Key Principles of the U.S. Constitution

In what year did Rhode Island ratify the Constitution?

• 1788

• 1800

• 1790

• 1776

What does 'popular sovereignty' mean?

• Power of the monarch

• Power of the states

• Power from the people

• Power of the military

What is a republic?

• A government where officials are appointed

• A government where people elect representatives

• A government ruled by a monarch

• A government without laws

Who could vote in the United States in 1788?

• Only white landowning men

• All adults

• Only women

• All property owners

Which branch of government makes the laws?

• The Legislative Branch

• The Federal Branch

• The Judicial Branch

• The Executive Branch

What principle prevents any branch of government from becoming too powerful?

• Republicanism

• Federalism

• Checks and balances

• Popular sovereignty

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

• To balance the budget of the national government

• To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful

• To ensure all states have equal power

• To check the accuracy of government spending

What is federalism?

• The power of the federal courts

• The division of powers between national and state governments

• A system of direct elections

• The process of amending the Constitution

Which of the following is a reserved power for the states?

• Printing money

• Regulating trade between states

• Establishing schools

• Declaring war

What does the Bill of Rights protect?

• Individual rights and freedoms

• The rights of the states

• The authority of the federal government

• The powers of the president