wayground logo

Free Printable Worksheets

Font size

S
M
L
XL
Worksheets

US and The World I Creating a Government & Early US Presidents

Total questions: 105

Worksheet time: 2hrs 30mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

What was the name of the United States' first plan for government?

a)

The Constitution

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

George Washington

2.

Who was the president during the Articles of Confederation?

a)

George Washington

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

no one

d)

Donald Trump

3.

The Articles of Confederation was important because it –

a)

created a means for establishing the executive branch

b)

provided every citizen in America the right to vote

c)

enabled each of the 13 states to make separate treaties with foreign nations

d)

was the first form of government for America

4.

What was the MAIN problem with the Articles of Confederation?

a)

They had too many laws.

b)

The Articles were too strong.

c)

The Articles were too weak.

5.

What was one EFFECT of a weak government?

a)

They could not write a constitution.

b)

They could not raise money.

c)

People went to war.

6.

Since the Articles were weak and the nation had problems, _____________.

a)

They decided to be a colony again.

b)

They met again to make a new plan.

c)

They added on more ordinances.

7.

Who had more power with the Articles of Confederation?

a)

National Governments

b)

State Governments

8.

One negative effect of the Articles of Confederation was that-  

a)

all citizens did not have the right to vote

b)

the Supreme Court held ultimate power over the government

c)

unalienable rights of the people were revoked

d)

no executive branch was provided to enforce the laws

9.

The Articles of Confederation did not allow the federal government to tax citizens.  This led to -

a)

states taxing their citizens then giving all their funds to the federal government

b)

the federal government seizing lands from Loyalist during the American Revolution to generate revenue

c)

   the federal government being unable to pay off its war debts

d)

a protest by members of congress because of their lack of funding

10.

Which one is NOT an achievement of the Articles of Confederation?

a)

gave power to the national government

b)

created a peace treaty with Great Britain

c)

helped settle lands out west

d)

expanded foreign trade

11.
In order to change (amend) the Articles of Confederation,  __________ out of 13 states had to agree. 
a)
9
b)
10
c)
13
d)
15
12.
Who led the farmers against the government of Massachusetts?
a)
Daniel Shays
b)
the Government
c)
all of the farmers were leaders
d)
Thomas Hobbes
13.

Shays' Rebellion represented...

a)

a success of the Articles of Confederation

b)

a failure of the Articles of Confederation

14.

The main cause for many of the rules in the Articles of Confederation was that the delegates at the Continental Congress...

a)

did not want to give the states too much power because they'd proven they were willing to rebel against a government.

b)

wanted to create a government that was identical to England's government.

c)

were concerned about giving the central government too much power because the King had used his power unfairly.

d)

wanted to unify the states together, which included creating one army and one type of currency.

15.
Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?
a)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
b)
Washington, DC
c)
Richmond, Virginia
d)
Paris, France
16.
What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
a)
To rewrite the Declaration of Independence
b)
To rewrite the Articles of Confederation
c)
To write the Treaty of Paris
d)
To elect the first president
17.
What were the men who represented their states called?
a)
Senators
b)
Congressmen
c)
Delegates
d)
Speakers
18.
Who was the president of the Constitutional Convention?
a)
George Washington
b)
Thomas Jefferson
c)
James Madison
d)
John Adams
19.
What did the Federalists want?
a)
States to govern themselves
b)
To be governed by England
c)
A strong federal government
d)
A new leader for the House of Representatives
20.
What did Anti-Federalists believe?
a)
States to have power to govern themselves
b)
No state government, only Federal
c)
Less power for the states, more for the national government
d)
A strong central government for the US
21.
The _______________ Plan proposed a strong federal government with two branches.
a)
Virginia
b)
New Jersey
c)
Connecticut
d)
Three-fifths
22.
The three branches of government are ________________
a)
Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
b)
Legislative, Judicial, and National
c)
Executive, Principle, and Judicial
d)
Judicial, National, and Legislative
23.
Which branch of government has two houses?
a)
Executive
b)
Legislative
c)
Judicial
d)
National
24.
Which part of the legislative branch has representation based on population?
a)
Senate
b)
Judicial
c)
House of 
Representatives
d)
House of Congress
25.
Which part of the legislative branch has the same number of representatives for each state?
a)
House of Representatives
b)
Judicial
c)
Executive
d)
Senate
26.
The _______________ was the solution to the disagreement about how many representatives each state would have. 
a)
Great Compromise
b)
Three-fifths Compromise
c)
Great Dispute
d)
Big Agreement
27.
How were slaves counted as part of the population when deciding the number of representatives for a state?
a)
All slaves were counted.
b)
Three-fifths of the number of slaves was added to the population.
c)
Slaves were not counted at all.
d)
Slaves were allowed to vote and be elected to represent each state.
28.
Which Plan was favored by small states?
a)
New Jersey Plan
b)
Virginia Plan
29.
What document replaced the Articles of Confederation and established a new national government? 
a)
The Declaration of Independence 
b)
The Constitution 
c)
The Magna Carta 
d)
The English Bill of Rights 
30.

Why were southern delegates to the Constitutional Convention willing to accept the Three-Fifths Compromise?

a)

It increased the political influence of the South

b)

It allowed indentured servants in the South to become citizens

c)

It decreased the federal tax on property in the South

d)

It allowed the South to expand its industrial output

31.

What are the first 3 words of the Constitution?

a)

"We are people..."

b)

"We the people..."

c)

"We as people..."

d)

"We are the people..."

32.

What was the purpose of the Constitution?

a)

It was created to break away from England.

b)

It was a plan for how the government would run that guaranteed our rules, rights, and responsibilities.

c)

It freed the slaves

d)

It said that England and the U.S. would always be enemies.

33.

Based on the US Constitution, the government is run by _________.

a)

The President

b)

Congress

c)

The Supreme Court

d)

"The People"

34.

This branch of the Federal Government contains the office of the President and Vice President. The duty of this branch is to represent and enforce the nation's laws.

a)

Judicial Branch

b)

Supreme Court

c)

Executive Branch

d)

Legislative Branch

35.

A system of __________ and __________ is used to keep any one branch of the government from being dominant, or having too much power.

a)

checks and balances

b)

power and authority

c)

politics and philosophy

d)

life and liberty

36.
The Constitution made federal laws _______________ to state laws.
a)
Interior
b)
Inferior
c)
Supplementary
d)
Superior
37.
Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?
a)
Executive
b)
Judicial
c)
Legislative
38.
Which branch of government is responsible for creating laws?
a)
Executive
b)
Judicial
c)
Legislative
39.
What term refers to the process of approving the Constitution?
a)
Articles of Confederation
b)
Ratification
c)
Federalism
d)
Checks and Balances
40.

An Anti Federalist believed...

a)

There should be a weak central government

b)

There should be a powerful central government

41.

A strong central government would be able to...

a)

Create rules and regulations for the entire nation

b)

Give power to the states to create their own rules and regulations

42.

A federalist....

a)

Wanted a strong Executive Branch- Executive Branch has more authority than the other branches of government.

b)

Supported the idea of Checks and Balances

43.

An anti-federalist

a)

Supported checks and balances, separation of powers

b)

Wanted the executive branch to have ultimate power

44.
The Constitution contains no Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties like freedom of speech, trial by jury, and the right against searches and seizues.
a)
Federalists
b)
Anti-Federalists
45.
It will not be possible for the federal gov. to overpower the states, because states are necessary part of the federal gov.
a)
Federalists
b)
Anti-Federalists
46.
The Constitution creates a Supreme Court that is too powerful because the judges don't answer to anyone.
a)
Federalists
b)
Anti-Federalists
47.

Anti-Federalists were in favor of:

a)

States Rights and the protection of individual rights.

b)

A strong Central Government.

c)

A Monarchy (King & Queen) to rule over the country.

d)

a powerful National Government

48.

How did the Federalists and Anti-Federalists "compromise" to ratify (approve) the U.S Constitution?

a)

The added the Bill of Rights (First 10 Amendments)

b)

They outlawed cruel and unusual punishment.

c)

Ensured due process of the law.

d)

The Federalists threatened the Anti-Federalists to war.

49.

Which amendment protects the rights of every American, such as Freedoms of Speech, Religion and Press?

a)

Second Amendment

b)

First Amendment

c)

27 Amendments

d)

Third Amendment

50.

Which amendment guarantees Americans right to bear arms (own weapons)

a)

Second Amendment

b)

First Amendment

c)

27 Amendments

d)

Third Amendment

51.

What does the third amendment say?

a)

Protects the rights of every American, defines the Freedoms of Religion, Speech and Press

b)

Prevents the government from forcing citizens to shelter soldiers in their homes

c)

Guarantees Americans right to bear arms (own weapons)

52.

The idea that anyone accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty is in which amendment?

a)

First

b)

Second

c)

Fifth

d)

Third

53.

Under the Fifth Amendment, can someone be put on trial twice for the same crime?

a)

Yes

b)

No

54.

What does the Sixth Amendment say?

a)

It prevents the government from forcing citizens to shelter soldiers in their homes

b)

It discusses the need for search warrants

c)

It describes freedom to protest

d)

It outlines a right to a speedy public trial

55.

Which amendment protects people from having to pay unreasonably high bail in order to be released from jail while awaiting trial?

a)

Eighth

b)

Second

c)

Fifth

d)

Fourth

56.

Under the Eighth Amendment, is cruel and unusual punishment allowed for criminals?

a)

Yes

b)

No

57.

Which amendment recognizes the Americans have rights that are not listed in the Constitution?

a)

Seventh

b)

Eighth

c)

Ninth

d)

None of them

58.
4th Amendment 
a)
Freedom of speech, religion, press petition and assembly
b)
No illegal searches and seizures
c)
The right to bear arms
d)
No quartering troops
59.
10th Amendment 
a)
Electoral College established
b)
Powers not granted to the federal government are reserved by the states.
c)
The naming of certain rights in the Constitution does not take away from the rights that are not named
d)
States sued in state courts
60.

Washington is the only President voted in unanimously which means ...

a)

he got every single vote in the electoral college.

b)

he got every single vote of the people.

61.

How did Washington wish to be addressed?

a)

Your Highness

b)

Mr. President

c)

Hey George!

62.

George Washington was the _______ President of the United States.

a)

Sixteenth

b)

Third

c)

First

d)

Fourth

63.

Who was George Washington's Vice President?

a)

George Clinton

b)

Thomas Jefferson

c)

John Adams

64.
  • a ceremony that officially makes someone president in the United States

a)
coronation
b)
inauguration
c)
graduation
d)
celebration
65.

a group of individuals who are chosen to help the President run the executive branch

a)
Senate
b)
Congress
c)
Supreme Court
d)
Cabinet
66.

groups of people who have similar ideas about how the government should act

a)
music bands
b)
political parties
c)
book clubs
d)
sports teams
67.

 political party led by Thomas Jefferson that favored more states rights and less federal government power

a)
Democratic-Republican Party
b)
Green Party
c)
Whig Party
d)
Federalist Party
68.

political party led by Alexander Hamilton that wanted a strong Federal government and encouraged trade and manufacturing

a)
Federalist Party
b)
Whig Party
c)
Democratic-Republican Party
d)
Anti-Federalist Party
69.

What traditions for future presidents did George Washington set during his Presidency?

a)

Serving only two terms in office

b)

living in the White House

c)

Inauguration ceremony and swearing an oath to the country on a bible

d)

Selecting a cabinet to help him run the executive branch

e)

fighting a war with Great Britain

70.

Washington thought it was best for our country to have a strong central government to keep our country unified

a)

True

b)

False

71.

Washington was in favor of political parties because he wanted divide our country

a)

True

b)

False

72.

Why did Jefferson oppose the establishment of a national bank?

a)

He thought it would be too weak.

b)

He thought it was unconstitutional.

c)

He wanted a more powerful government.

d)

He believed in the implied powers of Congress.

73.

Hamilton believed that a national bank was constitutional based on

a)

express powers and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

b)

implied powers and a loose interpretation of the Constitution.

c)

express powers and a loose interpretation of the Constitution.

d)

implied powers and a strict interpretation of the Constitution.

74.

Something that may be used as an example in the future is known as what?

a)

A lesson

b)

A precedent

c)

Knowledge

d)

An example

75.

Started by Washington, what speech is given as a tradition after the president is inaugurated?

a)

Appointment Speech

b)

Presidential Address

c)

State of the Union Speech

d)

Inauguration Speech

76.

As our first president, George Washington established many precedents for our nation. Which of the following was one of the traditions he established?

a)

Presidential inauguration in January

b)

State of the Union address speech

c)

three-term presidency

d)

Not choosing his cabinet member

77.

How often does the United States hold a presidential election?

a)

Every 5 Years

b)

Every 3 Years

c)

Every 6 Years

d)

Every 4 Years

78.

As the first president, George Washington set many ________ which were seen as examples for future presidents to follow. This created a tradition for the next presidents to follow.

a)

Examples

b)

Precedents

c)

Standards

79.

What precedent regarding presidential terms did George Washington set?

a)

No term limits

b)

One term limit

c)

Two term limit

d)

Three term limit

80.

What was George Washington's advice on Foreign Policy?

a)

The Nation should remain neutral and avoid permanent alliances

b)

The Nation should end slavery

c)

The Nation should expand from East to West

d)

The Nation should colonize Latin America

81.

George Washington believed Political Parties were beneficial to the nation

a)

True

b)

False

82.

What was George Washington's Advice on Political Parties?

a)

Political Parties are necessary to run a government

b)

Political Parties could divide and weaken the Nation

c)

Political Parties should create jobs and businesses

d)

Political Parties should only exist in State Governments

83.

He warned the country to avoid debt as it would only hurt

a)

themselves

b)

the future who had to pay it off

c)

other countries

d)

their credit score

84.
Jefferson reduced the size of all of the following except...
a)
Military
b)
Government
c)
US Territories
85.
Significance of Marbury v Madison
a)
Veto power
b)
Judicial Review
86.
Declaring acts of Congress unconstitutional
a)
Veto
b)
Ammendment
c)
Judicial Review
87.
Jefferson purchased the Louisiana Territory from 
a)
England
b)
France
c)
Spain
88.
The Louisiana purchase was seen as a _______ interpretation of the Constitution.
a)
Loose
b)
Strict
c)
Illegal
89.
The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the United States:
a)
True
b)
False
90.
How much did Jefferson buy the Louisiana Territory for?
a)
20 MIL
b)
15 MIL
c)
10 MIL
d)
43246326 MIL
91.
The Monroe Doctrine said __________________.
a)
no more European colonies could be started in the Americas
b)
Europe must leave the Americas alone
c)
the United States would stay out of Europe's business
d)
all of the above
92.
Because of the Monroe Doctrine, the United States became a powerful leader in the ____________ hemisphere.
a)
northern
b)
southern
c)
western
d)
eastern
93.

Andrew Jackson's election victory in 1828 depended on support from

a)

the rich and well-born.

b)

Native Americans.

c)

the common people.

d)

states' rights supporters.

94.
Jackson's practice of rewarding political supporters with government jobs became known as
a)
the spoils system.
b)
Jacksonian democracy.
c)
mudslinging.
d)
a corrupt bargain.
95.

Jacksonian Democracy

a)

an informal group of trusted advisers who sometimes met in the White House kitchen

b)

The practice of giving government jobs to political backers

c)

The period of expanding democracy that gave voting rights to all white males

d)

The Court ruled that the national bank was constitutional

96.
Why were many more people allowed to vote during Andrew Jackson's presidency?
a)
A man didn't have to own property anymore to vote
b)
tariffs were lowered
c)
women gained the right to vote
d)
African Americans were allowed to vote
97.

How did tariffs affect imported goods?

a)

Tariffs lowered the prices of imported goods.

b)

Tariffs made imported goods illegal to buy.

c)

Tariffs set weight restrictions for imported goods.

d)

Tariffs raised the cost of imported goods.

98.
The nullification crisis occurred when
a)
the Supreme Court declared the tariff laws null and void.
b)
Congress refused Jackson's request to repeal the tariff laws.
c)
South Carolina threatened to secede if the tariff laws were enforced.
d)
Jackson threatened to make South Carolina leave the Union by force.
99.
Once he became president, Jackson fired many federal employees and replaced them with his political supporters and friends.
a)
True
b)
False
100.

What was President Jackson's response to the nullification crisis?

a)

He admitted that the Union was a "compact" of the states

b)

He offered to raise tariffs to keep South Carolina in the Union

c)

He conceded South Carolina's right to secede

d)

He threatened to use force against South Carolina if it did not repeal its nullification policies

101.
Many of his opponents would have agreed with the cartoon’s portrayal of Jackson   Because it suggests that ---
a)
he was not really the common man that many people thought him to be
b)
he has used the spoils system to gain wealth and influence in the government
c)
the executive branch of government became too powerful during his presidency
d)
the leaders of other countries had too much influence in the American government
102.
Andrew Jackson was a member of which political party?
a)
Whigs
b)
National Republicans
c)
Democrats
d)
Anti-Federalists
103.
Which of the following is the best definition for the spoils system?
a)
a bribe
b)
choosing the most qualified applicant for the job
c)
voting for the best candidate to represent the public
d)
rewarding your supporters with jobs in the government once elected
104.

A way of interpreting the Constitution that allows the federal government to take actions that the Constitution does NOT specifically FORBID it from taking.

a)

strict construction

b)

nationalism

c)

sectionalism

d)

loose construction

105.

A way of interpreting the Constitution that allows the federal government to take ONLY those actions the Constitution SPECIFICALLY says it can take.

a)

strict construction

b)

loose construction

c)

judicial review

d)

embargo