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Forming a Government

Total questions: 100

Worksheet time: 1hrs 14mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

The original government of the united states was __

a)

the US Constitution

b)

Articles of Confederation

c)

Bill of Rights

d)

Magna Carta

2.

Colonial self-governments were inspired by the idea that the RULER MUST FOLLOW THE RULES which was based on ___

a)

English Bill of Rights

b)

English Petition of Rights

c)

John Locke's 2nd Treatise on Government

d)

Magna Carta

3.

The colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776. Their biggest complaint against the king & Parliament was __

a)

taxation of any type is tyranny

b)

taxation of the poor is tyranny

c)

taxation of the wealthy is justified, but all others is tyranny

d)

taxation without representation is tyranny

4.

The colonies agreed to work together in the early days, forming a "loose league of friendship" where they agreed to help each other. This is known as a __

a)

democracy

b)

republic

c)

confederation

d)

empire

5.

As the 13 new states wrote their constitutions, the concept of ____ meant that the people were the ultimate power and the people are sovereign- not the government.

a)

limited government

b)

popular sovereignty

c)

civil rights

d)

separation of powers

6.

As the 13 new states wrote their constitutions, the concept of ____ meant that the government did not have the power to do whatever it wanted- it must follow its own rules.

a)

limited government

b)

popular sovereignty

c)

separation of powers

d)

civil right

7.

As delegates met in Philadelphia in 1787 to "fix" the government, they began forming a new Constitution based partly on the concept of ____ which means that people accused of a crime have certain rights

a)

due process

b)

limited government

c)

self-government

d)

rule of law

8.

Thomas Jefferson was influenced by _____'s writings about natural rights and the social contract.

a)

Thomas Hobbes

b)

Montesquie

c)

John Locke

d)

Martin Luther King, Jr

9.

When the Constitution was finished, the group that was against ratifying was the ___

a)

Federalists

b)

Sons of Liberty

c)

Loyalists

d)

Anti Federalists

10.
A representative or person chosen to be the voice for others in a political convention
a)
Anti federalist
b)
Delegate
c)
Federalist
d)
President
11.
People who were against ratification (approval) of the Constitution.
a)
Federalist
b)
Anti federalist
12.
Supporters of the Constitution.
a)
Federalist
b)
Anti federalist
13.
When money becomes less valuable
a)
bicameral
b)
delegate
c)
ordinance
d)
inflation
14.
Which form of government was WEAK and did not work?
a)
Declaration of Independence
b)
Articles of Confederation
c)
Constitution
d)
Mayflower Compact
15.
What was ONE success of the Articles of Confederation?
a)
NW Ordinance
b)
No taxes
c)
Weak government
d)
Unpaid Bills
16.
Who led a rebellion of farmers, angry over unpaid military service?
a)
Daniel Shays
b)
George Washington
c)
Sam Adams
d)
George Mason
17.
How did northern states feel about the issue of slavery?
a)
slaves should count towards total population
b)
slaves should count as property and be taxed
18.
How did southern states feel about the issue of slavery?
a)
slaves should count towards total population
b)
slaves should count as property and be taxed
19.
Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?
a)
Washington DC
b)
New York
c)
Philadelphia
d)
Savannah
20.
What did George Mason insist on before signing the Constitution?
a)
The end of slavery
b)
A Bill of Rights
c)
Equal Representation
d)
3 member executive
21.
How many states need to vote for the Constitution for it to become law?
a)
9
b)
10
c)
12
d)
All of them
22.
What influenced freedom of religion in the Bill of Rights?
a)
VA Statute for Religious Freedom
b)
Mayflower Compact
c)
Declaration of Independence
d)
Articles of Confederation
23.
Delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 agreed to the Three-Fifths Compromise as a way to
a)
Limit the power of the president
b)
Provide legal rights for women
c)
Settle differences over representation in Congress
d)
Establish term lengths for presidents
24.
During the struggle over ratification of the Constitution, Federalists and Antifederalists disagreed mainly over the
a)
wisdom of maintaining friendship with England
b)
need for the continuation of slavery
c)
election of George Washington as the first president
d)
division of power between the national government and the states
25.
Delegates to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 wrote a new constitution because
a)
the Revolutionary War was over
b)
the Articles of Confederation were about to expire
c)
they wanted to increase the power of the states
d)
they believed that a stronger central government was necessary
26.
The Constitution of the United States was considered an improvement over the Articles of Confederation because the Constitution changed the 
a)
status of slavery
b)
civil rights of minorities
c)
number of Americans eligible to vote
d)
balance of power between national and state governments
27.
To win support for ratification of the United States Constitution, Federalists agreed to
a)
give up western land claims
b)
restrict the importation of slaves
c)
add a bill of rights to the document
d)
grant voting rights to all adult white males
28.
The Great Compromise resolved the debate over state representation in the federal government by
a)
creating a bicameral legislature made up of the Senate (2 members from each state) and the House of Representatives (based on population)
b)
creating a unicameral legislature.
c)
deciding individually on the number of delegates each state would have.
d)
deciding that each state would have the same number of delegates.
29.
Which type of document usually describes the basic structure, functions, and powers of a government?
a)
constitution
b)
proclamation
c)
resolution
resolution
d)
treaty
30.
The Bill of Rights is the document
a)
added to the Constitution to protect citizens’ rights.
b)
used to limit the powers of state governments.
c)
outlining the rights of the federal government.
d)
stating the ways in which citizens can participate in government.
31.
The framers of the Constitution created a system of checks and balances to
a)
outline the powers held by each person of government.
b)
keep any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
c)
give the people an opportunity to control the branches of government.
d)
strengthen the powers held by each branch of government
32.
Which document guarantees freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, and protection from unreasonable search and seizure?
a)
Declaration of Sentiments
b)
Bills of Rights
c)
Albany Plan of Union
d)
Federalist Papers
33.
How did the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 affect the practice of slavery in the Northwest Territory?
a)
It banned the use of slaves in the Northwest Territory.
b)
It determined a fixed wage for slaves.
c)
It regulated the slave trade.
d)
It granted slaves access to public education.
34.
Shays’s Rebellion led most Americans to call for a
a)
ban on rebellious activity.
b)
federal judiciary.
c)
national guard.
d)
stronger central government.
35.
The Three-Fifths Compromise
a)
freed three-fifths of slaves in the southern states.
b)
granted three-fifths of freed slaves the right to vote.
c)
determined how many representatives a state would have in the Congress by counting three-fifths of the state’s slave population.  This means that for every 5 slaves, 3 of them would be counted for representation and taxes.
d)
decided to give an extra delegate to each state that had banned the slave trade, giving northern states a three-fifths majority in the Congress.
36.
Which document is characterized by these statements? 
a)
Articles of Confederation
b)
Northwest Ordinance
c)
Federalist Papers
d)
United States Constitution
37.
Which document contains these words?
a)
Mayflower Compact
b)
Emancipation Proclamation
c)
Treaty of Paris
d)
Declaration of Independence
38.

In the early 1790s, Alexander Hamilton wanted to create a national bank that could

a)

hold money that belonged to private citizens.

b)

issue a currency that could be used in every state.

c)

issue different currencies for each state.

d)

hold money that belonged to businesses.

39.

Alexander Hamilton wanted the national bank to be able to

a)

loan money to private citizens.

b)

issue foreign currency.

c)

issue different types of money for businesses.

d)

loan money to the federal government.

40.
Delegates at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 agreed to the Three-Fifths Compromise as a way to
a)
limit the power of the president
b)
provide legal rights for women
c)
settle differences over representation in Congress
d)
establish term lengths for senators
41.
What group wanted a Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
a)
Antifederalists
b)
Federalists
c)
Patriots
d)
Loyalists
42.
Tax collection is the responsibility of which level of government.
a)
national
b)
state
c)
both national and state
d)
neither national nor state
43.
Which branch of government has ultimate control over the other two?  (Think about this...)
a)
legislative
b)
judicial
c)
executive
d)
none of them
44.
What two plans were combined to form the Great Compromise?
a)
New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan
b)
New Hampshire Plan and the Pennsylvania plan
c)
Rhode Island Plan and the California Plan
d)
Massachusetts Plan and the New York Plan
45.
What two types of states disagreed over the what to count the slave population for?
a)
Northern States and Southern States
b)
California and Texas
c)
Canada and the United States of America
d)
New England States and Middle States
46.

Magna Carta

a)
Magna Carta: a document signed by King John in 1300, made the king the sole lawmaker
b)
Magna Carta: a document signed by King John in 1210, made the king exempt from law
c)
Magna Carta: a document signed by King John in 1066, made the king above the law
d)

Magna Cartaa document signed by King John in 1215, made the king subject to law

47.

constitution

a)
A collection of recipes for cooking
b)
A set of basic laws that states the powers and duties of the government
c)
A list of popular tourist destinations
d)
A compilation of famous quotes from historical figures
48.

This document declared that no person could be forced to attend a particular church or be required to pay for a church with tax money.

a)
Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
b)
Virginia Declaration of Independence
c)
Virginia Bill of Rights
d)
Virginia Constitution
49.

suffrage

a)
the right to vote
b)
the right to work
c)
the right to marry
d)
the right to drive
50.

the first US constitution in which there was only a legislative branch

a)
Supreme Court of the Confederation
b)
House of Representatives of the Confederation
c)

The Articles of Confederation

d)
Senate of the Confederation
51.

ratification

a)
unofficial disapproval
b)
official approval
c)
unauthorized consent
d)
informal rejection
52.

Land Ordinance of 1785

a)
set up a system for surveying and dividing western lands
b)
granted voting rights to Native Americans
c)
established a national bank
d)
abolished slavery in western territories
53.

This set up the Northwest Territory.

a)
Southeast Territory
b)
Northeast Territory
c)

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

d)
Southwest Territory
54.

These are areas that are now Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, Minnesota, and Wisconsin.

a)
Northwest Territory
b)
Southwest Territory
c)
Northeast Territory
d)
Midwest Territory
55.
What is the system in place the guarantees that no one branch will become too powerful?
a)
Separation of Powers
b)
Limited Government
c)
Checks and Balances
d)
Majority Rule
56.
Congress is part of which branch of government?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
d)
All 3 Branches
57.
The President is the head of which branch of government? 
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
d)
All 3 Branches
58.
The Supreme Court is in which branch of government?
a)
Legislative
b)
Executive
c)
Judicial
d)
All 3 Branches
59.
Which is a synonym for the word Veto?
a)
Accept
b)
Reject
c)
Make official
d)
Pass
60.
What is the main job of the legislative branch?
a)
head of the military
b)
interpret laws
c)
enforce laws
d)
make laws
61.
what is the main job of the judicial branch?
a)
head of the military
b)
interpret laws
c)
enforce laws
d)
make laws
62.
The Judicial Branch decides if laws are constitutional. 
a)
True
b)
False
63.
The Executive Branch makes laws.
a)
True
b)
False 
64.

Where was the Constitutional Convention held in May of 1787?

a)

Boston, Massachusetts

b)

New York, New York

c)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

d)

Yorktown, Virginia

65.

Where was the Constitutional Convention held in May of 1787?

a)

Boston, Massachusetts

b)

New York, New York

c)

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

d)

Yorktown, Virginia

66.

What was one of the reasons why the first government under the Articles of Confederation was too weak to run the country?

a)

It was ruled by a monarchy.

b)

It did not include a plan to collect taxes from the states.

c)

The power was shared by three branches of government.

d)

The government used a system of checks and balances.

67.

Why were Daniel Shays and numerous other Patriots and farmers unable to pay cash for the taxes on their land?

a)

They wanted to pay using a credit card.

b)

They refused to pay since they did not live on their land while they fought in the war.

c)

Their harvests were not successful due to the extreme heat.

d)

They were not paid for serving in the Revolutionary War, so they traded their crops for goods.

68.

Why was there a need for the Great Compromise?

a)

If state representatives were based on population, big states would always have more power than small states.

b)

The president wanted to have all the power.

c)

The Senators did not agree with the members of the House of Representatives.

d)

Rhode Island refused to take part in the Constitutional Convention.

69.

Which of the following was not one of the rights included in the Bill of Rights?

a)

the right of the accused to a fair and speedy trial

b)

the right to vote

c)

the freedom to practice any religion or no religion at all

d)

the freedom to write, publish, or speak freely

70.

The first government of the United States. It was very weak.

a)

Constitution

b)

Declaration of Independence

c)

Articles of Confederation

d)

Executive Branch

71.

Addition to the constitution

a)

amendment

b)

revising

c)

executing

d)

annexing

72.

Introduction of the constitution

a)

executive branch

b)

legislative branch

c)

judicial branch

d)

preamble

73.

One of two parts of Congress, representation is determined by state population

a)

Senate

b)

House of Representatives

c)

Supreme Court

d)

President

74.

The head of the executive branch

a)

Senate

b)

House of Representatives

c)

Supreme Court

d)

President

75.

A law that does not follow the constitution is called?

a)

cabinet

b)

federalism

c)

unconstitutional

d)

separation of powers

76.

Bicameral means

a)

1 house

b)

2 houses

c)

3 houses

d)

4 houses

77.

This is the phrase used in the US Constitution that defines that political power belongs to the people

a)

We the People

b)

We hold these truths

c)

Stronger Together

d)

Make America Great Again

78.

voting rights

a)

Magna Carta

b)

suffrage

c)

ratification

d)

constitution

79.

the new national constitution, which made a new Confederation Congress the national government

a)

Magna Carta

b)

Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom

c)

Land Ordinance of 1787

d)

Articles of Confederation

80.

a law that established the Northwest Territory and formed a political system for the region

a)

Land Ordinance of 1785

b)

Northwest Ordinance of 1787

c)

Articles of Confederation

d)

Magna Carta

81.

According to the Northwest Ordinance, a territory can apply for statehood when it has _________ free male citizens.

a)

20,000

b)

40,000

c)

60,000

d)

2 million

82.

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?

a)

The States were too weak

b)

The National government was too weak

c)

The British invaded again

d)

Federalism balanced the government too much

83.

The rebellion led by Daniel Shays convinced many to keep the Articles of Confederation government.

a)

TRUE

b)

FALSE

84.

I'm Jonah, I represent the large state of New York at the Constitutional Convention. I favor the __________ Plan because it gives more populated states more representatives in Congress.

a)

New Jersey

b)

Virginia

85.

Opposed the development of a strong federal government

a)

Anti-Federalist

b)

Federalist

86.

Wanted a stronger national government

a)

Anti-federatlist

b)

Federalist

87.

Mostly lived in rural areas

a)

Anti-federalist

b)

Federalist

88.

Mostly lived in urban areas

a)

Anti-federalist

b)

Federalist

89.

This group supported the Constitution as it was written.

a)

Federalists

b)

Antifederalists

90.

This group wanted a Bill of Rights added to protect the rights of the people

a)

Federalists

b)

Anti-Federalists

91.

The Federalist Papers were 85 essays written by:

a)

James Madison

b)

John Jay

c)

Alexander Hamilton

d)

George Mason

92.

Federalists and Anti-Federalists presented their opinions to the public through

a)

newspapers

b)

TV

c)

Internet

93.

Who are the Federalists?

a)

People who supported the Constitution

b)

People who were against the Constitution

c)

People who wanted to add the Bill of Rights to the Constitution

d)

People who supported the Articles of Confederation

94.

Did the Antifederalists support adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution?

a)

no

b)

yes

95.

Which of these words best describes the United States in 1787?

a)

balanced

b)

disorganized

c)

strong

d)

united

96.

What was the main problem with the Articles of Confederation?

a)

It focused too much on the personal freedoms.

b)

It gave some states more power than others.

c)

It created a very weak central government.

d)

It made it difficult for states to enforce laws.

97.

Proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population which favored larger states.

a)

Virginia Plan

b)

New Jersey Plan

c)

Federalists vs. Antifederalists

98.

Proposed a bicameral legislature with representation based on state population which favored larger states.

a)

Virginia Plan

b)

New Jersey Plan

c)

Federalists vs. Antifederalists

99.
What is Popular Sovereignty?
a)
Being popular in the world
b)
People voting and having a say in the governments decisions
c)
People voting
d)
The act of the 20th admendment and it’s rules.
100.

What was the solution of the Great Compromise regarding representation?

a)

3 legislature with one chamber for each branch of government

b)

2 legislature with House of Representatives based on population and Senate with equal representation for each state

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