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WorksheetsThe Constitution and Forming a New Government
Total questions: 35
Worksheet time: 20mins
Name
Class
Date
1.
A serious economic depression takes place at the end of the President’s second term. In order to fix it, the President decides to run for a third term, violating the constitution. Both the Legislative and Judicial Branches block the President from running a third time. The system that keeps one branch from gaining too much power and violating the Constitution is called what?
a)
Reside
b)
Amendment
c)
Checks and Balance
d)
Watchdogging
2.
The ___________ is the institution that officially elects the President and Vice President of the United States every four years. The President and Vice President are not elected directly by the voters. Instead, they are elected by "electors" who are chosen by popular vote on a state-by-state basis.
a)
Electoral University
b)
Electoral College
c)
Executive Branch
d)
Checks and Balance
3.
Which of the following is NOT a power of the State Governments?
a)
Establish local governments
b)
Collect taxes
c)
Conduct Elections
d)
Declare War
4.
Which of the following is NOT a power of the Federal Government?
a)
Regulate Trade within a State
b)
Declare War
c)
Coin Money
d)
Maintain Army and Navy
5.
What term means to add something, correct or to improve a document?
a)
Amendment
b)
Reside
c)
Ratify
d)
Liquid Paper
6.
All of the following were English influences for the Constitution EXCEPT.
a)
The English Magna Carta
b)
The English Bill of Rights
c)
John Locke
d)
The Quran
7.
Why did George Mason refuse to vote to ratify the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention?
a)
It did not contain the Bill of Rights.
b)
It contained the Three-Fifths Compromise.
c)
It gave too much power to large states.
d)
It did not have a system of checks and balances.
8.
The Articles of Confederation was not working for the early nation. Pick the best explanation as to why they were failing.
a)
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was able to abuse its power and began to force the states to pay unfair taxes.
b)
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had very limited power and could not enforce any rules set by the Articles of Confederation.
c)
Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress had equal power with the states and could not get anything approved.
d)
Under the Articles of Confederation, the states decided to join in an alliance with each other in order to overthrow other states.
9.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.” - Preamble to the United States Constitution, 1787
Based on the excerpt, determine which principle is best expressed by the Preamble to the Constitution
Based on the excerpt, determine which principle is best expressed by the Preamble to the Constitution
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Limited Government
c)
Social Contract
d)
Civil Rights
10.
What was the single territory created out of the Lands north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi River?
a)
Mississippi Territory
b)
Northwest Territory
c)
Ohio Territory
d)
Western Territory
11.
Article XI of the Articles of Confederation states, “Congress takes full responsibility for all debts from the American Revolution.” Describe why this Article did not work?
a)
Article XI gave no power for Congress to raise taxes to get money.
b)
The states refused to pay into the treasury; they felt that it was not their duty to pay off the debt from the American Revolution?
c)
Congress decided to ignore the debt acquired during the American Revolution.
d)
All our money went to Canada.
12.
The American Revolution brought into focus the contradiction between the American battle for liberty and
a)
The need for getting money
b)
The practice of slavery
c)
Women's right to vote
d)
The right to rebellion
13.
Constitutional Convention delegates voted to work towards a new national government based on the
a)
The New Jersey Plan
b)
The Virginia Plan
c)
The New York Plan
d)
Northwest Territory Plan
14.
The Convention delegates broke the deadlock between large and small states dealing with state representation in Congress by approving the ______.
a)
The Great Copmpromise
b)
The Two-Thirds Compromise
c)
The Three-Fifths Compromise
d)
The Washington Compromise
15.
Which state was the last to ratify the Constitution?
a)
New York
b)
New Jersey
c)
Maryland
d)
Rhode Island
16.
The branch of government that is headed by the president is called the
a)
Constitutional Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
Legislative branch
17.
The branch of government that deals with the court system is called the
a)
Constitutional Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Legislative Branch
d)
Judicial Branch
18.
After the American Revolution, most states allowed only ______ to vote.
a)
White men of any age
b)
Native Americans and women
c)
White men at least 21 years old
d)
White men and women of any age
19.
Under the federal system of government, what or who is the final authority?
a)
Court System
b)
President
c)
States
d)
Constitution
20.
Article XII of the Article of Confederation states, “All states agree to the follow the rules of the Articles and the decisions of congress and to never violate the union.” Describe why this would not work?
a)
There was no means to enforce this Article.
b)
South Carolina had already seceded from the Union.
c)
The Federal Government had no money to pay the delegates.
d)
Americans wanted to concentrate power in the hands of a single ruler.
21.
How many states needed to ratify the Constitution?
a)
7
b)
9
c)
11
d)
13
22.
James Madison and Alexander Hamilton wrote the Federalist Papers in support of the ____________.
a)
Declaration of Independence
b)
Bill of Rights
c)
Articles of Confederation
d)
Constitution
23.
“Every Man has a Property in his own Person. This no Body has any Right to but himself.” --The Second Treatise of Government
The English philosopher John Locke is stating in this excerpt his belief in
The English philosopher John Locke is stating in this excerpt his belief in
a)
The right to vote
b)
Freedom of choice
c)
The natural rights of people
d)
The right to trade enslaved people
24.
“The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America. He shall hold his office during the Term of four Years, and, together with the Vice President, chosen for the same Term, be elected, as follows.” --United States Constitution, Articles II, Section 1 (ratified 1790
According to the excerpt, how long does the vice president hold office?
According to the excerpt, how long does the vice president hold office?
a)
For Life
b)
Six Years
c)
Four Years
d)
Two Terms
25.
The framers of the Articles of Confederation did not create a strong central government because they________________.
a)
Feared an uncontrollable ruler.
b)
A. Feared indirect contact between states.
c)
A. Hoped a monarchy would arise.
d)
Believed the church would have supreme authority.
26.
Article II. Each state retains its sovereignty, freedom and independence, and every Power, Jurisdiction and right, which is not by this confederation expressly delegated to the United States, in Congress Assembled. . . Article XIII. . . . And the Articles of this confederation shall be inviolably observed by every state, and the union shall be perpetual; nor shall any alteration at any time hereafter be made in any of them; unless such alteration be agreed to in a congress of the united states, and be afterwards confirmed by the legislatures of every state.
Based on the excerpt, which conclusion can best be reached?
Based on the excerpt, which conclusion can best be reached?
a)
The states wanted to create a weak central government to prevent tyranny.
b)
A. The states believed that they lacked the authority to create a strong central government.
c)
A. The states wanted to create a weak central government so that they could leave the union.
d)
A. The states believed that they could easily create a strong central government at a later date.
27.
What does a “firm league of friendship” imply for the relationship of the states?
a)
States can pick which states they want to help.
b)
The states believed that they lacked the authority to create a strong central government.
c)
States can rely on another state only when it is beneficial for the states involved.
d)
States must unite together to protect each other for their mutual well-being.
28.
Which are the two houses of Congress?
a)
A. The House of Commons and the House of Lords.
b)
A. The Senate and the National Assembly.
c)
A. The House of Representatives and the Senate.
d)
A. The Legislative Council and the City Council.
29.
1. Resolved that it is the opinion of this Committee that a national government ought to be established consisting of a Supreme Legislature, Judiciary, and Executive. 2. Resolved that the national legislature ought to consist of Two Branches. 3. Resolved that the members of the first branch of the national Legislature ought to be elected by the People of the several States for a term of Three years . . . 4. Resolved that the members of the second Branch of the national Legislature ought to be chosen by the individual legislatures. 7. Resolved that the right of suffrage in the first branch of the national Legislature ought not to be according to the rule established in the articles of confederation, but according to some equitable ration of representation. . . - Virginia Plan, 1787
Based on the excerpt, which conclusion can best be reached?
Based on the excerpt, which conclusion can best be reached?
a)
Delegates from small states opposed the Virginia plan because resolution 1 gave too much power to the executive branch.
b)
Delegates from large states supported the Virginia plan because resolution 3 allowed the people and not the state legislatures to elect their representatives.
c)
Delegates from large states supported the Virginia plan because resolution 4 allowed them to choose their representatives in the Senate.
d)
Delegates from small states opposed the Virginia plan because resolution 7 gave too much power to the large states.
30.
What is due process?
a)
Procedures the government must follow when taking any action against a person.
b)
Requirements a foreign-born person must fulfill to become a citizen of the United States
c)
Procedures the federal government must follow when selecting a Supreme Court justice.
d)
Steps the members of the legislative branch must follow when creating laws.
31.
“You must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself.”
--James Madison
James madison introduced the Bill of Rights to protect
--James Madison
James madison introduced the Bill of Rights to protect
a)
National government.
b)
Unlimited state power.
c)
Personal liberties
d)
The Constitution.
32.
There are no term limits for
a)
Senators only
b)
The President
c)
State representatives only
d)
Both senators and representatives
33.
Roger Sherman holds a unique position in American History in that he is the only Founder who signed all four of America’s historical documents: The Articles of Association, The Declaration of Independence, The Articles of Confederation, and The Constitution.
What else is he know for?
What else is he know for?
a)
The Great Compromise.
b)
The Treaty of Paris.
c)
The Louisiana Purchase.
d)
The Monroe Doctrine.
34.
Who developed the Virginia Plan, which provides the basic framework and central ideas of the U. S. Constitution?
a)
Benjamin Franklin
b)
James Madison
c)
John Adams
d)
Thomas Jefferson
35.
“No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.”
Which amendment of the Constitution provides protection for people accused of crimes?
Which amendment of the Constitution provides protection for people accused of crimes?
a)
First Amendment.
b)
Fifth Amendment.
c)
Fourth Amendment.
d)
Ninth Amendment.
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