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Founding Documents and Founding Fathers Unit Test

Total questions: 44

Worksheet time: 23mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

. 

The primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to

a)

strengthen colonial ties with England

b)

state the reasons for the American Revolution

c)

demand freedom of speech and of the press

d)

establish a basic set of laws for the United States

2.

 

Which phrase from the Declaration of Independence most clearly reflects the idea that the people are the source of government?

a)

"...that all men are created equal.."

b)

"...deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed..."

c)

...all men are...endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights"

d)

"...governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes..."

3.

 

The Articles of Confederation purposefully created a weak central government.

a)

True-the founders feared having a government similar to life under the King of England.

b)

False-the Articles of Confederation created a strong central government.

c)

True-the founders did not put much effort or thought into the ideas of government.

d)

False-the Articles of Confederation had nothing to do with the government at all.

4.

The Articles of Confederation created a president to lead the country

a)

True

b)

False

5.

The Articles were easy to change

a)

True

b)

False

6.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the more people a state had, the more votes it got in Congress

a)

True

b)

False

7.

The Congress under the Articles of Confederation did not have the power to collect taxes.

a)

True

b)

False

8.

Under the Articles of Confederation, states had to obey the laws Congress passed

a)

True

b)

False

9.

The Articles of Confederation created the first American government

a)

True

b)

False

10.

When planning for the Constitution everyone agreed the central government should have more power

a)

True

b)

False

11.

Some people were afraid that states would lose independence if government was stronger

a)

True

b)

False

12.

Different states had different needs for government to meet

a)

True

b)

False

13.

The delegates at the Constitutional Convention debated how states would be represented in Congress. This resulted in a two-house legislature called

a)

The Virginia Plan

b)

The New Jersey Plan

14.

According to the Preamble of the US Constitution, who established the federal government

a)

The legislature

b)

the original 13 states

c)

the people

d)

the elected represntatives

15.

Which line from the Preamble acknowledges the weakness of the Articles of Confederation

a)

We the people

b)

In order to form a more perfect union

c)

Establish Justice

d)

Secure the blessings of liberty

16.

Which of the following reasons contributed to the migration of people to the Americas during colonial times?

a)

Widespread disease killed 1/3 of the population in Europe

b)

The advancement for economic opportunity

17.

Which of the following reasons contributed to the migration of people to the Americas during colonial times?

a)

Widespread disease killed 1/3 of the population in Europe

b)

The advancement of glaciers in Northern Europe

c)

The possibility for economic advancement in the New World

d)

Invasion of nomadic tribes

18.

At the Constitutional Convention, discussions of slavery were closely related to discussions about which of these other issues?

a)

taxation and representation

b)

sovereignty and separation of powers

c)

voting rights and individual liberties

d)

presidential and congressional elections

19.

Which action illustrates the principle of checks and balances?

a)

A states changes the way its educational system is run.

b)

A member of the president's Cabinet resigns in protest.

c)

A court voids a congressional law.

d)

The people of a state vote to replace a representative.

20.

Which was the impact of the Louisiana Purchase on the United States?

a)

It reduced the size of the US

b)

It made the US less populated

c)

It created an alliance between Spain and the US

d)

It transferred land from France to the US

21.

What idea does this picture represent?

a)

Monroe Doctrine

b)

Manifest Destiny

c)

Oregon Fever

d)

Mandate of Heaven

22.

Which of the following was Not an economic factor that encouraged the continued American migration west?

a)

Gold rushes

b)

cheap land

c)

emergence of rail transportation

d)

more freedom

23.

What was the primary goal in enforcing the Indian Removal Act?

a)

prevent Americans from adopting native customs

b)

increase the amount of land available for American settlement

c)

end warfare between the federal government and Native Americans

d)

relocate Native Americans to land more suitable for agriculture

24.

Which of the following shows the correct sequence of events?

a)

Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention, Signing of the Declaration of Independence, Colonization of Americas

b)

Constitutional Convention, Articles of Confederation, Colonization of the Americas, Signing of the Declaration of Independence

c)

Signing of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Colonization of the Americas, Constitutional Convention

d)

Colonization of the Americas, Signing of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitutional Convention

25.

Tariffs was a tax placed on imported goods.

a)

True

b)

False

26.

Excise Tax was a tax placed on domestic goods such as Whiskey.

a)

True

b)

False

27.

What gave the government a place to print and store money?

a)

National Bank

b)

Excise Tax

c)

Tariffs

28.

Government is limited by what is clearly listed in the constitution is an example of which way to read the constitution?

a)

Loose Interpretation

b)

Strict Interpretation

29.

Alexander Hamilton embodied which way to read the constitution?

a)

Strict Interpretation

b)

Loose Interpretation

30.

Congress had many implied powers which are powers that exist that aren't mentioned in the Constitution. This is an example of

a)

Strict Interpretation

b)

Loose Interpretation

31.

Alexander Hamilton's financial plan is accespted.

a)

True

b)

False

32.

The first major crisis of Washington's Presidency is known as the Whiskey Rebellion

a)

True

b)

False

33.

______ in Pennsylvania are having trouble getting their _____ to market in time before it spoils. They turn corn into _______ so it will not spoil, plus it brings home more ______. This whiskey is now subjected to ___ under ________ plan.

a)

Farmers, whiskey, sugar, profit, tax, Hamilton's

b)

Farmers, corn, whiskey, profit, tax, Hamilton's

34.

George Washington's actions during the French and Indian War established his reputation as a(n):

a)

Rebellious Colonist

b)

Skilled Military Leader

c)

Savvy Politician

d)

Effective Peacemaker

35.

What role did Washington play in the drafting of the U.S. Constitution?

a)

He wrote the first draft of the constitution.

b)

He pushed for the Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution.

c)

He argued against the repeal of the Articles of Confederation

d)

He served as president of the Constitutional Convention.

36.

Some people wanted Washington to become king. Why did he say no?

a)

He respected the principles of democracy.

b)

He was sick and tired of arguing with Congress.

c)

He wanted to return to his family farm.

d)

He knew he lacked strong leadership qualities.

37.

Under a republican system of government, who has the most say in making important decisions?

a)

A regular citizen

b)

An elected representative

c)

A military leader

d)

A hereditary Monarch

38.

Which famous phrase best summarizes the American colonists' objection to the Stamp Act?

a)

Give me liberty of Give me death

b)

No Taxation without representation

c)

All men are created equal

d)

A penny saved is a penny earned

39.

Historians generally agree that Adams' contentious personality hurt his political career. What is a synonym for "contentious?"

a)

Yielding

b)

Respectful

c)

Agreeable

d)

Quarrelsome

40.

Why were the French angry at President John Adams and the United States?

a)

The U.S. was helping Britain attack France.

b)

The U.S. stayed neutral in France's war with Britain.

c)

The U.S. was attacking French ships.

41.

What were the French doing that threatened American neutrality?

a)

invading the U.S.

b)

remaining neutral

c)

attacking American ships

42.

What did John Adams decide to do to settle the problem with France attacking American ships?

a)

stop trading with Britain

b)

declare war on France

c)

send diplomats to France

43.

Who were X, Y, and Z?

a)

The American diplomats

b)

The French representatives (whose identities were kept secret because they were offering a bribe)

44.

A series of laws were passed by the Federalist Congress in 1798 and signed into law by President Adams. These laws included new powers to deport foreigners as well as making it harder for new immigrants to vote. These laws were collectively known as

a)

The X,Y,Z Affair

b)

Alien and Sedition Acts

c)

Illegal immigration Acts