midterm 1

Question 1

1. What kind of government does the United States have?

Answer 1

Republic/Representative Democracy

Question 2

2. Which core American ideal describes a commitment to personal initiative and self-sufficiency?

Answer 2

Individualism

Question 3

3. What principle that characterizes our government describes the ability of all adults to participate in our electoral system at every level, either through serving in a position or voting?

Answer 3

Political Equality

Question 4

4. What is the major barrier to political thinking?

Answer 4

The unwillingness of citizens to take actions

Question 5

5. Which war set off the events leading to the Revolutionary War?

Answer 5

Seven Years War/ French and Indian War

Question 6

6. The Port Bill and Massachusetts Governing Act were components of which Act passed in the aftermath of the Boston Tea Party?

Answer 6

Coercive/Intolerable Acts

Question 7

7. Who was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 7

Thomas Jefferson

Question 8

8. What kind of rights are espoused in the Declaration of Independence?

Answer 8

Inalienable Rights (those which cannot be taken away and are not given by man) Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Question 9

9. What are the three rights are outlined in the Declaration of Independence as rights to which all people are entitled?

Answer 9

Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Question 10

10. What does the Declaration of Independence indicate prudence should keep people from doing?

Answer 10

Revolting for light or transient causes

Question 11

11. In order to get out of the state of nature, people enter into an agreement called what?

Answer 11

Social Contract (Locke)

Question 12

12. What are the years between independence and the establishment of the Constitution is referred to as?

Answer 12

Critical Period

Question 13

13. What was the cause of Shays’ Rebellion?

Answer 13

Poor Farmers (Veterans) having their property repossessed/ Economic strife among poor farmers and middle class citizens

Question 14

14. Why was Shays’ Rebellion particularly disturbing to the founders and other government leaders?

Answer 14

Showed the weakness of the government under the Articles of Confederation

Question 15

15. Which rule is considered to have been the most important rule for the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

Answer 15

Rule of Secrecy

Question 16

16. How many states were required to ratify the Constitution before it could go into effect?

Answer 16

Nine (9)

Question 17

17. Who were the three authors of The Federalist Papers?

Answer 17

Jay, Maddison and Hamilton

Question 18

18. Which convention was called to address trade and commercial problems in September 1786?

Answer 18

Annapolis Convention

Question 19

19. Another name for the Great Compromise is what?

Answer 19

Connecticut Compromise

Question 20

20. What were some of the features of the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 20

• “League of Friendship”
• State sovereignty
• Single governing institution/ Unicameral Legislature
• State equality
• Limited powers
• Supermajority requirement
• Amendments
• Lack of enforcement mechanism

Question 21

21. According to the authors of the Constitution, what were the key elements of the common good that a “more perfect Union” would help to achieve?

Answer 21

A improving government or one that can be changed

Question 22

22. A contemporary legislator who voted for a bill because of a belief in its benefit, even though his constituents back home overwhelmingly opposed the bill, would be performing the Edmund Burke role of what?

Answer 22

A trustee

Question 23

23. The term of office for a U.S. senator is ________ years, while that of a member of the U.S. House is ________ years.

Answer 23

Senator 6 years, Representative 2

Question 24

24. In Federalist No. 51, Madison argues what element is important for ensuring a separation of powers between the three branches?

Answer 24

Necessary constitutional means and personal motives

Question 25

25. Who was California’s principal progressive politician?

Answer 25

Hiram Johnson