UNIT 5 DIRECT STUDY GUIDE - FIRST GOVERNMENTS & THE CONSTITUTION

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Library

UNIT 5 DIRECT STUDY GUIDE - FIRST GOVERNMENTS & THE CONSTITUTION

Last updated 5 months ago

50 questions

Required

2

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DIRECTIONS: Multiple Choice Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
“There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in  the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted: Provided, always,  That any person escaping into the same, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any  one of the original States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or service as aforesaid.” 
—from the Northwest Ordinance, 1787

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“It seemed necessary, for the security of property among uninformed, and perhaps licentious  [lacking in morals] people, as the greater part of those who go there are, that a strong toned government should exist, and the rights of property be clearly defined.”  
—letter, “To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee”, July 15, 1787

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DIRECTIONS: Multiple Choice Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. . . . In framing a government which is  to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to controul the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to controul itself.” 
—from The Federalist, No. 51, by James Madison or Alexander Hamilton, February 8, 1788

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“The executive and the legislative are so dangerously blended as to give just cause of alarm . . . in  such vague and indefinite expressions . . . that the authors dare not hazard to a clear investigation.” 
—from Observations on the New Constitution, by Mercy Otis Warren, 1788

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DIRECTIONS: Multi-Select Indicate the answer choice OR answer choices that best complete the  statement or answer the question. Select ALL that apply.

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What kind of government did the Articles of Confederation create?

a republic

a legislature

a strong federal government

a constitutional convention

Which weakness in the Articles of Confederation made it difficult for Congress to be effective?

Any amendment to the Articles were considered to be perpetual.

Any amendment to the Articles required majority approval.

To pass any law, the governors of all the states needed to vote yes.

To pass any law, 9 of the original 13 states needed to vote yes.

From the viewpoint of a settler, what was a positive feature of the Ordinance of 1785 and related laws?

Settled land was protected by laws passed in conjunction with the ordinance.

Settled land was protected by laws passed in agreement with Native Americans.

Land was parceled out into sections and sold at a set price.

Land was parceled out into sections for farming and granted to the first 10 settlers in each section.

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was limited because it could not

pass laws about land use

raise money by taxing citizens

enforce treaties with Native Americans

address the problem of slavery

What was one way the Land Act of 1800 was different from both the Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance?

It allowed settlers to pay less for land but limited the amount of land they could buy

It allowed settlers to pay for land over a period of several years rather than all at once

It set aside land for Native Americans as long as they could pay for it

It set aside free land for anyone who committed to farm the land while they lived on it

Many settlers in America started thinking the country needed a stronger central government to

protect the original states’ privileges as new states formed.

demand financial support from states to pay Revolutionary soldiers.

settle disputes among states as groups fought over limited land.

address the ongoing financial crisis and negotiate with Britain and Spain.

DIRECTIONS: Multiple Choice Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
“There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said territory, otherwise than in  the punishment of crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted: Provided, always,  That any person escaping into the same, from whom labor or service is lawfully claimed in any  one of the original States, such fugitive may be lawfully reclaimed and conveyed to the person claiming his or her labor or service as aforesaid.” 
—from the Northwest Ordinance, 1787

This clause from the Northwest Ordinance was

a guarantee that settlers’ constitutional rights would be protected.

the first attempt by the American government to stop the spread of slavery.

intended to protect the rights of the region’s Native Americans.

included at the insistence of congressional representatives from the South.

According to this excerpt, which of the following was true about the Northwest Territory?

Settlers to the Northwest Territory could decide for themselves whether to forbid slavery.

Enslaved people who escaped to the Northwest Territory could legally be returned into bondage.

African Americans could not be enslaved in the Northwest Territory as Native Americans  could be.

Involuntary servitude as punishment for crime was illegal in the Northwest Territory.

“It seemed necessary, for the security of property among uninformed, and perhaps licentious  [lacking in morals] people, as the greater part of those who go there are, that a strong toned government should exist, and the rights of property be clearly defined.”  
—letter, “To George Washington from Richard Henry Lee”, July 15, 1787

Which of the following is the best description of the type of people who were settling the Northwest Territory, according to Richard Henry Lee?

well educated

undisciplined

law abiding

hard working

According to the excerpt, what might happen if the Northwest Territory lacked a strong government and clearly defined property rights?

Schools might not have the land reserved for it in the Ordinance.

People could be jailed for taking someone else’s land.

There would be continual disputes about property lines, possibly leading to killings.

Native Americans would successfully argue that they still owned the land.

Massachusetts farmers revolted in Shay's Rebellion of 1786–1787 because

enslaved people began to demand their share of the crops when harvests improved.

farmers became reliant on governmental help and revolted when aid stopped.

when four farmers escaped imprisonment for failure to pay debts, they were killed.

when farmers in debt asked for help, the state seized their lands and imprisoned them.

How did free African Americans respond to ongoing discrimination in the Northern states?

They returned to Africa to reunite with family and friends.

They demanded entry into white schools, churches, and aid groups.

They formed their own churches, schools, and aid groups.

They revolted and participated in the movement that began as Shay’s Rebellion.

Why was a constitutional convention called in 1787?

Most governors wanted a committee to run the executive branch of government.

Many leaders saw a need for a stronger national government.

Most leaders focused on the judicial and legislative branches of government.

Many states opposed changes in the new national government.

Which plan called for a stronger national government?

the New Jersey Plan

the Connecticut Plan

the Virginia Plan

the Philadelphia Plan

What did some of the Constitutional delegates worry would happen without a Bill of Rights?

The federal government could abuse its power.

Enslaved people would revolt.

State governments could abuse their powers.

Native Americans would revolt.

How did the Constitutional Convention address the buying and selling of enslaved people?

Northern and Southern states agreed that trading enslaved people must end, but postponed the issue until 1808.

Southern states agreed to phase out the trade of enslaved people by no later than 1808.

Southern states refused to compromise until the Northern states agreed that the trade of  enslaved people was necessary to the economy.

Northern states had already banned the trade of enslaved people but agreed to postpone  the issue until 1808.

Which idea from the Magna Carta was incorporated into the U.S. Constitution?

The national government should be divided into three separate branches.

Everyone, even the head of government, must obey the law.

Citizens should support a strong, centralized government.

Governments are founded to give the people certain rights.

How did the French writer Montesquieu influence the U.S. Constitution?

He advocated that governments should guarantee jury trials

He developed the idea of the separation of powers

He believed that people have natural rights

He argued for freedom of religion

The concept that power should be shared between the national government and state governments is called

republicanism

separation of powers

due process

federalism

What is the job of the judicial branch of the federal government?

to write and pass laws for the United States

to choose the president and vice president

to appoint judges to federal courts

to interpret the laws of the United States

During the ratification debate, Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily divided over the

granting of suffrage to women and non-landowners.

treatment of Native Americans and enslaved people.

necessity of a bicameral legislature.

division of power between the states and the federal government.

Why was it critical that the states of New York and Virginia ratify the U.S. Constitution?

The first president would likely come from one of these two large states.

The new government needed these large states’ support to succeed.

These states’ approval curbed the veto power of slave-holding states in the Senate.

All 13 states had to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect.

DIRECTIONS: Multiple Choice Indicate the answer choice that best completes the statement or answers the question.
“If men were angels, no government would be necessary. . . . In framing a government which is  to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: You must first enable the government to controul the governed; and in the next place, oblige it to controul itself.” 
—from The Federalist, No. 51, by James Madison or Alexander Hamilton, February 8, 1788

According to this passage,

governments are needed to establish order because people are imperfect.

the best government is based on religious principles to ensure citizens are moral.

only wealthy, educated people should hold government positions.

the primary purpose of government is to teach moral lessons

This excerpt argues that

a strong central government is needed.

the Constitution does not need a bill of rights.

the executive branch should control the military.

a system of checks and balances is unnecessary.

“The executive and the legislative are so dangerously blended as to give just cause of alarm . . . in  such vague and indefinite expressions . . . that the authors dare not hazard to a clear investigation.” 
—from Observations on the New Constitution, by Mercy Otis Warren, 1788

In the view of Mercy Otis Warren, the Constitution lacked

an adequate system of checks and balances.

enough overlap in all of the branches to cause alarm.

enough power in the judicial branch of government.

a forceful executive branch of government.

Mercy Otis Warren probably thought that the Constitution gave too much power to

ordinary citizens

the executive branch

the states

a central government

In the United States, the people rule through elected representatives who make laws on behalf of the people. This is an example of the constitutional principle of

mecantillism

checks and balances

republicanism

limited government

Which is an example of a concurrent power?

the power to regulate foreign trade

the power to establish schools

the power to coin money

the power to raise taxes

The power of the Supreme Court to declare a presidential action unconstitutional is an example of the constitutional principle of

federalism

popular sovereignty

checks and balances

republicanism

In which part of the Constitution are freedom of speech and freedom of religion protected?

Article II

Article I

the Bill of Rights

the Preamble

The authority of the nation’s people to establish a system of government that promotes their well-being is the principle of

checks and balances

federalism

enumerated powers

popular sovereignty

Evolving interpretations of constitutional language, as well as the amendment process, have been used to

reduce the importance of the Supreme Court.

limit the number of terms elected legislators can serve.

limit the participation of women and minorities in government.

allow the application of the Constitution to adapt to changing times.

Which act would be protected under the Bill of Rights in the First Amendment?

a threatening message on a billboard

a protest march organized with the intent to start violence

speech that criticizes the government, such as an opinion piece on a web page

speech that threatens public health or safety, such as speech that urges people to commit illegal acts

Which of the following is one role of the legislative branch?

appointing ambassadors

negotiating treaties

declaring war

directing foreign policy

What is the primary duty of the executive branch?

appointing justices to the Supreme Court

proposing legislation to Congress

carrying out the laws passed by Congress

determining the constitutionality of laws

One role of the judicial branch is to

oversee the U.S. military during times of war.

authorize the spending of money collected through taxes.

determine the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress.

appoint members of the president’s cabinet.

Which of the following guarantees the right to be protected from unfair government actions?

the right of free assembly

the right of free speech

the right of equal protection

the right of due process

Which of the following is a responsibility that comes with U.S. citizenship?

obeying the law

paying taxes

serving on a jury

voting in elections

DIRECTIONS: Multi-Select Indicate the answer choice OR answer choices that best complete the  statement or answer the question. Select ALL that apply.

Under the New Jersey Plan proposed by William Paterson, the new nation’s government would have

an executive branch with strictly limited powers.

an executive branch chosen by Congress.

a single, legislative house with equal representation from all states.

a judicial branch appointed by the executive branch.

Which events led to discussing changes to the Articles of Confederation?

Violent protests broke out regarding state government seizure of farmers’ lands.

Spain prevented American ships from using the lower Mississippi River.

What kind of government did the Articles of Confederation create?

a republic

a legislature

a strong federal government

a constitutional convention

Which weakness in the Articles of Confederation made it difficult for Congress to be effective?

Any amendment to the Articles were considered to be perpetual.

Any amendment to the Articles required majority approval.

To pass any law, the governors of all the states needed to vote yes.

To pass any law, 9 of the original 13 states needed to vote yes.

From the viewpoint of a settler, what was a positive feature of the Ordinance of 1785 and  related laws?

Settled land was protected by laws passed in conjunction with the ordinance.

Settled land was protected by laws passed in agreement with Native Americans.

Land was parceled out into sections and sold at a set price.

Land was parceled out into sections for farming and granted to the first 10 settlers in each section.

Under the Articles of Confederation, Congress was limited because it could not

pass laws about land use

raise money by taxing citizens

enforce treaties with Native Americans

address the problem of slavery

What was one way the Land Act of 1800 was different from both the Ordinance of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance?

It allowed settlers to pay less for land but limited the amount of land they could buy

It allowed settlers to pay for land over a period of several years rather than all at once

It set aside land for Native Americans as long as they could pay for it

It set aside free land for anyone who committed to farm the land while they lived on it

Many settlers in America started thinking the country needed a stronger central government to

protect the original states’ privileges as new states formed.

demand financial support from states to pay Revolutionary soldiers.

settle disputes among states as groups fought over limited land.

address the ongoing financial crisis and negotiate with Britain and Spain.

This clause from the Northwest Ordinance was

a guarantee that settlers’ constitutional rights would be protected.

the first attempt by the American government to stop the spread of slavery.

intended to protect the rights of the region’s Native Americans.

included at the insistence of congressional representatives from the South.

According to this excerpt, which of the following was true about the Northwest Territory?

Settlers to the Northwest Territory could decide for themselves whether to forbid slavery.

Enslaved people who escaped to the Northwest Territory could legally be returned into bondage.

African Americans could not be enslaved in the Northwest Territory as Native Americans  could be.

Involuntary servitude as punishment for crime was illegal in the Northwest Territory.

Which of the following is the best description of the type of people who were settling the Northwest Territory, according to Richard Henry Lee?

well educated

undisciplined

law abiding

hard working

According to the excerpt, what might happen if the Northwest Territory lacked a strong government and clearly defined property rights?

Schools might not have the land reserved for it in the Ordinance.

People could be jailed for taking someone else’s land.

There would be continual disputes about property lines, possibly leading to killings.

Native Americans would successfully argue that they still owned the land.

Massachusetts farmers revolted in Shay's Rebellion of 1786–1787 because

enslaved people began to demand their share of the crops when harvests improved.

farmers became reliant on governmental help and revolted when aid stopped.

when four farmers escaped imprisonment for failure to pay debts, they were killed.

when farmers in debt asked for help, the state seized their lands and imprisoned them.

How did free African Americans respond to ongoing discrimination in the Northern states?

They returned to Africa to reunite with family and friends.

They demanded entry into white schools, churches, and aid groups.

They formed their own churches, schools, and aid groups.

They revolted and participated in the movement that began as Shay’s Rebellion.

Why was a constitutional convention called in 1787?

Most governors wanted a committee to run the executive branch of government.

Many leaders saw a need for a stronger national government.

Most leaders focused on the judicial and legislative branches of government.

Many states opposed changes in the new national government.

Which plan called for a stronger national government?

the New Jersey Plan

the Connecticut Plan

the Virginia Plan

the Philadelphia Plan

What did some of the Constitutional delegates worry would happen without a Bill of Rights?

The federal government could abuse its power.

Enslaved people would revolt.

State governments could abuse their powers.

Native Americans would revolt.

How did the Constitutional Convention address the buying and selling of enslaved people?

Northern and Southern states agreed that trading enslaved people must end, but postponed the issue until 1808.

Southern states agreed to phase out the trade of enslaved people by no later than 1808.

Southern states refused to compromise until the Northern states agreed that the trade of  enslaved people was necessary to the economy.

Northern states had already banned the trade of enslaved people but agreed to postpone  the issue until 1808.

Which idea from the Magna Carta was incorporated into the U.S. Constitution?

The national government should be divided into three separate branches.

Everyone, even the head of government, must obey the law.

Citizens should support a strong, centralized government.

Governments are founded to give the people certain rights.

How did the French writer Montesquieu influence the U.S. Constitution?

He advocated that governments should guarantee jury trials

He developed the idea of the separation of powers

He believed that people have natural rights

He argued for freedom of religion

The concept that power should be shared between the national government and state  governments is called

republicanism

separation of powers

due process

federalism

What is the job of the judicial branch of the federal government?

to write and pass laws for the United States

to choose the president and vice president

to appoint judges to federal courts

to interpret the laws of the United States

During the ratification debate, Federalists and Anti-Federalists were primarily divided over the

granting of suffrage to women and non-landowners.

treatment of Native Americans and enslaved people.

necessity of a bicameral legislature.

division of power between the states and the federal government.

Why was it critical that the states of New York and Virginia ratify the U.S. Constitution?

The first president would likely come from one of these two large states.

The new government needed these large states’ support to succeed.

These states’ approval curbed the veto power of slave-holding states in the Senate.

All 13 states had to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect.

According to this passage,

governments are needed to establish order because people are imperfect.

the best government is based on religious principles to ensure citizens are moral.

only wealthy, educated people should hold government positions.

the primary purpose of government is to teach moral lessons

This excerpt argues that

a strong central government is needed.

the Constitution does not need a bill of rights.

the executive branch should control the military.

a system of checks and balances is unnecessary.

In the view of Mercy Otis Warren, the Constitution lacked

an adequate system of checks and balances.

enough overlap in all of the branches to cause alarm.

enough power in the judicial branch of government.

a forceful executive branch of government.

Mercy Otis Warren probably thought that the Constitution gave too much power to

ordinary citizens

the executive branch

the states

a central government

In the United States, the people rule through elected representatives who make laws on behalf  of the people. This is an example of the constitutional principle of

mecantillism

checks and balances

republicanism

limited government

Which is an example of a concurrent power?

the power to regulate foreign trade

the power to establish schools

the power to coin money

the power to raise taxes

The power of the Supreme Court to declare a presidential action unconstitutional is an  example of the constitutional principle of

federalism

popular sovereignty

checks and balances

republicanism

In which part of the Constitution are freedom of speech and freedom of religion protected?

Article II

Article I

the Bill of Rights

the Preamble

The authority of the nation’s people to establish a system of government that promotes their  well-being is the principle of

checks and balances

federalism

enumerated powers

popular sovereignty

Evolving interpretations of constitutional language, as well as the amendment process, have been used to

reduce the importance of the Supreme Court.

limit the number of terms elected legislators can serve.

limit the participation of women and minorities in government.

allow the application of the Constitution to adapt to changing times.

Which act would be protected under the Bill of Rights in the First Amendment?

a threatening message on a billboard

a protest march organized with the intent to start violence

speech that criticizes the government, such as an opinion piece on a web page

speech that threatens public health or safety, such as speech that urges people to commit illegal acts

Which of the following is one role of the legislative branch?

appointing ambassadors

negotiating treaties

declaring war

directing foreign policy

What is the primary duty of the executive branch?

appointing justices to the Supreme Court

proposing legislation to Congress

carrying out the laws passed by Congress

determining the constitutionality of laws

One role of the judicial branch is to

oversee the U.S. military during times of war.

authorize the spending of money collected through taxes.

determine the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress.

appoint members of the president’s cabinet.

Which of the following guarantees the right to be protected from unfair government actions?

the right of free assembly

the right of free speech

the right of equal protection

the right of due process

Which of the following is a responsibility that comes with U.S. citizenship?

obeying the law

paying taxes

serving on a jury

voting in elections

Under the New Jersey Plan proposed by William Paterson, the new nation’s government would have

an executive branch with strictly limited powers.

an executive branch chosen by Congress.

a single, legislative house with equal representation from all states.

a judicial branch appointed by the executive branch.

Which events led to discussing changes to the Articles of Confederation?

Violent protests broke out regarding state government seizure of farmers’ lands.

Spain prevented American ships from using the lower Mississippi River.

Great Britain continued to maintain forts in U.S. territory.

Several Northern states passed laws that gradually ended slavery.

Roger Sherman resolved the Constitutional Convention’s dispute between large and small  states regarding their representation in Congress by proposing

the Three-Fifths Compromise.

the Electoral College.

a bicameral legislature.

a bill of rights to the Constitution.

Through applying the views of English philosopher John Locke, the Framers viewed the U.S. Constitution as a

contract between the American people and their government.

way to preserve the power of elite, educated landowners.

plan that would eventually result in the emancipation of enslaved people.

document that protected citizens’ rights by limiting government power.

Which provision in the U.S. Constitution provides for the indirect election of the president and vice president?

the Electoral College

judicial review

the Bill of Rights

separation of powers

The Constitution creates three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. This constitutional principle is called

republicanism

checks and balances

federalism

separation of powers

Which of the following is an example of implied powers of Congress?

Congress regulates interstate commerce.

Congress establishes a federal minimum wage.

Congress declares war on a hostile nation.

Congress creates a national park system.

What is the role of district courts?

They rule on the most difficult legal questions.

They decide on the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress.

They are the trial courts for the federal government.

They hear cases on appeal from lower courts.

Which of the following are responsibilities of each American citizen?

obeying local, state, and federal laws

remaining informed about current events

pursuing an education

voting in elections

What does the image represent in regards to government?

republicanism

federalism

checks and balances

separation of power

Which of the following can be inferred from this map of the Northwest Territory?

Several roads connected the Northwest Territory to the eastern states.

There was little to no trade in the Northwest Territory when the United States acquired the region.

The Northwest Territory was under constant threat of attack by the French.

The federal government placed great importance on public education.

Based on the map, it is reasonable to conclude that many of the first settlers from the original states made their way to the Northwest Territory via the...

Ohio River

Mississippi River

Missouri River

Atlantic Ocean