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Origins in Government

Total questions: 79

Worksheet time: 41mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The process through which one group aggressively takes control of an area and establishes a new government is known as what?

a)

Theory of mind

b)

Social contract theory

c)

None of these are correct.

d)

Force theory

2.

Which of the following is a well-known example of using force theory to establish a new country?

a)

None of these are correct.

b)

The United States

c)

Brazil

d)

Norway

3.

Which of the following is an alternative to using force theory?

a)

Medical theory

b)

Evolution theory

c)

Social contract theory

d)

None of these are correct.

4.

Which common element of force theory involves a foreign military taking control of a territory or government?

a)

None of these are correct.

b)

Occupation

c)

Negotiation

d)

Annexation

5.

__________ is the process in which people from another country or territory establish a new society in a foreign area.

a)

Expansion

b)

Colonization

c)

None of these are correct.

d)

Occupation

6.

Which of the following is an alternative to using force theory?

a)

None of these are correct.

b)

Divine right theory

c)

Medical theory

d)

Evolution theory

7.

What is the common element of Divine Right theory?

a)

Annexation

b)

Negotiation

c)

Taken by force

d)

Right to rule was given by God

8.

The _____ theory states that the first governments were created from the family, and over time, as the family grew into a clan and then a tribe, a government was born with an elder from the family chosen as leader.

a)

Evolutionary Theory

b)

Social Contract Theory

c)

Divine Right of Kings Theory

d)
  1. Force Theory


9.

According to John Locke and Jean Jacques Rousseau, the first governments were formed from a society of people who all agreed to give up their freedoms to do as they pleased to have laws that protected them from each other.

a)

Force Theory

b)
  1. Evolutionary Theory

c)
  1. Divine Right of Kings Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

10.

What are the four theories of Government?

a)

evolutionary, force, divine left, social media, job contract

b)

Never back down never give up

c)

evolutionary, force, divine right, and social contract

d)

Social contract theory. Democracy, American Government,

11.

Which Enlightenment thinker argued that all people were born equal and had natural rights to life, liberty, and property?

a)

Jen-Jacques Rousseau

b)

Baron de Montesquieu

c)

Thomas Hobbes

d)

John Locke

12.

The image concerns government.

Which Enlightenment idea is represented by the image?

a)

separation of powers

b)

checks and balances

c)

social contract

d)

natural laws

13.

Use the quotation to answer the question:

"to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed." - from DIO

Which Enlightenment idea is expressed in this statement?

a)

Baran de Montesquieu's theory of separation of powers

b)

John Locke's idea of the social contract

c)

Jen-Jacques Rousseau's theory of divine right

d)

James Madison's view of individual liberty

14.

Why did the Founding Fathers separate power to make, enforce, and interpret laws between different branches of government?

a)

to prevent on branch of government from becoming too powerful

b)

to make the national government more efficient

c)

to increase the power of the presidency

d)

to ensure that Congress would act according to the will of the people

15.

How does this quote reflect the influence of Enlightment ideas on the Founding Fathers?

a)

They had reservation about self-government

b)

They were concerned with property rights

c)

They supported individual liberties

d)

They created a limited monarchy

16.

Use the newspaper headline to answer the question.

What Enlightenment idea is represented by the Headline?

a)

separation of powers

b)

checks and balances

c)

social contract

d)

natural law

17.

How are the Enlightenment ideas that influenced the Founding Fathers reflected in modern institutions?

a)

Colonies have been re-established to preserve popular sovereignty.

b)

Oligarchies have increased to safeguard natural rights.

c)

The United Nations promotes universal human rights.

d)

The European Union encourages economic stability.

18.

Which right is an example of an Enlightenment idea?

a)

Fifth Amendment self-incrimination protection

b)

First Amendment freedom of speech guarantees

c)

First Amendment freedom of religion guarantees

d)

Fourth Amendment search and seizure protection

19.

What pamphlet denounced British rule and fanned the flames of revolution?

a)

Magna Carta

b)

Two treatises of Government

c)

Mayflower Compact

d)

Common Sense

20.

Using your notes, define government

4 lines
21.

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a state (country)?

a)

population

b)

territory

c)

sovereignty

d)

government

e)

citizenship

22.

What is the purpose of government? (select ALL)

a)

Make laws

b)

Provide for the well being of citizens

c)

Protect citizens

d)

Limit freedom

23.

What are the four characteristics of a state? (select ALL)

a)

Population

b)

Territory

c)

Sovereignty

d)

Government

e)

Laws

24.

Which of the following are the functions of government?

a)

To protect the boundaries.

b)

To provide health facilities.

c)

To solve problems like poverty, unemployment etc.

d)

All of these.

25.

Europeans colonized most of Africa during the 19th and 20th centuries against the will (wishes) of the tribes. Which theory would this be an example of?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right of Kings Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

26.

After World War II, part of the US peace terms with Japan was that the Japanese emperor had to announce that he was not selected by God. Which theory would this be an example of?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right of Kings Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

27.

People agree to give up rights in exchange for protection from the government.

a)

Social contract

b)

Constitutional republic

c)

Representative democracy

d)

General agreement

28.

Early civilizations selected leaders from their community elders who which formed earliest governments. Which theory would this be an example of?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right of Kings Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

29.

During the French Revolution the common people were angry with their absolute monarchy. They began a revolution, overthrew the king and wrote a constitution that was for the people and the government. Which theory would this be an example of?

a)

Force Theory

b)

Evolutionary Theory

c)

Divine Right of Kings Theory

d)

Social Contract Theory

30.

Which principle of U.S. government does the political cartoonist imply the President is destroying?

a)

Federalism

b)

Individual rights

c)

Checks and balances

d)

Consent of the governed

31.

Which specific action is protected by the U.S. Bill of Rights?

a)

A journalist publishing an article that exposes government corruption

b)

A female citizen registering to vote in a local election

c)

A local business owner refusing to pay quarterly taxes

d)

A high school student signing up for a foreign exchange program

32.

An individual accused of stealing identities on the Internet was held without formal charges.

Which excerpt (quote) from the U.S. Constitution best applies to this situation?

a)

“The right of the people to be secure…against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…”

b)

“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury…”

c)

“All persons born or naturalized in the United States… are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside.”

d)

“No person shall be… deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law…”

33.

Which situation is a violation of the due process clause of the Fifth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution?

a)

Denying a bank loan to a couple on the basis of race

b)

Blocking publication of a student-run newspaper

c)

Holding a suspect in jail without charges

d)

Issuing a subpoena for records in a criminal case

34.

Which statement describes a characteristic of federalism?

a)

It gives states the authority to regulate trade with their neighbors.

b)

It puts limits on the power of the national government.

c)

It allows states to print and coin their own currency.

d)

It eliminates conflicts between the national and state governments.

35.

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution best reflects the principle of representative democracy?

a)

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion…” —Amendment 1

b)

“The right of the people to be secure…against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated…” —Amendment 4

c)

“In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial…” —Amendment 6

d)

“The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two senators from each state, elected by the people thereof, for six years…” —Amendment 17

36.

Which headline best illustrates an example of representative democracy?

a)

New Poll Shows Most Florida Citizens Favor Ending Cuban Trade Embargo

b)

Maryland College Students Sign Petition to Support Lowering Voting Age

c)

West Virginia Holds Special Election to Choose New U.S. Senator

d)

Local Activists Protest Recent Cuts in Kentucky’s Transportation Spending

37.

Read the excerpt (quote):

"The Senate of the United States shall be  . . .  elected by the people. . . . "

—Amendment 17, U.S. Constitution

Which of these excerpts from the Declaration of Independence is most reflected in the Seventeenth Amendment?

a)

“Deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed…”

b)

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…”

c)

“That they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…”

d)

“Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes…”

38.

Which of these is an example of checks and balances?

a)

The Supreme Court upholds the conviction of a federal prisoner.

b)

Voters elect a President from the minority party in Congress

c)

The Senate rejects a presidential nominee to the Supreme Court.

d)

Congress passes legislation to reduce industrial pollution.

39.

Read the excerpt (quote) below.

"For over 150 years, the state of Virginia operated an all-male college called the Virginia Military Institute (VMI). In 1990, the United States government sued the state of Virginia at the request of a female high school student seeking admission to VMI. The Supreme Court ruled that VMI had to admit women who could meet the physical and other requirements."

Which of these principles of law most likely influenced the Supreme Court's decision?

a)

Common law

b)

Equal protection

c)

Implied contract

d)

Presumption of innocence

40.

Read the quotation below.

"The Government of [the United States], then, is  . . .  truly a government of the people. . . .  Its powers are granted by them, and are to be exercised directly on them for their benefit."

—John Marshall, 1810

Which of these constitutional principles best applies to Marshall’s quotation?

a)

Judicial review

b)

Checks and balances

c)

Separation of powers

d)

Representative democracy

41.

Which of these is an example of following the rule of law?

a)

Citizens vote for a new amendment

b)

The General Assembly approves the governor’s budget

c)

Political parties hold a convention to nominate candidates.

d)

The governor is impeached for wrongdoing.

42.

Which two types of government are generally considered to be most efficient in their decision-making processes?

a)

Representative democracy

b)

Dictatorship

c)

Direct democracy

d)

Oligarchy

43.

Which type of government provides the best protection of individual rights

a)

Absolute monarchy

b)

Parliamentary democracy

c)

Dictatorship

d)

Oligarchy

44.

Which type of government is most likely the focus of this political cartoon?

a)

Dictatorship

b)

Parliamentary democracy

c)

Constitutional monarchy

d)

Presidential democracy

45.

Which of these could be a disadvantage of living under an authoritarian government?

a)

A slow legislative process

b)

A weak executive branch

c)

A lack of national laws

d)

A lack of individual freedoms

46.

Which of these is a characteristic of a dictatorship?

a)

A system of checks and balances distributes government power

b)

Individual freedoms and rights are protected by the constitution.

c)

Courts may override decisions made by government leaders.

d)

Government leaders rule with absolute authority.

47.

Read the quotation below.

“ . . .  government of the people, by the people, for the people  . . . ”

—Abraham Lincoln, Gettysburg Address, 1863

Which type of government does Abraham Lincoln describe?

a)

Democracy

b)

Dictatorship

c)

Monarchy

d)

Oligarchy

48.

In which of these government systems are government leaders most accountable to citizens?

a)

Oligarchy

b)

Dictatorship

c)

Absolute monarchy

d)

Representative democracy

49.

Which statement best sums up the main idea of this cartoon?

a)

A bill of rights is unnecessary as long as there are free elections.

b)

Authoritarian governments are better than democracies at protecting minority rights.

c)

Individual rights and freedoms are always protected in democracies.

d)

Majority rule can lead to decisions that endanger the rights and freedoms of minorities.

50.

When a government is forced to share power with an elected legislature, this is known as

a)

absolute government

b)

limited government

51.

The Mayflower Compact inspired what ideas?

a)

natural rights and social contract

b)

self-government and social contract

c)

trial by jury and rule of law

52.

The Magna Carta inspired what ideas?

a)

trial by jury (peers) and rule of law

b)

natural rights and self-government

c)

bill of rights and social contract

53.

What inspired independence from England?

a)

John Locke's natural rights

b)

Baron de Montesquieu's separation of powers

c)

Thomas Paine's pamphlet Common Sense

d)

Pilgrims' Mayflower Compact

54.

Justice, no cruel and unusual punishment..this document inspired our rights...

a)

Mayflower Compact

b)

English Bill of Rights

c)

Magna Carta

d)

Common Sense

55.

King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta because he thought he was above the law. What is the principle behind this?

a)

natural rights

b)

English Bill of Rights

c)

liberty

d)

rule of law

56.

Thomas Paine's Common Sense believed our representatives should be...

a)

elected

b)

appointed

57.

The right of a government to exercise its power free of outside control

a)

Sovereignty

b)

Laws

c)

Policy Making

d)

Political Authority

58.

A system of rules that are made and enforced by a legal government; keep order & protect citizens

a)

Sovereignty

b)

Laws

c)

Policy Making

d)

Political Authority

59.

A blueprint for action that the government follows in dealing w/ issues or problems; based on law but set by groups other than legislatures

a)

Sovereignty

b)

Laws

c)

Policy Making

d)

Political Authority

60.

The right to pass & carry out laws

a)

Sovereignty

b)

Laws

c)

Policy Making

d)

Political Authority

61.

Central government combined w/ regional governments in single political system

a)

Federalism

b)

Tribal Government

c)

Unitary States

d)

Confederations

62.

Central government holds complete & absolute authority over its local units; local units don't act independently

a)

Federalism

b)

Tribal Government

c)

Unitary State

d)

Confederation

63.

Group of independent political entities that come together for a common purpose

a)

Federalism

b)

Tribal Government

c)

Unitary State

d)

Confederation

64.

Citizens elect other citizens to represent them in government

a)

Republic

b)

Monarchy

65.

A single person holds supreme authority & inherits their power

a)

Republic

b)

Monarchy

66.

Absolute monarchy

a)

Monarch wields unlimited power

b)

Monarch is largely a ceremonial leader

67.

Constitutional monarchy

a)

Monarch wields unlimited power

b)

Monarch is largely ceremonial leader

68.

Citizens vote to elect leader

a)

Presidential system

b)

Parliamentary

69.

Elected group of legislatures choose leader

a)

Presidential

b)

Parliamentary

70.

People = source of government's power

a)

Democracy

b)

Oligarchy

c)

Autocracy

d)

Authoritarianism

e)

Totalitarianism

71.

Privileged people = government's power

a)

Democracy

b)

Oligarchy

c)

Autocracy

d)

Authoritarianism

e)

Totalitarianism

72.

Government power = single individual, or political body made up of members of 1 political party

a)

Democracy

b)

Oligarchy

c)

Autocracy

d)

Authoritarianism

e)

Totalitarianism

73.

Ruler uses power to stifle political dissent, suppress individual freedom & flout the law

a)

Democracy

b)

Oligarchy

c)

Autocracy

d)

Authoritarianism

e)

Totalitarianism

74.

Extreme; unelected leader controls every aspect of society; citizens may be jailed or killed for speaking out against government

a)

Democracy

b)

Oligarchy

c)

Autocracy

d)

Authoritarianism

e)

Totalitarianism

75.

Corporations & individuals can own & operate their own businesses that compete to sell goods & services to consumers to make a profit; right to own property

a)

Capitalism

b)

Socialism

c)

Communism

d)

Fascism

e)

Feudalism

76.

Government owns & operates most property & decides what goods & services are produced & their costs; want to make fairer society

a)

Capitalism

b)

Socialism

c)

Communism

d)

Fascism

e)

Feudalism

77.

Government owns & controls all property & business; fairer society

a)

Capitalism

b)

Socialism

c)

Communism

d)

Fascism

e)

Feudalism

78.

Extreme, totalitarian system in which every aspect of society is organized in service to the nation rather than the people; encourages some capitalist activity but only those that serve to strengthen the nation

a)

Capitalism

b)

Socialism

c)

Communism

d)

Fascism

e)

Feudalism

79.

Hierarchical system of land ownership

a)

Capitalism

b)

Socialism

c)

Communism

d)

Fascism

e)

Feudalism