WorksheetsFounding Principles in U.S. Documents
Total questions: 71
Worksheet time: 36mins
Which founding principle is being described in the excerpt from the U.S. Constitution, Article I, Section 8: Powers of Congress?
Religious Liberty
Equality of mankind
Limited government
Rule of Law
The excerpt from the U.S. Constitution, Article II, Section 4, is about the impeachment of certain officials. Which founding principle does this relate to?
Due Process of Law
Natural rights
Rule of Law
Equality of mankind
What founding principle is emphasized by the phrase "endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights" from the Declaration of Independence?
Natural rights
Religious Liberty
Equality of mankind
Limited government
The First Amendment's protection against the establishment of religion pertains to which founding principle?
Religious Liberty
Due Process of Law
Rule of Law
Limited government
The Fourth Amendment's requirement for probable cause before searches and seizures is an example of which founding principle?
Due Process of Law
Natural rights
Equality of mankind
Limited government
Which foundational principle is reflected in the creation of three branches of government?
natural rights
social contract
separation of powers
consent of the governed
Based on the passage from the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution, which foundational principle is being described?
social contract
natural rights
religious liberty
equality of mankind
Which document argued for a representative self-government and included ideas such as due process of law, limitation of government power, right to justice, and right to a fair trial?
Magna Carta
English Bill of Rights
Mayflower Compact
Common Sense
Which document was written to convince American colonists to support independence from England and emphasized rights to life, liberty, and property without taxation without representation?
Declaration of Independence
Common Sense
English Bill of Rights
Magna Carta
Which document is considered important because it provided the English people with a trial by jury for the first time and established consent of the governed and self-government in the colonies?
Mayflower Compact
Magna Carta
English Bill of Rights
Declaration of Independence
Which document was so popular among Americans that they later created their own version of it, and it listed colonial grievances such as imposing taxes without the consent of the people and suspending trial by jury?
Declaration of Independence
English Bill of Rights
Magna Carta
Common Sense
Which Enlightenment thinker is connected to the idea of separation of powers as reflected in the 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights?
John Locke
Montesquieu
Thomas Hobbes
Voltaire
What idea from the Enlightenment thinkers is reflected in the excerpt "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 the pursuit of Happiness." from the Declaration of Independence?
Natural law/rights
Divine right of kings
Right to bear arms
Freedom of speech
Which Enlightenment thinker influenced the idea that governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, as stated in the Declaration of Independence?
John Locke
Montesquieu
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Adam Smith
What does the phrase "We the People" from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution signify?
Government focuses on the "public interest," which allows every state and citizen to benefit from what the government can provide.
Maintaining public order requires that the government follows the rule of law and treats the law as supreme.
Protect citizens from internal conflict. Internal conflict creates instability.
Serves as an introduction to the U.S. Constitution (e.g., establishes the six goals and purposes of government).
Which correction in the U.S. Constitution relates to the Articles of Confederation's weakness of having no national armed forces?
The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes...
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.
The Judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish.
To raise and support Armies.
Which phrase from the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution is meant to indicate that the government's power comes from the people it serves?
The Preamble
We the People
Form a more perfect union
Ensure domestic tranquility
What is the purpose of the phrase "to form a more perfect union" in the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?
To improve on the Articles of Confederation, the government in place at the time.
To ensure that the Constitution would not be "perfect," but "more perfect."
To present the goal of protecting citizens from external attacks.
To work to the people's benefit and not to their detriment for now and for future generations.
Match the limit on government power "Individual rights" with its correct description.
Rights guaranteed or belonging to a person.
The ability of each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches.
The idea that people accused of a crime still have individual rights, that the process of weighing their accused crimes must take place fairly, following an established standard, before they can lose either their life or freedom.
The idea that those who govern must also follow the same laws as everyone; no one is above the law.
Match the limit on government power "Rule of law" with its correct description.
Rights guaranteed or belonging to a person.
The ability of each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches.
The idea that people accused of a crime still have individual rights, that the process of weighing their accused crimes must take place fairly, following an established standard, before they can lose either their life or freedom.
The idea that those who govern must also follow the same laws as everyone; no one is above the law.
Match the limit on government power "Due process" with its correct description.
Rights guaranteed or belonging to a person.
The ability of each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches.
The idea that people accused of a crime still have individual rights, that the process of weighing their accused crimes must take place fairly, following an established standard, before they can lose either their life or freedom.
The idea that those who govern must also follow the same laws as everyone; no one is above the law.
Which characteristic serves as a long-term protection against tyranny and is a foundation of liberty in the United States?
the commerce clause
the elastic clause
separation of powers
checks and balances
Which statement supports the Anti-Federalists in the struggle over ratification of the U.S. Constitution? (L1)
The Constitution should protect fundamental rights.
The Constitution should limit state government.
The Constitution should create a strong national government.
The Constitution should prevent the election of amateur politicians.
What type of law is involved when a soldier fails to return to base after going on leave and is charged for being Absent Without Official Leave (AWOL)?
Military Law
Juvenile Law
Civil Law
Criminal Law
Noah was caught and brought to trial for robbing a gas station. What type of law is his case an example of?
Military Law
Juvenile Law
Civil Law
Criminal Law
Anna ordered an iPhone off the internet from a private seller but never received the order. She is seeking to get her money back by taking the seller to court. What type of law does this scenario represent?
Military Law
Juvenile Law
Civil Law
Criminal Law
A group of students wore black armbands to school to protest a war and were suspended, but the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that they do not lose their right to free speech on school property. What type of law does this scenario represent?
Case Law
Military Law
Criminal Law
Administrative Law
Which type of law is applied when a married couple cannot agree on the division of their property during a divorce and a judge makes the decision?
Military Law
Juvenile Law
Civil Law
Criminal Law
What type of law is represented by the U.S. Supreme Court decisions in Plessy v. Ferguson and Brown v. Board of Education?
Case Law
Military Law
Criminal Law
Administrative Law
Arnold Schwarzenegger is an Austrian immigrant who became a Naturalized U.S. citizen. He is currently the Governor of the state of California. When his term ends in three years he would like to run for President. Can Arnold run for President of the United States?
Yes, because he is a Naturalized U.S. citizen.
No, because he is not a natural-born citizen.
Yes, because he has served as a Governor.
No, because he has not lived in the U.S. long enough.
James Bond, a British citizen meets and falls in love with “Jinx”, an American citizen, while on a mission in North Korea. They get married and have a child while living in Korea. Will their child be a U.S citizen?
Yes, because one of the parents is an American citizen.
No, because the child was born in North Korea.
Yes, because the child can be naturalized.
No, because both parents need to be American citizens.
What did the rationing of goods during World War II illustrate? (L2)
The operation of the due process of law.
A government-imposed limitation on individual rights.
One of the checks and balances in the U.S. Constitution.
The broadening of the political process through an amendment.
Joe Smith was tried in state court a second time for the same crime, found guilty and sent to prison. Joe’s lawyer believes Joe has been wrongly imprisoned. What could the lawyer do? (L2)
Protest against an unfair ex post facto law.
Petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
Demand Joe’s due process rights.
Petition for a writ of certiorari.
What protects a citizen from being punished for an act that only became a crime after the act was committed? (L1)
The right to petition for a writ of habeas corpus.
The Constitution’s prohibition of ex post facto laws.
The unenumerated rights of the Ninth Amendment.
The powers reserved to citizens by the Tenth Amendment.
The statement from the U.S. Supreme Court below gives the rationale for a government-imposed limitation on individual rights. (L2)
The statement refers to the U.S. government's power to limit speech during wartime.
The statement justifies the suspension of habeas corpus.
The statement supports the use of eminent domain.
The statement endorses the internment of citizens during wartime.
Which right ensures the fair treatment of a citizen during court proceedings? (L1)
the right to peaceably assemble.
the right to due process.
the right to free speech.
the right to bear arms.
What are the qualifications to be eligible to run for President?
Must be a natural born Citizen, at least 35 years old, and have resided within the United States for 14 years
Must be a natural born Citizen, at least 30 years old, and have resided within the United States for 10 years
Must be a Citizen, at least 35 years old, and have resided within the United States for 14 years
Must be a natural born Citizen, at least 40 years old, and have resided within the United States for 20 years
What are the qualifications to be eligible to run for Representative in the House?
Must be at least 25 years old, a Citizen for 7 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent
Must be at least 30 years old, a Citizen for 9 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent
Must be at least 25 years old, a Citizen for 5 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent
Must be at least 20 years old, a Citizen for 7 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent
What are the qualifications to be eligible to run for Senator?
Must be at least 30 years old, a Citizen for 9 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent
Must be at least 35 years old, a Citizen for 10 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent
Must be at least 30 years old, a Citizen for 7 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent
Must be at least 25 years old, a Citizen for 9 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent
What are the qualifications to be eligible to run for Governor in Florida?
Must be elected, at least 30 years old, and a resident of the state for 7 years
Must be elected, at least 35 years old, and a resident of the state for 5 years
Must be elected, at least 30 years old, and a resident of the state for 5 years
Must be elected, at least 30 years old, and a resident of the state for 7 years
What are the qualifications to be eligible to run for state legislator in Florida?
Must be at least 21 years old, a resident of the district for 2 years, and elected to the position
Must be at least 21 years old, a resident of the district for 2 years, and a legislator for 1 year
Must be at least 25 years old, a resident of the district for 2 years, and elected to the position
Must be at least 18 years old, a resident of the district for 1 year, and elected to the position
What two qualifications do all public offices in Volusia County have in common?
Must be a registered voter and a resident of the county for 2 years
Must be a registered voter and a resident of the county for 3 years
Must be a registered voter and a resident of the county for 1 year
Must be a registered voter and a resident of the county for 4 years
Why must members of the Florida Legislature be residents of the district they are elected to represent?
To guarantee responsibility for tax cuts
To ensure appropriate payment of taxes
To promote familiarity with voter concerns
To guarantee strong voter registration rates
What action could Luis and Isabelle take to address their concern about the lack of a crosswalk near their neighborhood?
Send an email to their U.S. senator.
Propose a plan at a city council meeting.
Hold a fundraiser to raise funds to make their own crosswalk.
Ask the local police chief to ban vehicles from this road during school hours.
To which level of government should John and Maria voice their concerns about the large number of stray pets often lost in their community?
The local level of government
The state level of government
The national level of government
The scientific level of government
Which level of government should be contacted to propose the installation of crosswalks at a residential intersection for the safety of children who walk to and from school?
federal
local
regional
state
Which level(s) of government sets safety standards for medicine and food?
Federal
State
Local
Both Federal and State
Which level(s) of government would respond first in an emergency?
Federal
State
Local
Both State and Local
Which level(s) of government issues licenses for things such as driving, fishing, and professional careers?
Federal
State
Local
Both State and Local
Which statement describes a similarity between the state and the federal governments under the U.S. Constitution?
Both levels of government allow for the election of judges.
Both levels of government allow for the collection of taxes.
Both levels of government have the power to ratify treaties.
Both levels of government have the power to appoint ambassadors.
Which statement describes some powers of different levels of government?
The federal level establishing a public education system.
The state level running emergency services.
The local level controlling voter registration.
The federal level issuing passports.
Which is an example of a reserved power?
the power to collect taxes.
the power to establish post offices.
the power to educate young citizens.
the power to declare war on foreign enemies.
How does the system of federalism limit the power of the national government?
by guaranteeing citizens their individual rights.
by making federal law the “supreme law of the land”.
by reserving some of the powers of government to the states.
by separating the powers of government between three branches.
Which characteristic is specific to the U.S. Constitution and not the FL Constitution?
7 Articles
12 Articles
Establishes local governments.
Bill of Rights added as first 10 amendments.
What is required for voters to approve or reject amendments in the FL Constitution?
50% majority
60% majority
2/3 Congress proposes/approves
¾ of state legislatures ratify
Which feature is unique to the FL Constitution as compared to the U.S. Constitution?
Establishes executive, legislative, and judiciary at the national level.
Begins with the Declaration of Rights.
Governor signs or vetoes legislation.
27 amendments (2/3 Congress proposes/approves; ¾ of state legislatures ratify).
How does the process for amending the Constitution of Florida compare to that of amending the U.S. Constitution?
It is more difficult to amend the Florida Constitution than the U.S. Constitution.
It is more difficult to amend the U.S. Constitution than the Florida Constitution.
The Florida Constitution and the U.S. Constitution follow the same procedures for amendments.
The U.S. Constitution requires two steps for amendments, while the Florida Constitution is amended in a single step.
Which characteristic does not belong to an oligarchy?
Elite few rule
Citizens make the laws
Rule by a king
Council
What is a key feature of a republic?
No personal freedoms
Constitution is law
Rule inherited from religious leaders
One person has unlimited power
Which of the following is a characteristic of a theocracy?
Representatives are elected
Law based on religious texts
Citizens have a voice
Power is inherited
What defines an autocracy?
Elections take place
Personal freedoms exist
One person or small group has unlimited power
Power is inherited
How is power acquired in a monarchy?
By a council
Through personal freedoms
Power is inherited
Citizens make the laws
Which characteristics complete the chart comparing a Republic and an Autocracy?
1—Can be reelected by popular vote, 2—Can be recalled by citizen petition
1—Can be overthrown by a military coup, 2—Can be impeached by the legislative branch
1—Has elected representatives who create laws, 2—Holds power for life
Which form of government is being described if the rulers are chosen by a higher power, laws and decisions are based on religious beliefs, and religious authorities rule in the name of a god or deity?
Republic
Theocracy
Autocracy
Monarchy
What system of government is characterized by a central government that has little or no executive or judicial power, with most powers held by independent states?
Federal
Unitary
Confederal
Oligarchy
Which system of government has a supreme court to declare laws unconstitutional?
Theocracy
Monarchy
Oligarchy
Constitutional
In which system of government does the national government conduct all functions of government, and the regional government may choose to delegate powers to smaller units?
Federal
Unitary
Confederal
Oligarchy
Because power is shared between the central government and the provinces, Argentina is an example of a __________ system of government.
Federal
Unitary
Confederate
Parliamentary
Because the central government has all the power, Japan is an example of a __________ system of government.
Federal
Unitary
Confederate
Parliamentary
Because there is no central power, the European Union is a __________ system of government.
Federal
Unitary
Confederate
Parliamentary
Which would be considered an advantage of a federal system of government?
There are fewer laws that governments must follow.
It is easier for states to enter treaties with foreign nations.
There is a stronger national government to protect the nation.
Power is shared among levels.
