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American Democracy / Constitution Study Guide  1   2  3  |  Founding Documents  | Supreme Court Cases
Which legislation reflects federal efforts to regulate transportation?
Interstate Commerce Act
 
Which legislation reflects federal efforts to regulate transportation?
Interstate Commerce Act
 
The Mayflower Compact includes a pledge to ensure that all citizens look out for the general good of the colony.
Based on this, what impact has the Mayflower Compact had on modern understanding of the purpose of government in the United States?
The government should provide equal protection under the law.
 
Why did colonists living under British rule protest British tax policies?
The colonists claimed that the tax policies violated their political rights.
 
Use the excerpt below, from the Thirteenth Amendment, to answer the question that follows. 
“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted,
shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” Source: National Archives and Records Administration”.
Which of the following contains a clause that may have served as an inspiration for the above language?
Northwest Ordinances
 
During the 6th century B.C.E., the ancient Athenians divided the powers of their government between two assemblies and
guaranteed certain political rights to all male citizens. How do these political reforms best illustrate how societies develop?
by limiting government authority
 
In the United States, which of the following is permitted to citizens by the right of freedom of assembly?
the right to demonstrate.
 
Which modern process would be supported by the ancient Greeks?
electing governors
 
Which of the following cases resulted in a decision that undermined civil rights and liberties in prioritization of national security?
Korematsu v. United States
 
Government by the people and the separation of powers are the main principles of which founding document?
U.S. Constitution
 
In the Mayflower Compact, Plymouth settlers pledged to unite into "a civil body politic" and agreed to make and abide by laws that
"insured the general Good of the Colony." 
What founding document did this set a precedent for?
U.S. Constitution
 
By what process were eighteen-year-olds fully granted the right to vote?
constitutional amendment
 
Which of the following reflects the most important consequence of the Watergate break-in?
resignation of the president of the United States
 
In the United States, how are conflicts between state laws and federal laws generally resolved?
The conflict must be resolved using the Supremacy Clause.
 
Which of the following ancient civilizations established a republican form of government?
Roman
 
Which person is considered to be the principal author of the U.S. Constitution?
James Madison
 
“In order to attract investment and business and reduce expenses, a state legislature proposes passing a law that removes
the need for certain federal regulatory features relating to office and factory environments”.
Which legislative action would most likely cause the U.S. Supreme Court to decide that this violated the Supremacy Clause?
Occupational Safety and Health Act
 
The U.S. Congress fulfilled which of the following purposes of government when it declared war on Japan after the attack on Pearl Harbor?
providing for the common defense
 
At the Constitutional Convention, there was a major debate between large states and small states about representation in the new Congress.
This debate was resolved by the Great Compromise.
What was the result of this compromise?
Congress would have two houses, one in which state representation was based on population and one in which all states
had equal representation.
 
Which phrase best describes the power of impeachment?
the ability of the U.S. House to charge federal officers with a crime or violation
 
Which political philosopher’s ideas are best represented in the Declaration of Independence?
John Locke
 
What is the principal function of a written constitution?
outlining the structure and powers of a government
 
Which article of the U.S. Constitution grants the power to coin money, make treaties, and levy import duties?
Article I
 
A man is walking down a public street window-shopping.  A robbery is reported in that same area.
Police officers stop and search the man who is shopping.
On what Constitutional grounds could this man contest this search as a violation of his rights?
Fourth Amendment
 
Use the provided Preamble to the United States Constitution to answer the question.
“We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility,
provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our
Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
Which of the following statements best describes the Preamble of the U.S. Constitution?
Governments are accountable to the citizens over whom they rule.
 
A person is charged with felony breaking and entering. During the court proceedings, the defendant requested an attorney
and was denied the right to counsel. Which Supreme Court case overturned the trial court’s decision, due to lack of counsel?
Gideon v. Wainwright
 
Which modern democratic concept practiced in the United States is most like the democratic process of ancient Greece?
the referendum
 
Which of the following statements regarding the Monroe Doctrine is accurate
The Monroe Doctrine prohibited future European colonization in the Western Hemisphere.
 
Use the excerpt below, from the Declaration of Independence, to answer the question that follows.
He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.
Which constitutional provision was inspired by the above complaint?
The Third Amendment limits the quartering of soldiers to specific circumstances.
 
Use the passage below, taken from a presidential nomination speech, to answer the question that follows.
“What do the people of America want more than anything else? To my mind, they want two things: work, . . . and with work, a reasonable measure of security . . .”
Based on the passage, which government program would the speaker support?
New Deal
 
The Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, primarily functions to:
Protect individual liberties against government intrusion.
 
Which of the following is a power that the U.S. Constitution grants to Congress?
Power to declare war.
 
Which official is the top law enforcement official at the county level of government?
sheriff
 
Use the quotation to answer the question.
“The way to have good and safe government is not to trust it all to one, but to divide it among the many, distributing to
everyone exactly the functions in which he is competent.”
—Thomas Jefferson, letter to Joseph C. Cabell, 1816
How does this quote support the idea of different obligations for state and local governments?
Different levels of government can provide separate services more easily and efficiently.
 
Like the U.S. Constitution, the Florida Constitution establishes which of the following?
three branches of government
 
Why do some states prefer the Missouri Plan for choosing judges?
It combines appointment of judges with election of judges
 
Of the following, what may happen following a guilty verdict in a criminal case?
The defendant appeals the case to a higher court.
 
A conference committee merges the two bills.
 
What stops one branch of governmentt. from becoming too powerful?
Checks & balances.
 
Which U.S Supreme Court case held that a person accused of a crime must
be advised of their 5th & 6th amendment rights upon their arrest?
Miranda vs Arizona (1966)
 
Who does a U.S Senator represent?
The residents of a single state
The U.S Constitution requires that the President be elected by whom?
The electoral college
 
Which structure found in the U.S Constitution was included as a response to a concern expressed in the Declaration of Independence?
Separation of powers
Length of U.S President’s elected term?
4 years
 
Which phrase in the U.S Constitution addresses the power to seize property?
Eminent domain
 
Which phrase from a letter written by Sarah Grimké in 1837 is reflected in the 14th amendment?
“I ask no favors for my sex... I surrender not our claim to equality”
 
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The president
 
Which government officials are elected by the people?
Mayors
 
What are two natural rights identified in the Declaration of Independence?
Life and liberty
 
Why did many colonists fight the British during the American Revolution?
They opposed taxation without representation
 
Which part of the U.S Constitution protects the freedom of religion?
The bill of rights (1st amendment)
 
What is the first phrase of the U.S Constitution?
“We the people of the U.S, in order to form a more perfect union”
 
Which of the following cases held that reproductive rights were an element of the right to privacy under the Bill of Rights & the 14th amendment?
Roe v.s Wade (1973)
 
Which U.S Supreme Court decision was based on the equal protection clause?
Plessy v.s Ferguson
 
Which phrase from a letter by Abigail Adams to her husband John Adams in 1776 is reflected in the 19th amendment?
“I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them”
 
Which phrase from the English Bill of Rights (1689) is reflected in the U.S Constitution’s 3rd amendment?
“That keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace is against the law”
 
Which is a core theme of the Anti-Federalist papers?
Federal government should support enumerated individual rights
 
Which US supreme court decision was based on the necessary and proper clause?
McCulloh v. Maryland
 
Based on the US Constitution which part of the government was intended to hold the least power?
The judiciary
 
The colonists used a political cartoon with the caption “join or die” to support what?
Forming their own government
 
In what 1620 document do the writers form a “civil body politic”?
The Mayflower Compact
 
Which is a shared power in the federal system?
Collecting taxes
 
Which Supreme Court ruling held that the authors of the US Constitution did not intend for African Americans to be US citizens?
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
 
Who has the power to veto bills?
The president
 
Who signs proposed bills into federal laws?
The president
 
What is the length of a US Representative elected term?
2 years
 
How many US Senators represent each state?
Two
 
What is one qualification to serve as a member of the US House of Representatives?
Must be at least 25 years old
 
What is an example of a power reserved to the states?
Creating school systems
 
Why does article 1, section 7 of the US constitution require that tax bills be introduced in the house of representatives?
Because the original English colonists were taxed without their consent
 
What is an example of a democratic process?
The people elect a governor
 
Which of the following represents the principle of consent of the governed?
Individuals elect members of the House of Representatives
 
What does the US constitution do?
Set up the federal government of the United States
 
Which part of the government was created to reflect the colonists’ position that governments derive their
powers from the consent of the governed?
The legislature
 
What is one chamber of the US Congress?
Senate
 
Which two steps are required in order for someone to become chief justice of the US supreme court?
Nomination by the president and confirmation by the Senate
 
What are the three basic rights included in the first amendment?
Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and freedom of press
 
First 10 amendments of the U.S. Constitution are called?
Bill of rights
 
What is a core theme of the Federalist papers?
The proposed Constitution should be ratified
 
Which of the following represents the goal of the supremacy clause?
States may not pass laws that conflict with federal laws
 
First two paragraphs of the declaration of independence state what?
The preamble
 
Which statement from the English bill of rights is reflected in the US Constitution’s eighth amendment?
“that excessive bail ought not to be required nor cruel and unusual punishment inflicted”
 
What is an example of federalism?
The principle that the national and state government share power
 
Which US Supreme Court case focused on whether and enslaved person, having lived in free territory, should be free?
Dred Scott vs Sandford
 
Which US Supreme Court decision was based on the free exercise clause?
West Virginia vs Barnett
 
Which of the following pairs of supreme court cases resulted in limiting the power is for local governments?
Brown vs board of education
District of Columbia vs Heller
 
Who is the commander-in-chief of the military?
President of the United States
 
What is the highest federal court in the United States?
The Supreme Court
 
Which US Supreme Court case established the power of judicial review?
Marbury vs Madison
 
Which point of view is reflected in the “common sense”?
Representatives should be elective
 
What is the purpose of the civil rights movement?
To secure equalities
 
According to the authors of the Declaration of Independence, who is responsible for protecting natural rights?
The government
 
Which of the following cases impacted the interpretation of the 14th amendment?
Brown versus Board of Education
 
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Declared independence from Great Britain
 
What is one responsibility of only US citizens?
Serving on a jury
 
Which of the following pairs of cases impacted first amendment rights?
Texas versus Johnson
Hazelwood versus Kuhlmeier
 
What did the US Constitution do?
Formed a unitary government
 
What is the minimum number of US House of Representatives that represent each state?
One
 
Which US supreme court decision was based on the first amendment?
Tinker versus Des Moines (1969)
 
Which US Supreme Court decision resulted in reduced powers for state governments?
Row vs Wade
 
Which US supreme court case is correctly paired with the rights that pertain to the first amendment?
Citizens of the United States versus the federal election commission (2010)
 
Which right from the English bill of rights is reflected in the US Constitution’s first amendment?
“ to petition the king”
 
What is the purpose of the 17th amendment?
(outlines senate representation for the states and that there will bedirect election of US senators by US citizens)
To promote democratic participation
 
What is an example of judicial review?
The power of the Supreme Court to find laws unconstitutional
 
What phrase is included in the Declaration of Independence?
“All men are created equal”
 
Which of the following documents provided the rationale for the declaration of independence?
Common sense- a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1775 advocating independence from
Great Britain to the people in the colonies.
 
Which US supreme court case focused on executive privilege?
United States versus Nixon (1974)
 
Which US supreme court holding impacted the way that religious practice
was approached in public schools?
Engel vs Vitale (1962)
 
Which of the following was established by a constitutional amendment?
The president may serve no more than two elected terms
 
What is an example of representation?
The US Congress passes a law
 
Which of the following cases impacted fourth amendment protections at the state level?
Mapp vs Ohio (1961)
 
Which document was adopted by the newly independent United States to organize the national government
after declaring independence?
Articles of confederation
 
What is the “rule of law”?
No one is above the law
 
To the following cases reinforce the power of the courts?
Marbury vs Madison
 
Which action is an example of petitioning the government?
Lobbying officials
 
How did the holding in the US Supreme Court case Miranda vs Arizona impact criminal defendants?
It established that defendants were protected against self-incrimination
 
How did the holding in the US Supreme Court case Gideon versus Wainwright impact criminal defendants?
It established that defendants had the right to counsel
 
Which US supreme court decision focused on how states count popular votes for president and Vice President?
Bush vs Gore (2000)
 
Which right did the colonists consider “inalienable” in the Declaration of Independence?
Pursuit of happiness
 
Which scenario represents a violation of the equal protection clause?
A state law establishes a higher minimum wage for men then for women
 
How did the US constitution resolve the dispute between slave and free states over representation?
The 3/5 compromise
 
How did the supreme court case District of Columbia vs Heller impact state rights?
Reduce the ability of states to place restrictions on Second Amendment rights
 
What is the length of US senators elected term?
Six years
 
What is one power of the US Senate?
Ratify international treaties
 
What are the branches of the US federal government?
legislative
judicial
executive
 
Which of the following is a right reserved for US citizens only?
Running for federal office (ex.the president)
 
Which of the following pairs of cases focused on the rights of public school students?
Tinker vs Des Moines
Hazelwood vs Kuhlmeier
 
Which of the following documents provided an outline for a state centered government?
Articles of confederation
 
Which of the following cases reinforced the federal government’s authority to run a federal institution without
interference by a state?
McCulloh vs Maryland (1819)
 
Which document represents the supreme law of the land?
The US Constitution
 
If both the US president and the US vice president are unable to serve, who acts as president?
The speaker of the house
 
Due process of law
Fair treatment in judicial proceedings
 
What is the purpose of the selective service system?
To draw for compulsory military service
 
The U.S. Supreme Court enabled which government practices to continue in its ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson?
segregating public facilities
American Democracy / Constitution Study Guide  1   2  3  |  Founding Documents  | Supreme Court Cases

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