WorksheetsUSA2 Test Prep
Total questions: 22
Worksheet time: 12mins
Self - government
Separation of Powers
John Locke's ideas that are referred to in the Declaration of Independence:
Social Contract
Natural law
to establish the goals and purposes of government
The weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation were (check all that apply):
Congress had no power to tax so it couldn't raise money for things the government needed
Congress had no power to regulate trade
There was no judicial branch, so laws could not be interpreted
Congress had no power to enforce its laws because there was no executive branch
There were no national armed forces
The anti-federalists were for the U.S. Constitution and the federalists were against it, in part because of the absence of a Bill of Rights
true
false
This painting shows Daniel Shays at the Massachusetts courthouse in 1786. What weakness of the Articles of Confederation is illustrated in this image?
The national government had no court system.
Congress lacked the power to create a uniform currency.
Congress lacked the power to regulate trade between states.
The national government was not strong enough to keep order when there was a crisis
Why did the Anti-Federalists insist that the Constitution include a Bill of Rights?
They wanted to protect the people from a powerful government
They feared the state governments would interfere with managing the country
They feared the central government would enter into a dangerous foreign alliance
They wanted to test the amendment process before agreeing to a new form of government
Thomas Paine's pamphlet, "Common Sense" persuaded the colonists to be come independent from Great Britain and he advocated for
direct democracy
rule of law
representative self-government
due process of law
This passage is from the Declaration of Indendence:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just power from the consent of the governed".
According to this passage, what is the principal role of government?
to promise greater social equality
to protect the natural rights of its citizens
to glorify the ruler in the eyes of the Creator
to help individuals cooperate against the forces of nature
Why did the Preamble to the Constitution begin with the phrase, "We the People"?
to indicate that the national government had limited powers
to indicate that the federal power is separated among the three branches
to indicate that the American people were the ultimate source of it's authority
to indicate that the people participate in our government directly (direct democracy)
Which option best describes the importance of the rule of law?
It allows police to keep evidence a secret during a criminal trial.
It exempts government leaders from having to follow procedures.
It protects citizens from arbitrary and abusive uses of government power.
It ensures different laws can be applied to people of different social classes.
The purposes of government stated in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution are (check all that apply)
establish justice
ensure domestic tranquility
provide for the common defense
secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosterity
What is the significance of the phrase "consent of the governed" in the Declaration of Independence?
It implies that governments derive their power from the people.
It suggests that the government should be led by a monarch.
It indicates that the government has absolute power over its citizens.
It means that the government should be chosen by divine right.
What was a major concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the new Constitution?
The lack of a strong central government
The absence of a Bill of Rights
The inclusion of a monarchy
The power given to state governments
Which example illustrates the system of checks and balances?
The president vetoes legislation proposed by Congress
The president confers with the members of the cabinet
The Supreme Court interprests the application of a law passed by Congress
A state sets its own student learning standards while Congress regulates trade between the states
The list below provides three examples of actions by U.S. government. Which feature of the U.S. Constitution do these examples illustrate?
1) The President meets with the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
2) The Supreme Court applies an existing law to a new situation
3) Congress passes a new environmental law
limited government
due process of law
separation of powers
checks and balances
Which example illustrates the system of checks and balances?
The President vetoes legislation proposed by Congress
The President confers with the members of the Cabinet
The Supreme Court interprets the application of a law passed passed by Congress
A state sets its own student learning standards while Congress regulates trade between states
This newspaper headline details an important step on filling a vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. Which constitutional principal does this headline illustrate?
Rule of Law
This excerpt is from Federalist #47, written by James Madison in 1788. Which constitutional principal is Madison describing?
separation of powers
checks and balances
judicial review
popular sovereignty
