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A New Nation: Foundational Concepts and Principles

Total questions: 15

Worksheet time: 8mins

Name
Class
Date
1.

Why does Smith believe that men of the "middling class" make better representatives?

a)

They have more political connections

b)

They are more familiar with common concerns of most people

c)

They have more time to dedicate to government

2.

Why does Madison believe checks and balances are important?

The excerpt explains that because government is run by humans and humans are not angels, controls are needed to prevent abuses of power.

a)

Government needs rules so it cannot abuse power

b)

Government is unnecessary

c)

People can control government without any limits

3.

These articles act as a....

Set of protections for people in a territory. The excerpts include guarantees of freedom of worship, trial by jury, and support for education.

a)

Plan of Government

b)

Bill of rights for the territory

c)

Land auction

4.

What major change in government purpose appears in the Constitution’s Preamble?


The Constitution’s Preamble emphasizes forming a more perfect Union, establishing justice, ensuring domestic tranquility, providing for the common defense, promoting the general welfare, and securing liberty.

a)

It focuses more on fairness, peace, and the common good

b)

It removes national goals

c)

It gives all power to the states

5.

Why were delegates meeting in Philadelphia?

The passage explains they were appointed to revise and correct the defects of the federal system.

a)

To declare war

b)

To fix the problems in the national government

c)

To create new state governments

6.

How did different population sizes affect arguments about representation?

a)

Small states wanted equal representation so their voices were not lost

b)

Large states did not want a legislature

c)

Large states wanted equal representation so they would not gain too much power

7.

Which statement about how people in different parts of the country felt about the United States Constitution is most accurate?

a)

People in the Middle States were the most divided in their support

b)

The South showed only weak support

c)

Mixed support was seen in all regions of the nation

8.

Based on the chart, what does the change in U.S. exports to Great Britain between 1775 and 1784 suggest about the Articles of Confederation?

a)

The Articles were too weak to help the U.S. rebuild its economy after the Revolution.

b)

The Articles encouraged states to compete for trade with Great Britain.

c)

The Articles required states to increase exports to pay war debts.

9.

What strength of the Articles of Confederation is shown on the map?

a)

States worked together to cede western land to the nation.

b)

States created a stronger national leader for the nation.

c)

States agreed to let Congress collect national taxes.

10.

Which power did Congress actually have under the Articles?

a)

Settling disputes between states

b)

Creating a standing army

c)

Controlling interstate trade

11.

What do the many steps of the lawmaking process show?

a)

Laws are made quickly

b)

Only the House reviews bills

c)

The process is slow on purpose so bills can be checked carefully

12.

___ branch has the power to declare laws/presidential acts unconstitutional. Mark only one oval.

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

13.

___ branch has the power to impeach president/judges and remove from office. Mark only one oval.

a)

Legislative

b)

Executive

c)

Judicial

14.

___ branch has the power to veto laws. Mark only one oval.

a)

Executive

b)

Judicial

c)

Constitutional

15.

What concerns did Anti-Federalists have about the Constitution based on who wrote it?

a)

It represented only the interests of the Elite

b)

It gave too much power to the Federal Government

c)

Not enough power was given to the states