Chapter 1 Test
government
judicial power
state
unitary government
presidential government
law of supply and demand
public policy
constitution
sovereign
federal government
parliamentary government
mixed economy
legislative power
dictatorship
autocracy
division of powers
compromise
executive power
democracy
oligarchy
confederation
free enterprise system
Choose a term from the list above that best matches each description.
1.
Describes a state that has supreme power within its territory
(sovereign)
2.
The institution through which society makes and enforces its policies
3.
That which a government decides to do
4.
An alliance of independent states that expressly delegates limited powers to a central government
(confederation)
5.
A form of government that is often totalitarian and authoritarian; can be led by one person or many
people
(dictatorship)
(government)
(public policy)
Choose a term from the list above that best completes the sentence.
6.
In a parliamentary government, the executive branch of government is led by members of the legislative branch.
7.
A unitary government is also known as a centralized government.
8.
The basic structure and principles of a government may be found in its constitution.
9.
legislative power is the power to write new laws.
10.
Government regulates and promotes businesses in a mixed economy.
Answer in complete sentences and paragraphs.
11.
What characteristics define a state?
A state can be defined as a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with
the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority.
12.
Briefly describe the four most widely held theories that attempt to explain the origin of the state.
Answers should cover 1) the force theory; 2) the evolutionary theory; 3) the divine right theory; and 4)
the social contract theory.
13.
What theory on the origin of the state was most influential in the founding of the United States?’
The Social Contract Theory.
14.
For what reasons do people form governments?
To provide for defense, order, justice, and general welfare of its citizens.
15.
Briefly describe, in your own words, the goals of the Federal Government of the United States.
Answers will vary but should expound on #14.
16.
List the three questions that can be used to classify governments.
Who can participate; what is the geographic distribution of power; what is the relationship between the
legislative and executive branches of the government.
17.
(a) In a democracy, to whom is the government responsible? (b) In a dictatorship, to whom is the
government responsible?
a) to the people; b) to those in power
18.
What is the difference between an autocracy and an oligarchy?
An autocracy is a government in which a single person holds unlimited political power. An oligarchy is
a government in which the power to rule is held by a small, usually self-appointed elite.
19.
Name and briefly describe the three forms of government that can result depending on how governmental power is distributed geographically.
Unitary government – centralized government where all powers held by the government belong to a
single, central agency.
Federal government – the powers of government are divided between a central government and several
local governments.
Confederate government – a limited central government having only those powers allowed by the
member states which remain sovereign and independent.
20.
Explain how power is distributed in a presidential government.
The legislative and executive branches are separate, independent and coequal with one another. Usually
there exists different means whereby each branch can block or control actions by the other branch.
21.
Briefly describe the five basic concepts of democracy.
(1) A recognition of the fundamental worth and dignity of every person;
(2) A respect for the equality of all persons;
(3) A faith in majority rule and an insistence upon minority rights;
(4) An acceptance of the necessity of compromise; and
(5) An insistence upon the widest possible degree of individual freedom.
22.
What is the difference between equality of opportunity and equality of condition?
Equality of condition would mean that each individual would have the same mental or physical abilities,
as well as an equal share of all the worldly goods available. Equality of opportunity means that each
individual would have an equal opportunity before the law, meaning that they should be able to develop
themself without being held back by their race, religion, gender, etc.
23.
Describe the relationship between the rights of the individual and the rights of the overall society.
Individual rights are always subservient to the rights of the overall society.
24.
(a) What is the free enterprise system? (b) How does it differ from a mixed economy?
The free enterprise system is an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of
capital goods; investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control; and
determined in a free market. The free enterprise system is based on four fundamental factors: private
ownership, individual initiative, profit, and competition. In a mixed economy there is government
regulation and promotion to protect the public and preserve private enterprise.
25.
List one benefit and one drawback of using the Internet for research.
A benefit would be the vast amount of information available, while a drawback would be the difficulty
in determining how accurate that information really is.
Chapter 2 Test
For each of the terms below, write a sentence that shows how it relates to this chapter.
1.
Articles of Confederation
The Articles of Confederation were the foundation of the first governemt of this country. Although weak,
the Articles established the bond between the states which eventually led to the need and call for a
stronger central government.
2.
Three-Fifths Compromise
The Three-Fifths Compromise was the settlement of the dispute between the representatives of the
states which had a significant population of slaves and those that don’t in how they would be represented in Congress.
3.
charter
Charters were grants from the King giving a person or persons authority to establish a colony.
4.
boycott
A boycott is a refusal to buy or sell certain products or services. Boycotts were effective methods of
bringing attention to colonial greviences.
5.
bicameral
Bicameral means two-house, in our usage applied to the legislative body of government.
6.
ratification
Ratification is the formal approval of a law. The states needed to ratify the Articles and Constitution.
7.
quorum
A quorum is a majority of representatives, which is usually needed to conduct business.
8.
proprietary
A Proprietary Colony was a colony organized by a proprietor, a person to whom the King made a grant
of land.
9.
Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
A compromise worked out to allay southern fears that Congress would try to use southern exports as
their main revenue source, and also try to end the slave trade.
10.
delegate
A delegate is someone who represents someone else. Each colony would send delegates to the congresses to represent their state.
Three of the terms in each of the following sets of terms are related. Choose the term that does not
belong and explain why it does not belong.
11.
(a) Magna Carta (b) Albany Plan of Union (c) English Bill of Rights (d) Petition of Right
b) because it has to do with American political development; all the others are English
12.
(a) Articles of Confederation (b) Virginia Plan (c) New Jersey Plan (d) Connecticut Compromise
a) is the initial formation of the American government, all the others were discussions at the Constitutional convention
13.
(a) limited government (b) popular sovereignty (c) ratification (d) representative government
14.
(a) Framers (b) Federalists (c) Anti-Federalists (d) boycott
d) a boycott was an action against English rule; all the other terms denote groups of people involved in
the formation of American government.
15.
What three ideas about government did the colonists bring with them from England?
Ordered government; limited government; and representative government
16.
How was the development of English government affected by (a) the Magna Carta? (b) The Petition of
Right? (c) The English Bill of Rights?
a) trial by jury and due process of law; b) extended due process, no taxation without representation; c)
prohibited a standing army in peacetime and free elections in parliament, parliamentary rule
17.
Explain the development of colonial government.
From the beginning the colonies practiced a great measure of self-government through the growth of
colonial legislatures. Even though most of the colonies were ruled by a governor appointed by the king,
these parliaments exercised much control over their rulership through controlling the power to tax.
Because of the great distances and time lag involved with communication with England, most of the
time decisions were made in the colonies.
18.
Describe how the British governed the colonies (a) before the 1760s. (b) After the 1760s.
Most of the colonies started out as charter colonies, but by 1760, most of them had been taken over by
the crown and had become royal colonies.
19.
What was the colonists’ response to the change in British policies in the 1760s?
Prior to the 1760s England didn’t pay much attention to the colonies. In fact, since so much self-government was given to the colonies that the relationship between the colonies and the crown had become
very federal in form. Most regulations imposed on the colonies prior to this time were largely ignored.
In the 1760sl, however, King George decided to bring the colonies more under his control and began to
deal more firmly with them. This caused much opposition in the colonies with cries of “taxation without
representation” and a growing stubbornness that the crown wouldn’t control their local affairs.
20.
(a) Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? [Thomas Jefferson] (b) What rights are outlined in the
document? [life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness; the right to alter or abolish any government which
becomes destructive of those rights] (c) How do they signify the colonists’ relationship to Britain? [that
they are breaking their ties to England]
21.
Describe the common features of the first State constitutions.
popular sovereignty; limited government; civil rights and liberties; separation of powers; checks and
balances between branches of government
22.
What were the major characteristics of the Articles of Confederation?
firm league of friendship; independent states; common defense; most power in the states; unanimous
ratification and change
23.
How did the States respond to the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
the states bickered among themselves and grew increasingly jealous and suspicious of each other, often
refusing to support the central government, either financially or otherwise.
24.
Who were the Framers of the Constitution?
The men who gathered at the Constitutional Convention from the 12 states represented there. Many
were also at other conventions as well as active in their state politics.
25.
Explain the New Jersey Plan. Why was it introduced at the Constitutional Convention?
The New Jersey Plan was brought forward by several smaller states as a counter to the Virginia Plan
whose main proposal was state representation in the federal government proportional to their population or financial contribution. The New Jersey Plan proposed equal representation and a multiple
federal executive, among other things.
26.
What major issues did the Framers disagree upon and what, if any, compromises did they reach?
a) Congressional representation - the Connecticut Compromise - bicameral legislature
b) How to count population - the Three-Fifths Compromise - fixing the percentage of slaves to be
counted toward population and direct taxing
c) Commerce and Slave Trade - the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise - Congress prohibited from
any export tax, but given the power to regulate trade between the states and with other nations; also
Congress forbidden to act on the slave trade for 20 years
27.
Why did the Federalists want to replace the Articles?
The Federalists saw the weaknesses of the Articles and the need for a stronger central government
28.
What were the main arguments used by the Anti-Federalists?
The ratification process; the greatly increased powers of the central government; the lack of a bill of
rights
29.
Why was ratification by Virginia and New York essential for the success of the Constitution?
Without the inclusion of these two large and powerful states, the new government could not hope to
succeed.
30.
Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation surfaced during the Critical Period in American history.
Write three questions that will help you understand why the States decided they needed a stronger
central government, and how they could achieve this.
31.
This cartoon, originally published by Benjamin
Franklin in 1754, appeared in several versions
during the American Revolution. (a) What do
the segments of the snake represent? (b) How
do you know?
32.
(a) What is the message of the cartoon? (b) In
your opinion, is this cartoon an effective means
of persuasion? Why or why not?
33.
It is 1788. Write a letter to the editor of your
local paper in which you express your opinion
on whether or not the Constitution should be
ratified. First, create a list of what you see as
the positive aspects of the document. Then, list
the negative features. Note any suggestions
you have for improvements. Next, write a draft
of the letter in which you politely offer your ideas. Revise your letter, making certain that each idea is
clearly explained. Proofread your letter and draft a final copy.
Chapter 3 Test
Preamble
articles
constitutionalism
rule of law
separation of powers
checks and balances
veto
judicial review
unconstitutional
federalism
amendment
formal amendment
Bill of Rights
informal amendment
executive agreement
treaty
electoral college
Cabinet
senatorial courtesy
Choose a term from the list above that best matches each description.
1.
Changing the Constitution without changing its written words
informal amendment
2.
A group that makes the formal selection of the nation’s President
electoral college
3.
The idea that government must work in accordance with the principles of the Constitution
constitutionalism
4.
The power of courts to determine if a law or government action is constitutional
5.
A system by which any one branch of government can be restrained by one or both of the other branches
checks and balances
judicial review
Choose a term from the list above that best completes each sentence below.
6.
Under the principle of separation of powers, the Federal Government has three equal branches.
7.
Formal amendment is the process by which the Constitution has been changed and added to during the
course of United States history.
8.
The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.
9.
Formal amendment results in changes to the written words of the Constitution.
10.
The principle of rule of law states that government must be bound by a fundamental law.
Answer in complete sentences or paragraphs.
11.
How is the text of the Constitution organized?
The Constitution begins with the Preamble and the rest of the document is divided into sections called
articles. The first three articles deal with the basic branches of the government.
12.
What are the six basic principles of the Constitution?
Popular sovereignty; limited government; separation of powers; checks and balances; judicial review;
federalism
13.
(a) How are popular sovereignty and limited government related? Limited government is the other side of
the coin of popular sovereignty, the same principle stated another way.
(b) Why were these principles important to the Framers of the Constitution? They had just come out from
under a government that wasn’t that way and didn’t want to experience the same thing over again.
14.
What is the purpose of checks and balances? To restrain each branch of government from getting too
powerful and overriding the other branches.
15.
(a) How can the judicial branch check the legislative branch? By declaring acts of Congress unconstitutional.
(b) How can the executive branch check the legislative branch? By vetoing legislation.
16.
How many amendments have been formally added to the Constitution? 27
17.
(a) What has been the most common method for adding an amendment to the Constitution? Amendment
proposed by the Congress and ratified by the state legislatures.
(b) Which method has only been used once? Amendment proposed by Congress and ratified by conventions.
18.
How does the formal amendment process show the importance of federalism? Proposal takes place at the
national level and ratification at the state level.
19.
(a) Which amendment required the longest amount of time to ratify? The 27th
(b) How long did it take? 202 years
20.
What event led to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments? the Civil War
21.
What are the five ways that the Constitution can be informally amended? Congressional legislation; executive action; party practices; custom; court decisions
22.
How can Congress informally amend the Constitution? By elaborating on the Constitution’s basic provisions,
i.e. adding flesh to the bones.
23.
List two presidential powers that developed from informal amendment. Executive agreements and using the
military without a declaration of war.
24.
What is the role of custom in government? Custom pervades almost every aspect of government. The cabinet,
senatorial courtesy, vice-presidential succession, are all examples of custom exerting its influence.
25.
The Preamble to the Constitution begins with the words “We the People.” This collective “We,” however, did
not extend far enough to include suffrage and equal rights for women, African Americans, and Native
Americans. (a) How did the first, limited interpretation of “We the People” affect the history of the United
States? (b) Which, if any, of the 27 amendments to the Constitution corrected that situation?
26.
You are a newspaper editor in the late 1700s. Alexander Hamilton has just referred to democracy as “mobocracy.” Write an editorial in response to Hamilton’s claim. Define the position that you want to take in the
editorial. Next, list your arguments. As you revise your editorial, make certain that your arguments are
persuasive. Finally, proofread and make a final copy.
Government Quarter 1 Evaluation
Choose a term from the list that best matches each description.
1.
The institution through which society makes and enforces public policy.
2.
The form of government of the United States.
3.
The power to make laws.
4.
A type of government where the voters elect a representative body which then
selects the chief executive.
5.
The foundational law of a state.
6.
To refuse to buy or use goods as a protest against something is called a ___.
7.
A two-house legislative body.
bicameral
congress
executive
judicial review
federal
Bill of Rights
boycott
presidential
amendment
parliamentary
constitution
government
Answer the following in complete sentences or paragraphs.
8.
What are the four essential characteristics of a state?
9.
Write in your own words the goal of the government of the United States as expressed in the preamble to the
Constitution.
10.
Explain the distribution of power in the United States government and what you understand of the checks
and balances on each of these branches of government.
11.
What was the original form of government for America after gaining its independence from England, and
what were some of its characteristics which led to the call for a convention to alter it?
12.
The Constitution has often been called a "bundle of compromises." Name the three most important of those
compromises and describe the problems they dealt with and the solutions they established.
13.
Describe in your own words the arguments for and against the ratification of the constitution.
14.
How is the concept of limited government established in the Constitution?
15.
There are four ways in which the Constitution can be formally amended. Describe at least two of those
ways. (Bonus if you can describe more than two.) Which one has been used most often?
16.
What is the Bill of Rights? Why is it important?
17.
How can Congress informally amend the Constitution?
18.
List two presidential powers that developed from informal amendment of the Constitution.
19.
How many amendments have been formally added to the Constitution?
20.
What event led to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments?
Government Quarter 1 Evaluation
Choose a term from the list that best matches each description.
1.
The institution through which society makes and enforces public policy.
government
federal
2.
The form of government of the United States.
3.
The power to make laws.
4.
A type of government where the voters elect a representative body which then selects the chief executive.
parliamentary
5.
The foundational law of a state.
6.
To refuse to buy or use goods as a protest against something is called a ___.
7.
A two-house legislative body.
legislative
constitution
boycott
bicameral
Answer the following in complete sentences or paragraphs.
8.
That are the four essential characteristics of a state? territory, population, sovereignty, and government
9.
Write in your own words the goal of the government of the United States as expressed in the preamble to the
Constitution. answers will vary - see the preamble
10.
Explain the distribution of power in the United States government and what you understand of the checks and
balances on each of these branches of government. Power is distributed through the three branches of
government, legislative (make laws), executive (enforce laws) and judicial (interpret laws). The
legislative creates laws, lower courts, may remove judges and president through impeachment, accept
or reject appointment of judges and executive branch officials; the executive appoints federal justices
and can veto legislation; the judicial can declare laws and presidential actions unconstitutional.
11.
What was the original form of government for America after gaining its independence from England, and what
were some of its characteristics which led to the call for a convention to alter it? A confeceration which was
too weak to govern; it couldn’t tax, had no power to force the states to obey its decisions.
12.
The Constitution has often been called a "bundle of compromises." Name the three most important of those
compromises and describe the problems they dealt with and the solutions they established. The connecticut
Compromise established a bicameral legislature which satisfied both the large and small states; the
Three Fifths Compromise established the proportion of slaves to be counted for representation and tax
purposes; and the Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise established that Congress had no power to
regulate the slave trade for 20 years and had the power to regulate trade, but not tax exports.
13.
Describe in your own words the arguments for and against the ratification of the constitution. See page 31.
14.
How is the concept of limited government established in the Constitution? Through popular sovereignty
and the rule of law, that even the government must obey the law.
15.
There are four ways in which the Constitution can be formally amended. Describe at least two of those
ways. (Bonus if you can describe more than two.) Which one has been used most often? See page 40.
16.
What is the Bill of Rights? Why is it important? The first 10 amendments to the Constitution which
spell out the basic rights of all Americans.
17.
How can Congress informally amend the Constitution? By passing laws which detail, or put meat on the
bones of the Constitution.
18.
List two presidential powers that developed from informal amendment of the Constitution. Executive
agreements and the use of military force without a formal declaration of war.
19.
How many amendments have been formally added to the Constitution? 27
20.
What event led to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments? The Civil War