Chapter 2 Flashcards
British colonists in North America in the late seventeenth century were greatly influenced by the political thought of ________.
King James II
Thomas Jefferson
John Locke
James Madison
King James II
The agreement that citizens will consent to be governed so long as government protects their natural rights is called ________.
the divine right of kings
the social contract
a bill of rights
due process
What key tenets of American political thought were influential in the decision to declare independence from Britain?
In a representative democracy, people elect representatives to make political decisions and pass laws for them. In a direct democracy, people make all political decisions and pass laws themselves.
What actions by the British government convinced the colonists that they needed to declare their independence?
What important power did the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation?
It could not coin money.
It could not declare war.
It could not impose taxes.
It could not conduct foreign affairs.
It could not conduct foreign affairs
In what ways did Shays’ Rebellion reveal the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
According to the Great Compromise, how would representation in Congress be apportioned?
Each state would have equal representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Congress would be a unicameral legislature with each state receiving equal representation.
Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on each state’s population and every state would have two senators.
Representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate would be based on a state’s population.
Each state would have equal representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
How did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention resolve their disagreement regarding slavery?
It was agreed that Congress would abolish slavery in 1850.
It was agreed that a state’s enslaved population would be counted for purposes of representation but not for purposes of taxation.
It was agreed that a state’s enslaved population would be counted for purposes of taxation but not for purposes of representation.
It was agreed that 60 percent of a state’s enslaved population would be counted for purposes of both representation and taxation.
What does separation of powers mean?
Why were The Federalist Papers written?
To encourage states to oppose the Constitution.
To encourage New York to ratify the Constitution.
To oppose the admission of slaveholding states to the federal union.
To encourage people to vote for George Washington as the nation’s first president.
What argument did Alexander Hamilton use to convince people that it was not dangerous to place power in the hands of one man?
That man would have to pass a religious test before he could become president; thus, citizens could be sure that he was of good character.
One man could respond to crises more quickly than a group of men like Congress.
It was easier to control the actions of one man than the actions of a group.
both B and C
D
Why did so many people oppose ratification of the Constitution, and how was their opposition partly overcome?
How many states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law?
all
three-fourths
two-thirds
one-half
three-fourths
What is the Bill of Rights?
first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual freedoms
powers given to Congress in Article I of the Constitution
twenty-seven amendments added to the Constitution over the years
document authored by Thomas Jefferson that details the rights of the citizens
15
The Fourteenth Amendment gave citizenship to African Americans and made all Americans equal before the law regardless of race or color. Over the years it has also been used to require states to guarantee their residents the same protections as those granted by the federal government in the Bill of Rights
