A: Principles of American Government

Question 1

1. What is the form of government of the United States?

Answer 1

• Republic
• Constitution-based federal republic
• Representative democracy

Question 2

2. What is the supreme law of the land? *

Answer 2

• (U.S.) Constitution

Question 3

3. Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.

Answer 3

• Forms the government
• Protects the rights of the people
• Defines powers of government
• Defines the parts of the government

Question 4

4. The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?

Answer 4

• Self-government
• Popular sovereignty
• Consent of the governed
• People should govern themselves • (Example of) social contract

Question 5

5. How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?

Answer 5

• Amendments

* The amendment process

Question 6

6. What does the Bill of Rights protect?

Answer 6

• (The basic) rights of Americans

* (The basic) rights of people living in the United States

Question 7

7. How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have? *

Answer 7

• Twenty-seven (27)

Question 8

8. Why is the Declaration of Independence important?

Answer 8

• It says America is free from British control.
• It says all people are created equal.
• It identifies individual freedoms.
• It identifies inherent rights.

Question 9

9. What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?

Answer 9

• Declaration of Independence

Question 10

10. Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.

Answer 10

• Equality
• Liberty
• Self-government
• Social contract
• Natural rights
• Limited government

Question 11

11. The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?

Answer 11

• Declaration of Independence

Question 12

12. What is the economic system of the United States? *

Answer 12

• Capitalism

* Free market economy

Question 13

13. What is the rule of law?

Answer 13

• Everyone must follow the law.
• Leaders must obey the law.
• Government must obey the law.
• No one is above the law.

Question 14

14. Many documents influenced the U.S Constitution. Name one.

Answer 14

• Declaration of Independence
• Articles of Confederation
• Federalist Papers
• Anti-Federalist Papers
• Virginia Declaration of Rights
• Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
• Iroquois Great Law of Peace

Question 15

15. There are three branches of government. Why?

Answer 15

• So one part does not become too powerful
• Separation of powers
* Checks and balances