of every 5 slaves, southern states’ tax burdens decreased

• The compromise had little effect on the political dynamics of the country

Which principle of government is best illustrated by Congress making laws, the president enforcing laws, and the courts interpreting laws?

• Federalism

• Popular sovereignty

• Separation of powers

• Limited government

The President vetoing (rejecting) a bill passed by Congress is an example of—

• checks and balances

• republicanism

• individual rights

• judicial review

Which responsibility belongs primarily to the legislative branch?

• Negotiating treaties with foreign nations

• Declaring war and passing the government budget

• Interpreting the Constitution

• Enforcing federal laws

The power of judicial review allows the Supreme Court to—

• approve presidential cabinet members

• strike down laws that violate the Constitution

• command the armed forces

• levy federal taxes