Gov't Midterm Review: Section One: Foundations of American Government and the U.S. Constitution

Put the following events/documents in chronological order. Articles of Confederation, Bill of Rights, Constitution, and Declaration of Independence.

Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776), Articles of Confederation (adopted by Congress in 1777, ratified in 1781), Constitutions (signed in 1787, took effect in 1789), Bill of Rights (ratified in 1791)

America’s first national government which gave almost all power to the states was/is called…

Articles of Confederation

Identify at least four people, documents, or governments that had a significant impact on the creation of the American government.

Thomas Jefferson (Declaration of Independence), James Madison (Constitution, Federalist), John Locke (natural rights), Declaration of Independence (declared separation and core beliefs)

What is the difference between “pure” democracy and indirect/representative democracy?

Main difference: is who votes on laws. In a pure democracy, citizens vote directly on every law. Indirect democracy citizens elect representatives to vote on laws for them.

What natural rights does the Declaration of Independence reference directly?

Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness

According to the Declaration of Independence, the source of all government power comes from…

The Consent of the Governed

What was the primary purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

Formally announce the 13 American colonies separation from Great Britain, explain the reasons for this break, and assert their right to self-governance.

List a least five weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. What was its greatest flaw, according to critics?

Lack of power to enforce laws and raise revenue (taxation/commerce control)

How was the Whiskey Rebellion handled differently than Shays’ Rebellion? What did that demonstrate about the Articles of Confederation vs. the Constitution?

The Whiskey Rebellion (1794) demonstrated the new Constitution’s strength.

What did Anti-Federalist dislike about the Constitution?

They feared a strong central government would become tyrannical, overpower the states, and threaten individual liberties.

Who were the Federalists, and what did they support?

The supporters of the U.S. Constitution who advocated for a strong, central government to ensure national stability and security

What did the Anti-Federalist demand in order to ratify the Constitution and give individuals more rights?

A Bill of Rights

How did the Great Compromise (or Connecticut Compromise) reconcile differences between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan?

Creating a bicameral legislature with two houses: a House of Representatives and a Senate

What term describes the current system of government we have in the United States?

Representative Democracy

The U.S. Constitution has the following basic elements: a ____ (i.e. introduction), ____ (#) Articles, and ____ (#) Amendments.

The Preamble, 7 articles, and 27 admendments

Where can you find the Bill of Rights in the Constitution?

Articles 3-12