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EARLY AMERICAN GOVERNMENT

Total questions: 128

Worksheet time: 3hrs 0mins

Name
Class
Date
1.
Which of the following provided the model for the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution?
a)
Mayflower Compact
b)
English Bill of Rights
c)
Magna Carta
d)
Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
2.
Democracy is a Greek word for
a)
rule of the leader
b)
rule of the people
c)
no government
d)
rule by a monarch
3.
What is another name for a representative democracy?
a)
direct democracy
b)
dictatorship
c)
republic
d)
monarchy
4.
Granted rights to all English citizens.  
a)
English Bill of Rights 
b)
Magna Carta 
c)
John Locke
d)
Montesquieu 
5.
Document drafted and approved by Parliament further limiting the power of the monarchy.  
a)
Athens
b)
Rome
c)
English Bill of Rights 
d)
Magna Carta 
6.

The English Bill of Rights protected the right to

a)

never be taxed

b)

be paid for serving on a jury

c)

a fair trial when accused of a crime

d)

serve as king for life

7.

Decision making that gave all people an equal voice

a)

Direct Democracy

b)

Consensus

c)

Representative Democracy

d)

Anarchy

8.

True or false: No one can be denied a fair trial or speedy trial in England because of the Magna Carta.

a)

True

b)

False

9.

Which of these does the Judicial Branch do?

a)

Settle legal disputes.

b)

Protect majority rights.

c)

Invade small countries.

d)

Get oil.

10.
What is the job of the Legislative Branch?
a)
To make laws
b)
To enforce laws
c)
To interpret laws
d)
To be bossy
11.
True/False:  The President can "check" the Judicial Branch by appointing justices to the Supreme Court.
a)
True
b)
False
12.
Which branch is divided into the House and the Senate?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
13.
What branch is having its power checked when...
Congress impeaches a president?
a)
Legislative Branch
b)
Executive Branch
c)
Judicial Branch
d)
none
14.
An important right and responsibility of all citizens is to
a)
obey traffic laws
b)
vote in elections
c)
pay taxes
d)
serve on a jury
15.
Duties of citizens are ___________ but responsibilities are ____________.
a)
important/unimportant
b)
optional/required
c)
for males/for females
d)
required/optional
16.

A synonym for freedom is

a)

democracy

b)

liberty

c)

republic

d)

veto

17.

Democracy means

a)

Everyone gets to vote

b)

A written set of laws

c)

To choose by voting

d)

Government by the people

18.

What idea did we take from Rome?

a)

writing down laws

b)

democracy

c)

wearing togas

d)

veto

19.

What was the issue that drove the colonists to rebel?

a)

They didn't like the king's governors

b)

They weren't allowed to write constitutions

c)

No taxation without representation

d)

They didn't get to vote for the king

20.

Federalism: A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have authority over the same land and people.

Which fact about American government reflects the above definition of federalism?

a)

Power is divided among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

b)

Private organizations in the United States do much of the work that is performed by local governments in other countries.

c)

Citizens in the United States are subject to both state and federal laws.

d)

Citizens in the United States have a right to protection from intrusion into their private affairs.

21.

In the United States, what occurs when state and national laws are in conflict?

a)

The state law is enforced.

b)

The national law is enforced.

c)

The state decides which law to enforce.

d)

The public holds a referendum to decide which law should be enforced.

22.

The primary purpose of the Bill of Rights was to

a)

limit the spread of slavery in the United States

b)

limit the power of the federal government

c)

establish judicial review

d)

allot specific powers to the states

23.

At the Constitutional Convention, there was a major debate between large states and small states about representation in the new Congress. This debate was resolved by the Connecticut Compromise, which said that

a)

the number of citizens in a state would determine how many seats that state had in Congress, but slaves and other noncitizens would not be counted for this purpose

b)

Congress would have two houses in which the number of seats a state had in each house was based on its population

c)

Congress would have two houses, one in which state representation was based on population and one in which all states had equal representation

d)

Congress would be made up of two houses in which all states had an equal number of representatives in each house

24.

Three out of five slaves are counted towards a state's population. Which of the following was this?

a)

Great Compromise

b)

Federalism

c)

Three-Fifths Rule

d)

Constitutional Convention

25.

Which branch can Interprets the laws?

a)

Judicial

b)

Legislative

c)

Executive

d)

Federalism

26.

This branch makes laws

a)

Executive

b)

Legislative

c)

Judicial

d)

Congress

27.

The form of government before the constitution

a)

Articles of Confederation

b)

Confederation of Articles

c)

Constitution

d)

Bill of Rights

28.

Which of these could things could Congress do under the Articles of Confederation

a)

Tax people

b)

Set an army

c)

Could not make treaties

d)

Print & Borrow $$$

29.

This amendment is the freedom Amendment.

a)

1st Amendment

b)

2nd Amendment

c)

3rd Amendment

d)

4th Amendment

30.

The first 10 Amendments were called the ____ __ ______

a)

US rules

b)

10 rights

c)

FOLLOW THESE RULES OR ELSE

d)

The Bill of Rights

31.

The Articles of Confederation created a _____ government

a)

Strong

b)

Weak

c)

Big

d)

Small

32.

What's the strongest branch of government

a)

Executive

b)

Judicial

c)

Legislative

d)

The Constitution

e)

None of the branches are the strongest

33.

The Great Compromise was for this branch

a)

Legislative Branch

b)

Judicial Branch

c)

Tree Branch

d)

Executive Branch

e)

EZ Money Corporation Branch

34.

With the Articles of Confederation who had the most power

a)

Congress

b)

The people

c)

The states

d)

The Antarctic Army

35.

The vice-president is in this branch

a)

Legislative

b)

Judicial

c)

Executive

d)

1st Amendment

36.

Laws are

a)

suggestions the government creates to help the people.

b)

rules and standards a country uses to govern itself

c)

made for only people who know them to follow.

d)

always the same regardless of the situation.

37.

True or false. The founders believed that the people needed a government to protect their rights to life, liberty and property.

a)

True

b)

False

38.

What was the Bill of Rights?

a)

the first 10 Amdmets

b)

The rights of a bill

c)

The first 10 Amendments

39.

The 1st Amendment was when you could have freedom of ___________ or_________.

a)

Press or fair

b)

Speech or rights

c)

Search or goods

d)

Press or speech

40.

The Bill of Rights was added to the constitution because .....

a)

the people wanted more laws like they had back in England when their families was ruled by a King.

b)

the founders forgot to make changes to the final copy of the

constitution.

c)

many Americans demanded that it be added to protect the rights of individual people.

d)

Parliament didn't approve the constitution without the Bill of Rights.

41.

True or False? The Articles of Confederation said that Congress could make the states cooperate.

a)

True

b)

False

42.

What was the Constitutional Convention?

a)

Delegates gathered to change the way the American government worked.

b)

Wanted to give Congress more power.

c)

Wanted to protect the rights of the people.

d)

All of the above

43.

The First Amendment is about ......

a)

guarantees freedom of religion,speech,press,petition,and assembly.

b)

protects people,their homes or their belongings from unresanable searches or seizures.

c)

people having more power than the government.

44.

The Legislative Branch ________________ laws.

a)

interprets laws

b)

makes laws

c)

enforces laws

45.

The Executive Branch ______________the laws.

a)

makes

b)

interprets

c)

enforces

46.

The Judicial Branch _______________the laws.

a)

makes

b)

creates

c)

enforces

d)

interprets

47.

What is the three-fifths rule?

a)

three out of six slaves are counted toward states population

b)

two out of four slaves are counted to the states population

c)

three out of fifthteen slaves are counted to the states population

d)

three out of five slaves are counted to the states population

48.

How does the Judicial Branch checks other branches?

a)

Declare a law passed by Congress unconstitutional

b)

Declare the president's actions unconstitutional

c)

all of the choices

49.

What was the first document to establish a central U.S. government?

a)

Declaration of Independence

b)

Constitution

c)

Bill of Rights

d)

Articles of Confederation

50.

The U.S. is a republic

a)

True

b)

False

51.

Since the Constitution was ratified, it has only been amended 27 times

a)

True

b)

False

52.

Prevents the government from requiring officials to practice a certain religion

a)

Article 1

b)

Article 4

c)

Article 6

d)

Article 9

53.

Fraction of Congress or states needed to propose Constitutional amendments and fraction of states or state conventions needed to ratify amendments

a)

2/3; >1/2

b)

3/4; 2/3

c)

1/2; >1/2

d)

2/3; 3/4

54.

In over half of the states, the lawmaking body is

a)

unicameral body called the "legislature"

b)

unicameral body called the "general assembly"

c)

bicameral body called the "legislature"

55.

The earliest state constitutions

a)

gave great authority to governors

b)

were modeled on colonial charters

c)

gave authority to everyone

56.

In most states, final approval of amendments to the state constitution must be made by the

a)

voters

b)

president

c)

state legislature

57.

To whom does the constitution give the power to set suffrage qualifications?

a)

the states

b)

the courts

c)

us..I guess?

58.

What is an amendment?

a)

An addition or change to the constitution

b)

something that has to do with the law

59.

Which are branches or parts of the government?

a)

legislative

b)

congress

c)

me

60.

To approve

a)

ratify

b)

citizen

c)

musket

61.

A member of a state

a)

U.S Constitution

b)

James Madison

c)

citizen

62.

The introduction of a document

a)

preamble

b)

adopt

c)

Constitutional Convention

63.

Laws of the United States

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

U.S. Constitution

c)

preamble

64.

Father of the Constitution

a)

Bill of Rights

b)

Founding Fathers

c)

James Madison

65.

A meeting held in 1787 over the Constitution

a)

Constitutional Convention

b)

preamble

c)

citizen

66.

Men who wrote the Constitution

a)

Founding Fathers

b)

musket

c)

ratify

67.

A long gun used during the 1700's

a)

musket

b)

adopt

c)

preamble

68.

To choose and follow

a)

adopt

b)

Bill of Rights

c)

U.S. Constitution

69.

All of the following documents limited governmental power, guaranteed rights, and influenced the creation of American government EXCEPT:

a)

Magna Carta

b)

Petition of Right

c)

Treaty of Tordesillas

d)

English Bill of Rights

70.

What was the main purpose behind attempts at government in the American colonies, such as the New England Confederation and the Albany Plan of Union?

a)

to protest British government and move for independence

b)

to protect citizens against attacks from Native Americans and the French

c)

to create a government that would guarantee basic rights to citizens of the colonies

d)

to protest taxes and encourage boycotts of British goods

71.

Which of the following was responsible for planning and funding the war effort of the American colonies, declaring independence, and was essentially the first government of the United States?

a)

Albany Plan of Union

b)

First Continental Congress

c)

Second Continental Congress

d)

Stamp Act Congress

72.

Which of these was true of the Articles of Confederation?

a)

It only created one branch of government, the legislative branch.

b)

Three branches of government, separate with a system of checks and balances, were created for government function.

c)

Representation for each state was based on a bicameral Congress, with two senators and representatives based on a state's population.

d)

The government was granted the power to tax and regulate trade between the states and with foreign nations.

73.

In order to pass a law under the Articles of Confederation, how many states had to agree to pass the law?

a)

A simple majority of 7 of 13 states

b)

9 of the 13 states

c)

All 13 states had to agree to pass law

d)

The government did not have the power to pass laws

74.

What event led representatives of the states to decided that the Articles of Confederation needed to be fixed and that a meeting would be held in May 1787 to fix them?

a)

An attack by the British could not be repelled because states refused to send troops

b)

An attack by the French could not be repelled because states refused to send troops

c)

An economic depression where the government could not pay for basic services because they did not have the power to tax

d)

Shays' Rebellion, a group of farmers protesting foreclosures on their farms, could not be immediately stopped because the government could not gather enough troops

75.

Which of the following best describes the Virginia Plan, proposed at the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787?

a)

A government with representation based on population, three branches of government, and a bicameral legislature

b)

A government with equal representation of the states in a unicameral legislature, the power to tax and regulate trade, and a plural executive

c)

Representation based on population, but slaves would only be counted as three-fifths of a person

d)

The government was prohibited from taxing exports of states and from interfering in the international slave trade until 1808

76.

Which of the following best describes the Connecticut Compromise, proposed at the Constitutional Convention in the summer of 1787?

a)

The government was prohibited from taxing exports of states and from interfering in the international slave trade until 1808

b)

Representation based on population, but slaves would only be counted as three-fifths of a person

c)

The legislatures would be bicameral, with a House of Representatives based on population and a Senate based on equal representation, the power to tax and regulate trade, and the creation of three branches of government

d)

The Constitutional Convention would be dissolved with the hope that the states would reconvene at a later date to fix the Articles of Confederation

77.

What was the main argument against the Constitution by Anti-Federalists?

a)

It lacked a Bill of Rights.

b)

It granted too much power to the president.

c)

The electoral college was too confusing and would cause problems during presidential elections.

d)

It gave the government too much power to tax.

78.

How many states were required to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect?

a)

7 states

b)

9 states

c)

11 states

d)

13 states

79.
This was our nation's first Constitution but failed because it gave all the power to the states. 
a)
Articles of Confederation
b)
Treaty of Paris 
c)
Declaration of Independence
d)
U.S. Constitution 
80.
The Articles of Confederation had be fixed because it was 
a)
too weak
b)
too strong
81.
All of these are problems of the Articles of Confederation EXCEPT 
a)
No president
b)
No common currency
c)
No military
d)
No power to tax
82.
This plan wanted representation in the Legislative branch to be based on population.
a)
Virginia Plan
b)
New Jersey Plan
83.
This plan wanted representation in the Legislative branch to be based on equality.
a)
Virginia Plan
b)
New Jersey Plan
84.
The Virginia Plan benefited the _______ states. 
a)
Large 
b)
Small 
85.
The New Jersey Plan benefits the ________ states.
a)
Big
b)
Small
86.
This event solved the debate between the New Jersey Plan and Virginia Plan and split the Legislative branch into 2 houses. 
a)
Treaty of Paris 
b)
Great Compromise
c)
Proclamation Line
d)
Declaration of Independence
87.
This group was ready to approve the U.S. Constitution and wanted the Federal government to have the power. 
a)
Federalist
b)
Antifederalist
88.
This group wanted the Bill of Rights added to the U.S. Constitution and believed that the states should have the power. 
a)
Federalist
b)
Antifederalist 
89.
The Virginia Plan wanted representation to be based on ___________. 
a)
Population
b)
Equality
c)
Age
d)
Religion
90.
The New Jersey Plan wanted representation to be based on __________. 
a)
Population 
b)
Equality
c)
Age
d)
Religion 
91.
This is another name for the introduction to the U.S. Constitution. 
a)
Preamble
b)
Articles of Confederation
c)
Rising Action 
d)
Intro
92.
Our United States Marines are an example of which of these:
a)
Establish Justice
b)
Promote the General Welfare
c)
Provide for the Common Defense 
d)
Insure Domestic Tranquility 
93.
This document outlines the rules and laws of our United States government and is still used today. 
a)
U.S. Constitution 
b)
Articles of Confederation
c)
Treaty of Paris
d)
Declaration of Independence
94.
Checks and Balances are put into place so that 
a)
The people can make all the decisions
b)
So that a King could be established 
c)
No one branch could become too powerful
d)
So that the branches could be bossy
95.
If a president does not agree with a law he is allowed to ________ the law. 
a)
Veto 
b)
Ratify
c)
Bill 
d)
Amend
96.
The Second Continental Congress proposed a central government to the states with this document:
a)
Articles of Confederation
b)
Articles of a Fancy Name
c)
Articles of Order
d)
Articles of Freedom
97.
The process of gaining approval from the states on decisions is called 
a)
Ratification
b)
Red Tape
c)
Bureaucracy 
d)
Federalism
98.
The plan for congressional representation based on state population 
a)
Virginia Plan
b)
New Jersey Plan
c)
California Plan
d)
Tennessee Plan
99.
The plan for congressional representation to be the same for each state 
a)
Virginia Plan
b)
New Jersey Plan
c)
California Plan
d)
Tennessee Plan
100.
The "Great Compromise" dealt with
a)
Congressional Representation
b)
Numerical worth of slaves
c)
Trade Relations
d)
Dinner Plans
101.
The "Three-Fifths Compromise" dealt with
a)
Congressional Representation
b)
Numerical worth of slaves
c)
Trade Relations
d)
Dinner Plans
102.
An amendment can NOT be proposed in which of the following ways:  
a)
Two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress
b)
Special National Convention called at request of two-thirds of the states
c)
Presidential memo
103.
An amendment can NOT be ratified in which of the following ways:  
a)
Two-thirds approval in both houses of Congress
b)
Approval of two-thirds of the states conventions
c)
Vice-Presidential Memo
104.
Separation of Powers divided government into three branches, which of these is NOT one of those branches
a)
Legistlative
b)
Executive
c)
Administrative
d)
Judicial
105.
Article I of the Constitution deals with the ability for this division of government to make the laws.
a)
Legislative
b)
Judicial
c)
Administrative
d)
Executive
106.
Article II of the Constitution deals with the division of government whose primary function is to carry out the law.
a)
Legislative
b)
Judicial
c)
Administrative
d)
Executive
107.
Article III of the Constitution deals with the division of government whose primary function is to interpret the law.
a)
Legislative
b)
Judicial
c)
Administrative
d)
Executive
108.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as 
a)
The Bill of Rights
b)
The Receipts of Freedom
c)
The Ten Commandments
d)
The Things We Like To Argue About Still
109.
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as 
a)
The Bill of Rights
b)
The Receipts of Freedom
c)
The Ten Commandments
d)
The Things We Like To Argue About Still
110.
This amendment abolished slavery
a)
Amendment XIII (13) 
b)
Amendment XX (20) 
c)
Amendment XIV (24) 
d)
Amendment XXVII (27)
111.
A group of people chose to make the laws.
a)
Legislative
b)
Charter
c)
Tyranny
d)
Republic
112.
The traditions passed down to us from generation to generation
a)
Charter
b)
Heritage
c)
Republic
d)
Compact
113.
Approval
a)
Republic
b)
Compact
c)
Ratification
d)
Tyranny
114.
A written agreement to make and obey laws for the welfare of the group.
a)
Tyranny
b)
Ratification
c)
Natural Rights
d)
Compact
115.
Rights they are born with and that no government can take away
a)
Natural Rights
b)
Direct Democracy
c)
Heritage
d)
Compact
116.
A government in which representatives were elected to make laws.
a)
Direct Democracy
b)
Republic
c)
Natural Rights
d)
Legislature
117.
the abuse of power
a)
Natural Rights
b)
Separation of Powers
c)
Heritage
d)
Tyranny
118.
A document giving permission to create a government.
a)
Direct Democracy
b)
Charter
c)
Separation of Powers
d)
Compact
119.
The supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries.
a)
divine right
b)
republic
c)
sovereignty
d)
dictatorship
120.
A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government.
a)
unitary system
b)
confederate system
c)
federal system
d)
democarcy
121.
Theory that by contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order and the state, in return, agrees to protect its citizens.
a)
divine right
b)
force
c)
evolutionary
d)
social contract
122.
An existence without government or laws.
a)
indirect democracy
b)
dictatorship
c)
sovereignty
d)
anarchy
123.
Believed that without government people would resort to a “state of nature” where life would be “nasty, brutish, and short.”
a)
Thomas Hobbes
b)
John Locke
c)
Adam Smith
d)
Karl Marx
124.
A system of government in which a small group holds power.
a)
oligarchy
b)
monarchy
c)
autocracy
d)
dictatorship
125.
A person who purchases and uses goods and services.
a)
producer
b)
distributor
c)
consumer
d)
capital
126.
A group of people united by bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes religion.
a)
state
b)
nation
c)
country
d)
confederacy
127.
A group of people united by bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes religion.
a)
state
b)
nation
c)
country
d)
confederacy
128.
A system of government in which a king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme powers of government.
a)
democracy
b)
oligarchy
c)
dictatorship
d)
monarchy