GOV CH2 MCQ PRACTICE

What forms of government are represented among the United Nations member countries?

The majority are democracies, with some monarchies and fewer dictatorships.

When did Switzerland and South Sudan join the United Nations?

Switzerland joined in 2002, and South Sudan joined in 2011.

What is notable about Switzerland's history before joining the UN?

Switzerland existed as an independent nation for over 350 years.

What is the literacy rate and standard of living in Switzerland?

Switzerland has a literacy rate of about 99 percent and one of the world's highest standards of living.

What challenges did South Sudan face prior to its independence?

South Sudan was part of Sudan, which had a history of political instability and civil wars.

What significant event occurred in South Sudan in 2013?

Another civil war broke out within South Sudan, leading to hundreds of thousands of casualties.

How did the Swiss and South Sudanese respond to the question of who should rule their nations?

Both answered 'the people,' with Switzerland adopting a democratic constitution in 1848.

What triggered the evolution of more formal systems of government?

The invention of farming, which led to settled communities and complex societies.

What is a city-state?

A sovereign state consisting of a city and its surrounding territory.

Where and when did the first city-states arise?

Around 3000 B.C.E. in Sumer, located in present-day southern Iraq.

What crops were grown by the Sumerians in ancient Mesopotamia?

Barley, wheat, dates, apples, and plums.

What geographical feature was crucial for farming in ancient Mesopotamia?

Irrigation, due to the largely desert land between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers.

What role did early governments play in ancient city-states?

They resolved issues of water distribution and provided protection through city walls and armies.

Who was Sargon of Akkad?

One of Sumer's early conquerors who helped create the world's first empires.

What led to the concentration of power in ancient city-states?

The emergence of strong rulers who conquered neighboring city-states.

What was the impact of farming on societal structure?

It led to the establishment of permanent villages and the need for more complex governance.

What was a common feature of governments in ancient Egypt, India, and China?

They evolved similarly to address the needs of growing populations and complex societies.

What is the significance of the UN General Assembly meeting in September 2018?

It was the 73rd session attended by delegates from 193 member nations.

What is the economic status of South Sudan compared to Switzerland?

South Sudan is impoverished with a traditional economy, while Switzerland has a thriving market economy.

What was the literacy rate in South Sudan at the time of its independence?

About one-quarter of adults in South Sudan could read.

How did the evolution of governments relate to the development of societies?

Governments evolved to meet the needs and resolve conflicts in increasingly complex societies.

What commonality do Switzerland and South Sudan share despite their differences?

Both nations recognized the people's right to rule.

What historical events shaped South Sudan's path to independence?

Years of civil war and discontent prior to gaining independence from Sudan.

What does Sargon's name mean?

It is thought to mean 'the true king.'

How did Sargon legitimize his power as an empire-builder?

He declared that the gods had given him the right to rule.

What form of government became the most common in early empires?

Monarchy, as power passed from father to son.

Who was Hammurabi and what is he known for?

Hammurabi was a king of the Babylonian Empire known for his code of laws called Hammurabi's Code.

What significant change did Athens make in the fifth century B.C.E.?

Athens reorganized itself as a direct democracy.

What is a direct democracy?

A form of government where public decisions are made directly by citizens in an assembly or by voting.

What did Pericles mean by government being in the hands of 'the whole people'?

He referred to male citizens of Athens, excluding women, slaves, and foreign-born individuals.

How did citizens of Athens participate in their government?

They dedicated significant time to governing themselves, a scale unique in the ancient world.

What form of government did Rome establish after overthrowing its monarchy in 509 B.C.E.?

Rome established a republic.

What is a representative democracy?

A form of government where public decisions are made by elected leaders representing the citizens' interests.

How long did the Roman Republic last?

Nearly 500 years.

What happened in 31 B.C.E. in Rome?

The Roman Empire was established, transitioning power from elected leaders to emperors.

What characterized the rule of the Roman Empire?

Emperors held absolute power for life.

What happened to the Roman Empire in 476 C.E.?

It fell to invading tribes from the east.

What occurred in Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire?

The empire broke into tiny districts ruled by dukes, lords, kings, or other nobles.

What was the impact of the lack of a strong central government after the fall of Rome?

Each district had to look out for itself, often seeking protection from more powerful neighbors.

How did weaker nobles typically pay for protection from more powerful lords?

They often paid with land.

What was the result of powerful lords gaining control over large areas?

They established a feudal system where land ownership was tied to protection.

Who was a leading proponent of the divine right of kings and transformed France into a leading power in Europe?

Louis XIV

What system involved lords granting land to vassals in exchange for military service?

Feudalism

What was the political obligation of vassals in the feudal system?

Vassals were expected to sit at the lord's court to help settle disputes and advise the lord on new laws.

What significant political change occurred in Europe during the 1300s?

The rise of absolute monarchies, where hereditary rulers claimed unlimited powers.

What phrase is famously attributed to Louis XIV, signifying his view of the monarchy?

"L'état c'est moi" ("I am the state").

What was the Glorious Revolution and when did it occur?

The Glorious Revolution, also known as the Bloodless Revolution, occurred in England in 1688 and established Europe's first constitutional monarchy.

What major revolution began in 1775 against British tyranny?

The American Revolution.

How did Abraham Lincoln describe the democratic government established by the American Revolution?

As "government of the people, by the people, for the people."

What role did military heroes play in the American and French revolutions?

Military heroes like George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte played significant roles in forming new regimes.

What was the outcome of the French Revolution that began in 1789?

It initially aimed for a constitutional democracy but took a radical turn and collapsed into chaos.

What type of regime did Napoleon Bonaparte establish after the French Revolution?

An authoritarian regime, where the state exercised broad control over citizens' lives.

What was one method used by Napoleon to maintain control over French citizens?

He used secret police forces to spy on them.

What was the fate of George Washington and Napoleon Bonaparte after their respective revolutions?

Washington died a hero, while Napoleon died in disgrace.

What led to the decline of the feudal system in Europe?

The consolidation of feudal districts into nation-states by absolute monarchs.

What did the American and French revolutions have in common regarding their stance on monarchy?

Both revolutions rejected monarchy in favor of democracy.

What was the significance of the term 'nation-states' in the context of the 1700s?

It referred to European countries that became centralized and governed by absolute monarchs.

What was the primary reason for dissatisfaction with absolute monarchies leading to revolutions?

The actions of despots who ruled for selfish ends.

What was the outcome of the French Revolution in terms of governance?

It resulted in chaos and the eventual establishment of an authoritarian regime by Napoleon.

What characterized the political structure of the first constitutional monarchy established in England?

The powers of the monarch were limited by a constitution.

What was the nature of the revolutions that occurred in Europe and the American colonies?

They were a response to tyranny and aimed to establish democratic governance.

What did the feudal system entail regarding land and military service?

Lords granted land (fiefs) to vassals in exchange for military service.

How did the feudal system influence the development of European parliaments?

Parliaments developed from meetings of vassals summoned by a lord or king.

What actions did Napoleon take to suppress opposition?

He censored the press and mounted his own propaganda campaigns.

How did Napoleon's governing style influence future political systems?

Historians argue that it set the stage for the rise of totalitarianism in the 20th century.

What is totalitarianism?

An extreme form of an authoritarian regime that seeks to control almost every aspect of its citizens' lives.

What historical event marked the beginning of 20th-century totalitarianism?

The Russian Revolution of 1917.

What was established in Russia after the overthrow of the monarchy in 1917?

The Soviet Union, the world's first state based on communism.

Who developed the political theory of communism?

German philosophers Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in the 1800s.

What was Marx's goal in developing communism?

To create a society that provides equality and economic security for all.

What does communism advocate regarding ownership of resources?

It calls for people to share ownership of land, factories, and other resources.

How did totalitarian states based on communism operate?

They often involved a single political party controlling the government and the economy.

Which dictators are known for using oppressive tactics in communist states?

Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union, among others.

What is fascism and where did it first appear?

A form of totalitarianism that first appeared in Italy during the 1920s.

How does fascism differ from communism in terms of economic control?

Fascism allows businesses to remain in private ownership under government control.

Who was the fascist dictator of Italy?

Benito Mussolini.

What is Nazism and how is it related to fascism?

Nazism is a variety of fascism based on the myth of racial superiority.

What actions did Adolf Hitler take after coming to power in 1933?

He began killing Jews and other groups he defined as 'undesirable'.

What are the three broad groups of government identified by Aristotle?

Rule by the one (monarchies and dictatorships), rule by the few (theocracies and single-party states), and rule by the many (parliamentary and presidential democracies).

What are the advantages of a monarchy?

Efficiency in decision-making, a clear line of succession, and the unifying power of loyalty to a ruling family.

What are some drawbacks of monarchal government?

The varying quality of hereditary leaders and the challenges of running a modern nation-state.

What titles do modern monarchs hold?

King, queen, sultan, emperor, and emir.

What is the role of King Salman in Saudi Arabia?

He acts as the ceremonial chief of state and head of government.

How has the power of modern monarchs changed compared to absolute monarchs like Louis XIV?

Modern monarchs' power is rarely as great as that of absolute monarchs.

What role does King Salman hold in Saudi Arabia?

He acts as the ceremonial chief of state and the head of government.

How does the power of the British monarch differ from that of the Saudi king?

The British monarch has ceremonial powers, while the Saudi king exercises broad legislative, executive, and judicial powers.

What limits the powers of the Saudi king?

In theory, only Islamic law and Saudi traditions limit the king's powers.

What significant political event challenged monarchies in Southwest Asia in 2011?

The Arab Spring.

How do dictators typically gain and maintain power?

Dictators take and hold power by force, often through military coups.

What is a coup d'état?

A sudden overthrow of a government by a small group of military officers or political leaders.

What characteristics do dictatorships share with absolute monarchies?

Power is centralized in the hands of a single leader who can efficiently maintain control.

What legitimacy issues do dictatorships face?

They often face pressure to return to control by elected leaders, leading to difficulties in ruling.

What is a theocracy?

A government headed by religious leaders.

What were the benefits of ancient theocracies?

They encouraged political and social unity and ensured political decisions aligned with moral values.

What challenges did larger states face in maintaining theocracies?

Enforcing religious unity became difficult, leading to the marginalization or persecution of religious minorities.

As of 2018, which two theocracies existed in the world?

Vatican City and Iran.

What is the role of the Pope in Vatican City?

The Pope is the head of state and the members of the government are all members of the Catholic Church.

When did Iran transition from a monarchy to a theocracy?

In 1979.

Who was the leader that established the Islamic republic in Iran?

Ayatollah Khomeini.

What is the function of the Council of Guardians in Iran?

To ensure that the laws of the country conform to Islamic religious law.