Bishop Kenny NJROTC NS1 Lesson 3.2

1. CHAPTER 2
Foundations of US Government
1

2. The Declaration of Independence
July 4th
Our Country’s Birthday
We celebrate every year with
parades and fireworks.
2

3. 3

4. Documents from the
First Continental Congress and the
4
Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776

5. Two of history’s most remarkable
documents
5

6. 6

7. The thirteen colonies
declare independence
from Great Britain and
begin self government
as:
“The unanimous
Declaration of the
thirteen united States
of America.”
Note: “united” was not capitalized
7

8. Following a bloody war and despite a failed
first try, the Declaration of Independence
changed the way people all over the world
thought about self-government.
8

9. The Declaration of Independence was
a document announcing America’s
separation from what country?
A. France
B. Spain
C. England
D. Germany
9

10. The Declaration of Independence was
a document announcing America’s
separation from what country?
A. France
B. Spain
C. England
D. Germany
10

11. The Parts of the
Declaration of
Independence
The Declaration has
five parts:
Thomas
• preamble
Jefferson • concept
• grievances
Wrote most of • attempts to resolve
the • declares independence
Declaration
11

12. First Part Preamble
It announces the
purpose of the
document and
explains why the
signers were
willing to risk
charges of treason
and summary
execution.
12

13. Preamble
An introduction to a document
such as a constitution, explaining
its purpose
13

14. “[A] decent respect
to the opinions
of mankind
requires that they
[the American
people] should
declare the causes
which impel
them to the
separation”
14

15. Second Part Concept
God does not select
some people to be
rulers by divine right:
“…all men are
created equal…"
“…endowed by their
Creator with certain
unalienable rights…”
“…among these are
Life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of
Happiness...”
15

16. Divine Rights
Rights and responsibilities given
by a divine being or deity that are
therefore beyond question by
human kind
16

17. Unalienable
Incapable of being taken away or
transferred to another
17

18. Instead of accepting
the “divine right”
concept, Founders
concluded:
• governments derive
“just powers” from
“consent of the
governed”
King George III
ruled by • governments exist
divine right for people, not the
18 other way around

19. Who drafted, or selected the wording for,
the Declaration of Independence?
A. James Madison
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. Alexander Hamilton
D. John Adams
19

20. Who drafted, or selected the wording for,
the Declaration of Independence?
A. James Madison
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. Alexander Hamilton
D. John Adams
20

21. The first democracies of
ancient Greece did not
include the Founders
new concept:
“We hold these truths
to be self-evident, that
all men are created
equal…”
Plato’s
Republic manuscript
21

22. Amendments Amendment
• XIII 1865 Abolish slavery • XlX 1920 Grant vote
• XlV 1868 Grant citizenship to women
• XV 1870 Grant vote to citizens
It would take some time to achieve
22 the promises of the Declaration.

23. Third Part Grievances
Lists grievances
and complaints
against
King George lll.
In 1776, important
enough for
Founders to
challenge one of
the world’s most
powerful monarchs.
23

24. Fourth Part Attempts to Resolve
• Outlines
colonies' efforts
to resolve
differences
• Not just “rebels”
• Law abiding
citizens
• Tried to make
system work
24

25. Fifth Part Declares
Independence
“…appealing to
the world for the
rectitude of our
intentions…”
“…united colonies
are absolved from
all allegiance to
the British crown.”
25

26. Rectitude
Righteousness as a consequence
of being honorable and honest
26

27. • No assurances the
separation would
succeed
• Leaders could be
hung as traitors
• Pledged to each
other “…our lives,
our fortunes, and
our sacred
honor.”
27

28. The Founders established the
government on the brand new concept
that “all men are created equal,” at a
time when they were surrounded by
_______.
A. rebellions
B. contentment
C. republics
D. monarchies
28

29. The Founders established the
government on the brand new concept
that “all men are created equal,” at a
time when they were surrounded by
_______.
A. rebellions
B. contentment
C. republics
D. monarchies
29

30. The United States Constitution
Revolutionary War-1777
The Articles of Confederation were the
first attempt to establish a government
30
of the United States.

31. 31

32. The First Continental Congress developed
the Articles of Confederation in 1777.
Achievements:
• Won the Revolutionary War
• U. S. acknowledged as a country
• Organized Northwest Territories
32

33. Articles appealed to
diverse groups of
separate little
countries.
The colonies’
individual interests
varied:
New England-seafarers-eastward toward
Atlantic
Middle and Southern-farmers-westward
33
towards more land

34. Colonies’ western
borders:
Some smaller colonies
were well defined,
others claimed vast
tracts westward.
No one really knew.
Daniel Shays’ rebellion
triggered new thinking
about the national
34
government.

35. What was the significance of the
organization of the Northwest
Territories?
A. It discouraged exploration by the
French
B. It blocked the British from threatening
from Canada
C. It later became five new states
D. It alleviated the overcrowded cities of
the northeastern states.
35

36. What was the significance of the
organization of the Northwest
Territories?
A. It discouraged exploration by the
French
B. It blocked the British from threatening
from Canada
C. It later became five new states
D. It alleviated the overcrowded cities of
the northeastern states.
36

37. Shay’s Rebellion and the Need
for a Stronger Government
1786-Daniel Shays—leader of
Massachusetts farmers heavily in
debt, losing homes and farms to taxes.
Sympathetic mobs intervened to keep
farmers’ (many Revolutionary War
Veterans) properties.
37

38. On January 25, 1787, to arm themselves,
the group attacked the Continental Army
Arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Rebellion failed when fired upon but it
was a warning to authorities.
Articles of Confederation required
unanimous consent of all states before
Federal action so this was a state matter.
This demonstrated the weakness of the
Articles of Confederation.
38

39. George Washington
(private citizen 1783-1787)
wrote to James Madison
(future drafter of
the Constitution):
“We are either a united people or we are
not. If the former, let us act as a nation.
If we are not, let us no longer act a farce
39 by pretending to it.”

40. Under the Articles of Confederation, the
government had no:
• real taxing authority
• executive or judicial branch
• power to regulate trade
• power to regulate relations
between states, or a state and
40
a foreign country

41. It required a two-
thirds vote by the
delegates to pass a
law.
States could not
agree on a national
currency, each
state printed
its own.
41

42. A constitutional convention
convened in May 1787 to amend
the Articles of Confederation.
Meeting until September,
it drew up a new constitution
instead.
Two plans considered:
• James Madison’s Virginia Plan
42
• New Jersey Plan

43. Constitutional Convention
A special meeting held to
draw up a new constitution
43

44. 44

45. Which of these factors did most of the
Founders NOT believe was a weakness
of the Articles of Confederation?
A. Powerless to direct relations
between states, or between states
and a foreign country
B. Powerless to impose a national
banking system
C. Powerless to regulate trade
D. Powerless to tax
45

46. Which of these factors did most of the
Founders NOT believe was a weakness
of the Articles of Confederation?
A. Powerless to direct relations
between states, or between states
and a foreign country
B. Powerless to impose a national
banking system
C. Powerless to regulate trade
D. Powerless to tax
46

47. James Madison
Youthful “Father of the Constitution”
• At 36, one of the
youngest founders
• Talents admired
• Most influential
• arrived early
• brought detailed
plan
47

48. • Kept most detailed
notes of session
proceedings
• Attended almost
every session
Much of what we
know today comes
from his notes.
48

49. Virginia Plan
• Strong central
government
• Three branches
• legislative
• executive
• judicial
49

50. Empowered national
legislature to:
• pass laws states
could not pass
• strike down state
laws conflicting
with national laws
• call armed forces
to enforce national
laws
50

51. William Paterson
offered the
New Jersey Plan
The New Jersey
Plan mainly just
tinkered with the
Articles of
Confederation
51

52. New Jersey Plan—national government:
• would have some taxing authority
• could levy import duties/stamp tax
• had power to collect from states
• had power to regulate trade
• Congress-passed laws would be
supreme laws of land
• included a form of executive and
judicial branches
52

53. Levy
To impose or collect (a tax)
53

54. Virginia Plan New Jersey Plan
• How much power should the
national government have?
• How would states’ representation
be determined? Should each state’s
representation depend on population
54
or geographical size?

55. Under Articles of Confederation
All states represented
equally
• small population
states liked
• large population
states disliked
Intense debate
threatened convention
55

56. Which of the following statements is NOT
true regarding James Madison’s role as
the Father of the Constitution?
A. He arrived early to the convention with
a prepared plan.
B. His copious, detailed notes have
allowed us to know about what
happened at the convention.
C. He was one of the oldest Framers of
the Constitution.
D. He was present at almost every
56 session of the convention.

57. Which of the following statements is NOT
true regarding James Madison’s role as
the Father of the Constitution?
A. He arrived early to the convention with
a prepared plan.
B. His copious, detailed notes have
allowed us to know about what
happened at the convention.
C. He was one of the oldest Framers of
the Constitution.
D. He was present at almost every
57 session of the convention.

58. The Great Compromise
Roger Sherman of Connecticut
reintroduced an earlier plan
• All states treated equal in
an upper house
• Lower house apportioned
by population
58

59. Balance between small and large
states
• Each state is allowed two Senators.
• 435 Representatives are divided based
on state population with a minimum of 1
59

60. Other
Constitutional Balancing Acts
The Great Compromise was important
but not the only compromise.
60

61. 61

62. Balance between the Federal
Government and States
• Federal government given specific
(enumerated) power
62
• States retain law-making powers

63. Balance between House
of Representatives and the Senate
• House of Representatives originates
all taxing laws
• Senate approves Presidential
appointments to the cabinet and
63 Supreme Court

64. x
Balance between the Senate and the
President
• Agreement needed on all treaties
between the United States and foreign
64
governments.

65. Legislative Executive
Each branch of the
government is
assigned specific
Judicial responsibilities.
65

66. • Legislative branch makes the laws
66 and levies the taxes.

67. • Executive branch enforces the laws.
67

68. U.S. Supreme Court
• Judicial branch interprets the laws and
assures the rights of the individual.
68

69. • The legislative branch passes laws.
• The president may veto laws.
• The legislature may over-ride the
president's veto with a 2/3 majority
vote.
• The judicial branch may declare a law
unconstitutional.
69

70. Veto
The right (of a President)
to reject a piece of legislation
70

71. U.S. GOVERNMENT’S CHECKS AND BALANCES
Executive Branch
The President
Constitution
Must approve appointments.
Judicial Branch Can impeach judges. Legislative Branch
Can declare a law unconstitutional
Supreme Court and set it aside.
The Congress
Federal Courts
71

72. States preserve a say in the union by their
collective power to approve or reject
constitutional amendments.
72

73. “…whenever two thirds of both
Houses shall deem it necessary,
shall propose Amendments to this
Constitution,…
or two thirds of the several States,
shall call a Convention for proposing
Amendments, …shall be valid …when
ratified by the Legislatures of three
fourths of the several
States, …”
73

74. What was the central proposal of the Great
Compromise?
A. The most heavily populated states would have
two national representatives, and the less
populated states one.
B. National representation would be determined
by the amount of taxes the states paid to the
national government.
C. The states would be divided into large
districts, with each district being assigned one
representative at the national level.
D. National representation would take place in
two houses, one with equal representation,
74
one with representation based on population.

75. What was the central proposal of the Great
Compromise?
A. The most heavily populated states would have
two national representatives, and the less
populated states one.
B. National representation would be determined
by the amount of taxes the states paid to the
national government.
C. The states would be divided into large
districts, with each district being assigned one
representative at the national level.
D. National representation would take place in
two houses, one with equal representation,
75
one with representation based on population.

76. Which of these relationships is
accurate?
A. The legislative branch: interpreting
laws.
B. The judicial branch: making laws.
C. The executive branch: enforcing laws.
D. The legislative branch: assuring
individuals’ rights
76

77. Which of these relationships is
accurate?
A. The legislative branch: interpreting
laws.
B. The judicial branch: making laws.
C. The executive branch: enforcing laws.
D. The legislative branch: assuring
individuals’ rights
77

78. An Overview of the
United States Constitution
Preamble
• Form a more perfect union
• Establish justice
• Ensure domestic tranquility
• Provide for the common defense
• Promote general welfare
• Secure the blessings of liberty
78 • To ourselves and posterity

79. Posterity
Future generations
79

80. 80

81. Article I - Legislative Branch
Section 1: Legislative power vested
Section 2: House of Representatives
Section 3: Senate
Section 4: Elections of Senators and
Representatives
Section 5: Rules of House and Senate
Section 6: Compensation and
81 Privileges of Members

82. Article I - Legislative Branch
Section 7: Passage of Bills
Section 8: Scope of Legislative Power
• Declarewar
• Raise & support armies
• Provide and maintain a navy
•Make rules for the forces
Section 9: Limits on Legislative Power
Section 10: Limits on States
82

83. Article II - Executive Branch
Section 1: Election, Installation, Removal
Section 2: Presidential Power
Commander-in-Chief of all armed
forces
Section 3: State of the Union, Receive
Ambassadors, Laws Faithfully
Executed, Commission Officers
Section 4: Impeachment
83

84. Article III - Judiciary
Section 1: Judicial Power Vested
Section 2: Scope of Judicial Power
Section 3: Treason
84

85. Article IV - States
Section 1: Full Faith and Credit
Section 2: Privileges and Immunities,
Extradition, Fugitive Slaves
Section 3: Admission of New States
Section 4: Guarantees to States for
autonomy and adherence
85

86. Autonomy
The quality or state of being
self-governing
86

87. Article V - The Amendment Process
2/3
3/4
87

88. Article VI - Legal Status of the Constitution
Supreme law of the land
88

89. Article VII - Ratify
July 1788
9 of 13
89

90. Ratify
To formally confirm or approve,
as of a treaty or a constitutional
amendment
90

91. The Preamble to the Constitution states
that the document is intended to protect
the liberty of _______, meaning future
generations.
A. posterity
B. primogeniture
C. predecessors
D. potentiality
91

92. The Preamble to the Constitution states
that the document is intended to protect
the liberty of _______, meaning future
generations.
A. posterity
B. primogeniture
C. predecessors
D. potentiality
92

93. Article I deals with the duties of _______.
A. the President
B. the Supreme Court justices
C. the states
D. Congress
93

94. Article I deals with the duties of _______.
A. the President
B. the Supreme Court justices
C. the states
D. Congress
94

95. Bill of Rights
Some states
would not ratify
without a bill of
rights.
With ratification
in jeopardy,
Framers
promised a bill
of rights after
ratification.
95 Independence Hall

96. Congress added the first ten
amendments to the U.S. Constitution
in 1791.
• defines citizens’ rights
• states limitations on governments
96

97. Amendment
A formal alteration to a document
such as a constitution or law
97

98. 98

99. Constitution—large institutional matters
Bill of Rights—ordinary individual lives
• Worship (or not)
• Peaceable assembly
• Speech and Press
99

100. Judges, lawyers and officers of the court
know the amendments governing:
• search and seizure
• self-incrimination
100 • right to counsel

101. Overview of the first 10 amendments
101

102. 102

103. First Amendment:
Freedom of Religion
The right to
exercise one's
own religion, or
no religion,
free from any
government
influence or
compulsions.
103

104. First Amendment:
Freedom of Speech
Even unpopular
expression is
protected from
government
suppression or
censorship.
104

105. First Amendment:
Freedom of the Press
Freedom of the press gives citizens
the right to print or publish truthful
105 thoughts, ideas, or opinions.

106. Supreme Court Justice
Oliver Wendell Holmes:
Freedom of religion,
speech, and the press
comes with the
responsibility to not
“…present a clear and
present danger…” to
the public. Each citizen
must exercise his or her
freedoms responsibly.
106

107. 107

108. Second Amendment:
The Right to Bear Arms
The right to bear arms allows citizens
108 to own weapons.

109. 109

110. Third Amendment:
Quartering of Soldiers
Citizens cannot be forced
to house (or quarter)
soldiers in their homes
during peacetime.
However, during wartime soldiers
can be quartered in private homes,
as prescribed by law.
110

111. Quartering
Lodging, or providing living
quarters for soldiers
111

112. The Bill of Rights was intended to define
the rights of the citizens and also to
state the _______ of the new state and
federal governments.
A. superiority
B. limitations
C. ambiguities
D. particulars
112

113. The Bill of Rights was intended to define
the rights of the citizens and also to
state the _______ of the new state and
federal governments.
A. superiority
B. limitations
C. ambiguities
D. particulars
113

114. 114

115. Fourth Amendment:
Search and Seizure
Civil Liberties
The right to be free of unwarranted
and unwanted government intrusion
into one's personal and private affairs,
115 papers, and possessions

116. Police may search only after obtaining
a warrant from a judge.
Part of everyday work for police,
116 courts, and lawyers.

117. 117

118. Fifth Amendment:
Criminal Proceedings and Due Process
The right to be treated fairly by the
government whenever the loss of
118 liberty or property is at stake.

119. Rights affecting criminal proceedings include:
• An indictment and grand jury hearing
• Protection against double jeopardy
119
• Protection against self-incrimination

120. Indictment
A written statement charging
someone with a crime or other
offense, drawn up by a
prosecuting attorney, and
presented by a grand jury
120

121. Double Jeopardy means a person
cannot be tried for the same crime twice.
121

122. Self-incrimination means a person is
protected from being forced to testify
122 against himself or herself.

123. The last section of the amendment
deals with preventing arbitrary
123 confiscation of private property.

124. What Supreme Court justice stated in
1917 that if someone’s words “present a
clear and present danger” to the safety
of the citizens, the words are not
protected by the first amendment?
A. Oliver Wendell Holmes
B. John Marshall
C. Earl Warren
D. William Taft
124

125. What Supreme Court justice stated in
1917 that if someone’s words “present a
clear and present danger” to the safety
of the citizens, the words are not
protected by the first amendment?
A. Oliver Wendell Holmes
B. John Marshall
C. Earl Warren
D. William Taft
125

126. 126

127. Sixth Amendment:
The Right to a Jury Trial
Guarantees the rights to:
• a trial by peers
• a prompt and public trial
• call and question witnesses
127 • an attorney

128. 128

129. Seventh Amendment:
The Right to a Civil Trial
Guarantees the right to:
• a trial in any dispute over
129
money or property

130. 130

131. Eighth Amendment:
Punishment for Crimes
Bail cannot be for an unreasonable
amount of money.
Bail is money or property given to a
court to guarantee that an accused
131 person will appear in court.

132. Courts cannot impose excessive
fines or punishments that are:
• Cruel
132
• Unusual

133. 133

134. Ninth Amendment:
Unenumerated Rights
Just because other rights and freedoms
are not mentioned in the amendments
doesn’t mean the citizens do not have
them. Not every right needs to be
134 enumerated.

135. Enumerated
To list, or to specify individually
135

136. 136

137. Tenth Amendment:
Powers Reserved to the States
Any power not assigned to the federal
government or forbidden to the states
remains with the states or the people.
Freedom, not restriction, is the
137 basis of our government.

138. The Fifth Amendment states that citizens
cannot be tried without a prosecuting
attorney-prepared document charging
them with a crime, called a/an _______.
A. warrant
B. writ
C. indictment
D. amendment
138

139. The Fifth Amendment states that citizens
cannot be tried without a prosecuting
attorney-prepared document charging
them with a crime, called a/an _______.
A. warrant
B. writ
C. indictment
D. amendment
139

140. Other Constitutional Amendments
After the first 10, only 17 more amendments
• 6 define a person and voting rights
• 200 years—still growing, changing,
expanding our definition of freedom
140

141. AMENDMENT XI
Passed by Congress March 4, 1794.
Ratified February 7, 1795.
Clarifies judicial power over foreign
nationals and limits the ability of
141
citizens to sue states.

142. AMENDMENT XIl
Passed by Congress December 9, 1803.
Ratified June 15, 1804.
Changes procedure for electing
Vice President.
142

143. AMENDMENT XIll
Passed by Congress January 31, 1865.
Ratified December 6, 1865.
Ended slavery throughout the
United States
143

144. AMENDMENT XIV
Passed by Congress June 13, 1866.
Ratified July 9, 1868.
Declared newly freed slaves to be citizens.
144

145. AMENDMENT XV
Passed by Congress February 26, 1869.
Ratified February 3, 1870.
Outlawed racial tests for voting.
145

146. AMENDMENT XVI
Passed by Congress July 2, 1909.
Ratified February 3, 1913.
Allowed federal government to
introduce a personal income tax.
146

147. AMENDMENT XVlI
Passed by Congress May 13, 1912.
Ratified April 8, 1913.
Provided for popular (direct) election
of Senators.
147

148. Amendment XII changes the procedure
of electing _______.
A. the president
B. the vice president
C. senators
D. Representatives to the House
148

149. Amendment XII changes the procedure
of electing _______.
A. the president
B. the vice president
C. senators
D. Representatives to the House
149

150. AMENDMENT XVllI
Passed by Congress December 18, 1917.
Ratified January 16, 1919.
Banned alcoholic beverages in the
Unites States.
150

151. AMENDMENT XIX
Passed by Congress June 4, 1919.
Ratified August 18, 1920.
Granted women the right to vote.
151

152. AMENDMENT XX
Passed by Congress March 2, 1932.
Ratified January 23, 1933.
• Changed presidential inauguration date
to January 20
• Changed Congress convening date to
January 3
• Clarified procedures to fill vacancies
152

153. AMENDMENT XXI
Passed by Congress February 20, 1933.
Ratified December 5, 1933.
Repealed Amendment XVlll.
153

154. AMENDMENT XXlI
Passed by Congress March 21, 1947.
Ratified February 27, 1951.
Limits Presidents to two terms of office.
154

155. AMENDMENT XXllI
Passed by Congress June 16, 1960.
Ratified March 29, 1961.
Granted residents of the District of
Columbia the right to vote in presidential
155
elections.

156. AMENDMENT XXIV
Passed by Congress August 27, 1962.
Ratified January 23, 1964.
Forbade states from requiring taxes
(head taxes) as a condition of voting.
156

157. AMENDMENT XXV
Passed by Congress July 6, 1965.
Ratified February 10, 1967.
• Clarified Presidential succession
• Provided for appointment of a new
Vice President
• Provided for temporary transfer
157 of Presidential powers

158. AMENDMENT XXVI
Passed by Congress March 23, 1971.
Ratified July 1, 1971.
Granted 18-year-olds the right
to vote in federal elections.
158

159. AMENDMENT XXVlI
Originally proposed September 25, 1789.
Ratified May 7, 1992.
Congressional pay raises do not
begin until after the next election.
159

160. Which amendment gave women the right
to vote?
A. XVII
B. XVIII
C. XIX
D. XX
160

161. Which amendment gave women the right
to vote?
A. XVII
B. XVIII
C. XIX
D. XX
161

162. Conclusion
The Declaration
of Independence
launched the
United States with
a new vision—a
Government
deriving its “…just
powers from the
consent of the
governed.”
162

163. During the first years, including the
Revolutionary War, the country was
governed by the Articles of
163 Confederation.

164. • A stronger national government was
needed.
• Constitutional convention convened
in Spring 1787 to revise Articles of
Confederation but drew up a new
Constitution instead.
• Stronger federal government
• executive
• legislative
• judicial
164

165. • By July 1788, a majority of states
ratified it and the Constitution took
effect.
• Congress and the states modified it
almost immediately with Bill of Rights
{Amendments 1-10}
• Over the following 200 years we
have added 17 more Amendments
165

166. The introduction to the
Declaration of Independence,
which announces the plan to
separate from the British Empire,
is known as the _______.
A. prologue
B. preface
C. prelude
D. preamble
166

167. The introduction to the
Declaration of Independence,
which announces the plan to
separate from the British Empire,
is known as the _______.
A. prologue
B. preface
C. prelude
D. preamble
167

168. A central idea of the Declaration
of Independence is that “life,
liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness” are among the
_______ rights of human beings,
those that cannot be taken away
or given to another.
A. unalterable
B. indivisible
C. unalienable
168
D. inevitable

169. A central idea of the Declaration
of Independence is that “life,
liberty, and the pursuit of
happiness” are among the
_______ rights of human beings,
those that cannot be taken away
or given to another.
A. unalterable
B. indivisible
C. unalienable
169
D. inevitable

170. The Founders felt strongly that
the government’s power should
come from the people, not from
someone ruling by _______
rights believed to have come
from a deity.
A. divine
B. regal
C. unalienable
D. consecrated
170

171. The Founders felt strongly that
the government’s power should
come from the people, not from
someone ruling by _______
rights believed to have come
from a deity.
A. divine
B. regal
C. unalienable
D. consecrated
171

172. Which of these statements is NOT accurate
about the Declaration of Independence?
A. One part describes the actions the
colonists took to resolve the problems
with England.
B. The document was intended to explain to
the world why the colonists were taking
such a drastic step.
C. It was signed by members of the First
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
D. The philosophy of government it stated
was so unique that the new country was
known as the “American experiment.”
172

173. Which of these statements is NOT accurate
about the Declaration of Independence?
A. One part describes the actions the
colonists took to resolve the problems
with England.
B. The document was intended to explain to
the world why the colonists were taking
such a drastic step.
C. It was signed by members of the First
Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
D. The philosophy of government it stated
was so unique that the new country was
known as the “American experiment.”
173

174. During the time when the country was
governed by the Articles of Confederation,
all of the following events occurred except
which one?
A. Both the Revolutionary War and the War
of 1812 were fought and won.
B. The United States was recognized as a
real country by other countries.
C. The Northwest Territories were
organized, setting the stage for the
addition of five new states.
D. Daniel Shays led a rebellion that brought
to light the weakness of the national
174
government.

175. During the time when the country was
governed by the Articles of Confederation,
all of the following events occurred except
which one?
A. Both the Revolutionary War and the War
of 1812 were fought and won.
B. The United States was recognized as a
real country by other countries.
C. The Northwest Territories were
organized, setting the stage for the
addition of five new states.
D. Daniel Shays led a rebellion that brought
to light the weakness of the national
175
government.

176. For what original purpose did the
Constitutional Convention assemble in
the spring of 1787?
A. To write a completely new constitution
B. To amend the Articles of
Confederation
C. To debate whether or not the Articles
of Confederation should be changed.
D. To discuss legal means of organizing
a national army to counter the threat
of a second war with England
176

177. For what original purpose did the
Constitutional Convention assemble in
the spring of 1787?
A. To write a completely new constitution
B. To amend the Articles of
Confederation
C. To debate whether or not the Articles
of Confederation should be changed.
D. To discuss legal means of organizing
a national army to counter the threat
of a second war with England
177

178. The leaders of early America felt
the Articles of Confederation
lacked some important powers,
including all of the following
except which one?
A. Method of taxation
B. Trade regulations
C. Federal bank
D. Executive and judicial
branches
178

179. The leaders of early America felt
the Articles of Confederation
lacked some important powers,
including all of the following
except which one?
A. Method of taxation
B. Trade regulations
C. Federal bank
D. Executive and judicial
branches
179

180. Which of these statements is NOT
true about James Madison, the
Father of the Constitution?
A. He supported the New Jersey
Plan.
B. He took detailed notes and
attended nearly every meeting.
C. He was one of the youngest
delegates, only 36 years old.
D. He arrived in Philadelphia early,
bringing a plan with him.
180

181. Which of these statements is NOT
true about James Madison, the
Father of the Constitution?
A. He supported the New Jersey
Plan.
B. He took detailed notes and
attended nearly every meeting.
C. He was one of the youngest
delegates, only 36 years old.
D. He arrived in Philadelphia early,
bringing a plan with him.
181

182. What controversial problem did
the Great Compromise solve?
A. How the state and federal
governments’ powers would be
balanced
B. How national laws would be
initiated and passed
C. How states’ representation
would be handled
D. How much power the president
182
should have

183. What controversial problem did
the Great Compromise solve?
A. How the state and federal
governments’ powers would be
balanced
B. How national laws would be
initiated and passed
C. How states’ representation
would be handled
D. How much power the president
183
should have

184. Which of these groups accurately reflects the
responsibilities of the three branches of the
federal government?
A. Judicial: makes laws
Legislative: interprets laws
Executive: enforces laws
B. Legislative: makes laws
Judicial: interprets laws
Executive: enforces laws
C. Legislative: enforces laws
Judicial: makes laws
Executive: interprets laws
D. Judicial: interprets laws
Executive: makes laws
184
Legislative: enforces laws

185. Which of these groups accurate reflects the
responsibilities of the three branches of the
federal government?
A. Judicial: makes laws
Legislative: interprets laws
Executive: enforces laws
B. Legislative: makes laws
Judicial: interprets laws
Executive: enforces laws
C. Legislative: enforces laws
Judicial: makes laws
Executive: interprets laws
D. Judicial: interprets laws
Executive: makes laws
185
Legislative: enforces laws

186. Which of these powers belongs to
the Supreme Court?
A. To pass amendments to the
Constitution
B. To confirm presidential
appointees to its own body, the
Supreme Court
C. To approve the constitutions of
new states
D. To rule that a law passed by
Congress is unconstitutional
186

187. Which of these powers belongs to
the Supreme Court?
A. To pass amendments to the
Constitution
B. To confirm presidential
appointees to its own body, the
Supreme Court
C. To approve the constitutions of
new states
D. To rule that a law passed by
Congress is unconstitutional
187

188. The legislative branch of the federal
government possesses all the
following powers except which one?
A. To determine the constitutionality
of a law
B. To confirm presidential
appointees to the Supreme Court
C. To override a presidential veto
with a two-thirds majority vote
D. To ratify all treaties the president
makes with foreign powers
188

189. The legislative branch of the federal
government possesses all the
following powers except which one?
A. To determine the constitutionality
of a law
B. To confirm presidential
appointees to the Supreme Court
C. To override a presidential veto
with a two-thirds majority vote
D. To ratify all treaties the president
makes with foreign powers
189

190. What term is used to refer to the
assigning or collecting of
taxes?
A. Draft
B. Remit
C. Levy
D. Confer
190

191. What term is used to refer to the
assigning or collecting of
taxes?
A. Draft
B. Remit
C. Levy
D. Confer
191

192. What type of action is a veto,
such as done by a president?
A. Confirmation
B. Rejection
C. Interpretation
D. Initiation
192

193. What type of action is a veto,
such as done by a president?
A. Confirmation
B. Rejection
C. Interpretation
D. Initiation
193

194. The Constitution begins by
asserting, among other things,
that “We the people of the
United States” intend to ensure
freedom for “ourselves and our
_______,” or future generations.
A. predecessors
B. posterity
C. forefathers
D. constituents
194

195. The Constitution begins by
asserting, among other things,
that “We the people of the
United States” intend to ensure
freedom for “ourselves and our
_______,” or future generations.
A. predecessors
B. posterity
C. forefathers
D. constituents
195

196. What term is used to refer to the
formal approval, as of a treaty
or an amendment to the
Constitution?
A. Ratification
B. Confirmation
C. Proclamation
D. Declamation
196

197. What term is used to refer to the
formal approval, as of a treaty
or an amendment to the
Constitution?
A. Ratification
B. Confirmation
C. Proclamation
D. Declamation
197

198. What term is used to refer to the
formal changing or altering of a
document such as a
constitution or a law?
A. Ratification
B. Restitution
C. Amendement
D. Amelioration
198

199. What term is used to refer to the
formal changing or altering of a
document such as a
constitution or a law?
A. Ratification
B. Restitution
C. Amendement
D. Amelioration
199

200. Both to define the rights of the
citizens and to state the _______
of the new state and federal
governments were the reasons
behind the first ten amendments
to the Constitution, called the
Bill of Rights.
A. qualities
B. limitations
C. superiority
200
D. restructuring

201. Both to define the rights of the
citizens and to state the _______
of the new state and federal
governments were the reasons
behind the first ten amendments
to the Constitution, called the
Bill of Rights.
A. qualities
B. limitations
C. superiority
201
D. restructuring

202. Which of these rights is NOT
guaranteed by the First
Amendment?
A. Of peaceable assembly
B. Of free speech
C. Of religion
D. Of bearing arms
202

203. Which of these rights is NOT
guaranteed by the First
Amendment?
A. Of peaceable assembly
B. Of free speech
C. Of religion
D. Of bearing arms
203

204. Who made it clear that the words of
any citizen who abused the right of
free speech to present “a clear and
present danger” would not be
protected by the Constitution?
A. Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court Oliver Wendell Holmes
B. US President Woodrow Wilson
C. Speaker of the House of
Representatives Henry Clay
D. Presidential Candidate Abraham
204
Lincoln

205. Who made it clear that the words of
any citizen who abused the right of
free speech to present “a clear and
present danger” would not be
protected by the Constitution?
A. Chief Justice of the Supreme
Court Oliver Wendell Holmes
B. US President Woodrow Wilson
C. Speaker of the House of
Representatives Henry Clay
D. Presidential Candidate Abraham
205
Lincoln

206. The Second Amendment
addresses which of these
topics?
A. Right to bear arms
B. Quartering of soldiers in
peace time
C. Search and seizure
D. Due process in criminal
proceedings
206

207. The Second Amendment
addresses which of these
topics?
A. Right to bear arms
B. Quartering of soldiers in
peace time
C. Search and seizure
D. Due process in criminal
proceedings
207

208. The Third Amendment prevents
citizens from being forced in
peacetime to quarter soldiers,
which means that citizens are not
required to _______.
A. contribute to their salaries
B. provide them a place to live
C. follow their orders except in
national emergencies
D. serve in the armed forces
except in war time
208

209. The Third Amendment prevents
citizens from being forced in
peacetime to quarter soldiers,
which means that citizens are not
required to _______.
A. contribute to their salaries
B. provide them a place to live
C. follow their orders except in
national emergencies
D. serve in the armed forces
except in war time
209

210. The Fifth Amendment protects
citizens from being tried without
a/an _______, which is legal
document prepared by a
prosecuting attorney charging
them with a crime.
A. writ of habeas corpus
B. warrant
C. indictment
D. summons
210

211. The Fifth Amendment protects
citizens from being tried without
a/an _______, which is legal
document prepared by a
prosecuting attorney charging
them with a crime.
A. writ of habeas corpus
B. warrant
C. indictment
D. summons
211

212. The Ninth Amendment states
that just because certain rights
are not _______ (listed or
specified) in the Constitution, it
does not mean that citizens do
not have that right.
A. validated
B. certified
C. prioritized
D. enumerated
212

213. The Ninth Amendment states
that just because certain rights
are not _______ (listed or
specified) in the Constitution, it
does not mean that citizens do
not have that right.
A. validated
B. certified
C. prioritized
D. enumerated
213

214. Which amendment permits
people to refuse to testify
against themselves?
A. Third
B. Fourth
C. Fifth
D. Sixth
214

215. Which amendment permits
people to refuse to testify
against themselves?
A. Third
B. Fourth
C. Fifth
D. Sixth
215

216. How many amendments to the
Constitution have been passed
since the Bill of Rights?
A. 12
B. 13
C. 16
D. 17
216

217. How many amendments to the
Constitution have been passed
since the Bill of Rights?
A. 12
B. 13
C. 16
D. 17
217

218. In what year were 18-year-olds
given the right to vote?
A. 1962
B. 1969
C. 1971
D. 1973
218

219. In what year were 18-year-olds
given the right to vote?
A. 1962
B. 1969
C. 1971
D. 1973
219

220. What subject do Amendments
XV, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, and XXVI
have in common?
A. Slavery
B. Governmental structure
C. Citizenship
D. Voting
220

221. What subject do Amendments
XV, XIX, XXIII, XXIV, and XXVI
have in common?
A. Slavery
B. Governmental structure
C. Citizenship
D. Voting
221

222. What was banned by one
amendment and then reinstated
when the amendment was
repealed?
A. Consumption of alcoholic
beverages
B. Levying of a personal income
tax
C. Establishment of slavery
D. Limitation of the presidential
222
term of office

223. What was banned by one
amendment and then reinstated
when the amendment was
repealed?
A. Consumption of alcoholic
beverages
B. Levying of a personal income
tax
C. Establishment of slavery
D. Limitation of the presidential
223
term of office

224. What document is unique
because it directly affects how
American citizens live their
daily lives?
A. Declaration of Independence
B. Bill of Rights
C. US Constitution
D. Articles of Confederation
224

225. What document is unique
because it directly affects how
American citizens live their
daily lives?
A. Declaration of Independence
B. Bill of Rights
C. US Constitution
D. Articles of Confederation
225