Understanding American Government Foundations

What was the Virginia House of Burgesses?

• A type of colonial home built in Virginia

• The first representative assembly in the American colonies

• A British military fort located in Virginia

• A trading company that operated in colonial America

What document did the Pilgrims sign in 1620 that established a form of self-government for their colony?

• The Declaration of Independence

• The U.S. Constitution

• The Mayflower Compact

• The Bill of Rights

What is the main purpose of the system of checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution?

• To allow the President to make all decisions for the country

• To ensure that one branch of government does not become too powerful

• To give the Supreme Court control over Congress

• To allow states to override federal laws

Which of the following is one of the main purposes of the Declaration of Independence?

• To create a new system of taxes for the colonies

• To establish the three branches of government

• To explain why the colonies were separating from Britain

• To outline the rules for electing a president

What does the phrase "one nation, under God" mean in the Pledge of Allegiance?

• The United States is divided into many separate nations

• The United States is a single, unified country that values faith

• Only religious citizens can pledge allegiance to the flag

• The government is controlled by religious leaders

Why is it important for citizens to participate in civic affairs at the local, state, and national levels?

• Because the government requires all citizens to attend every meeting

• Because participation helps ensure that the government represents the needs and voices of the people

• Because only citizens who participate are allowed to pay taxes

• Because civic participation is only important during wartime

How did the Mayflower Compact and the Virginia House of Burgesses both reflect the idea of representative government in the American colonies?

• Both documents gave the King of England more power over the colonies

• Both allowed colonists to have a voice in making the rules and laws that governed them

• Both were created to establish trade agreements with other countries

• Both were written by British Parliament to control the colonies

Which of the following is an example of the system of checks and balances in action?

• The President appoints all members of Congress

• The Supreme Court can declare a law passed by Congress unconstitutional

• The Senate can remove the President without any reason

• Congress can change the Constitution without approval from the states

The Declaration of Independence states that all people have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness." How does this idea connect to the colonists' decision to break away from Britain?

• The colonists believed Britain was helping them achieve these rights

• The colonists felt that British rule was denying them these basic rights, so they sought independence

• The colonists wanted to give these rights only to wealthy landowners

• The colonists believed these rights were only meant for British citizens

When reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, what does the word "allegiance" mean, and how does it apply to a citizen's relationship with the United States?

• Allegiance means disagreement, showing that citizens can oppose the government

• Allegiance means loyalty and commitment, showing that citizens are devoted to their country

• Allegiance means payment, showing that citizens must pay taxes to the government

• Allegiance means freedom, showing that citizens can do whatever they want