Study Guide for the Test on SOLs CE.2b, 2c, 2d, and 3b
CE.2b
1. The Charters of the Virginia Company of London guaranteed that the colonists would have the rights of Englishmen.
2. The Virginia Declaration of Rights served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the United States Constitution.
3. The Declaration of Independence: (written by Thomas Jefferson)
a. Stated grievances against the King of Great Britain
b. Declared the colonies’ independence from Great Britain
c. Affirmed “certain unalienable rights” (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
d. Established the idea that all people are equal under the law
4. The Articles of Confederation:
a. Established the first form of national government for the independent states
b. Maintained that major powers resided with the individual states
c. Created a weak central government (e.g., no power to tax or enforce laws)
LED TO the writing of the Constitution of the United States of America
5. What is important about the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom? (written by Thomas Jefferson) It expressed freedom for religious thought and opinion.
What part of the US Constitution did it influence? The religion part of the 1st Amendment
6. All of the above documents influenced the writing of the United States Constitution.
7. What does the Constitution of the United States (including the Bill of Rights) do?
A. Establishes the structure of the United States government
B. Guarantees equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority
protected
C. Affirms individual worth and dignity of all people
D. Protects the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
CE.2c
8. What does the Preamble to the United States Constitution express? The reasons the Constitution was written
a. To form a more perfect union
Meaning to establish a government to bring the states together under a better system
than under the Articles of Confederation
b. To establish justice
Meaning to establish fair laws and fair courts so all are treated equally
c. To ensure domestic tranquility
Meaning to make sure there is peace in the nation
d. To provide for the common defense
Meaning to keep the nation safe from its enemies (a military to protect the country)
e. To promote the general welfare
Meaning to ensure the people have the opportunity to be healthy, happy, and
prosperous
f. To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity
Meaning to make sure that we as well as future generations enjoy the freedoms that we
have
9. What are the most important words in the United States Constitution? We the people
What do they mean? Establishes that the power of the government comes from the people
CE.2d
10. What is the procedure used to amend the United States Constitution?
A. PROPOSAL: action by Congress or convention
B. RATIFICATION: by the state legislatures
The amendment process is complex
Why? So only necessary changes are made to the Constitution
How many amendments have been added to the Constitution so far? 27
The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution are called the Bill of Rights
11. What is the procedure used to amend the Constitution of Virginia?
A. PROPOSAL: action by General Assembly
B. RATIFICATION: by the voters of Virginia
12. What does propose mean? to suggest
13. What does ratify mean? to approve
CE.3b
14. The Constitution of the United States of America establishes and protects the citizens’
fundamental rights and liberties.
15. There are few rights, if any, that are considered absolute.
16. What are the fundamental rights and liberties that are guaranteed in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States of America?
Freedom of religion
Establishment clause: the government may not establish an official religion
Free expression clause: the government may not endorse or duly interfere with
the way someone worships (or doesn’t worship)
Freedom of speech
Examples lectures, internet communication, radio and TV broadcasts
Meaning individuals are free to express their opinions and beliefs
Freedom of the press
Examples newspapers, magazines, TV news, radio news
Meaning the press has a right to gather and publish information, including that
which criticizes the government
Freedom of assembly
Examples meetings, political rallies, clubs
Meaning individuals may peacefully gather
Freedom of petition
Examples sign a petition, email your lawmaker, write letters to your lawmaker
Meaning individuals have the right to make their views known to public officials
(the government)
17. What does the 14th Amendment do?
a. defines citizenship as anyone born or naturalized in the United States
b. requires the states to follow due process protections (follow the Bill of Rights)
18. What is due process? the legal right to be treated equally and fairly
19. The United States Constitution has three parts:
a. Preamble
b. Articles
c. Amendments