US History & Government

Review for Test #2

Format: 40 Multiple Choice Questions

Declaration of Independence & Revolution

  1. Which side had more advantages in the Revolutionary War? Identify those advantages

Britain—See table page 3

  1. Who helped us win our independence from Britain?

France

  1. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To explain why we were separating from Britain.

  1. Where did the ideas found in the Declaration of Independence come from?

John Locke-Enlightenment philosopher

  1. According to the Declaration, what is the purpose of government?

To protect peoples natural rights

  1. What does the Declaration mean when it states that governments derive “their just power from the consent of the governed”?

We the people give the government power: Popular Sovereignty

  1. According to the Declaration, why did the US have the right to declare independence?

Britain had deprived us of our natural rights. We had the right to a revolution.

Articles of Confederation

  1. What was a criticism of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

National Government lacked power. States had all the power. National government could not enforce laws.

  1. The Articles of Confederation provided for one branch of government. What was it?

Only one branch, legislative branch

  1. What were the weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

No president, No court system, no standing army, no control of interstate trade, Congress had no power to tax.

  1. Why did the Founding Fathers create a weak government under the Articles of Confederation?

They didn’t want to experience a strong government m like they had under Great Britain. It was a reaction!

  1. What did the Land Ordinance of 1785 do? Where did it take place?

Is above Ohio Valley, East of Mississippi River. Got during Revaluation, Surveys land, and divided it up., then allows for Northwest Ordinance to take place.

  1. What is a “precedent”? What precedent did the Northwest Ordinance establish?

Precedent- Do what has happened before. The Northwest Ordinance established a process to admit a state into the Union.

  1. What event contributed to the end of the Articles of Confederation as our government?

Shay’s Rebellion

Constitutional Convention & Compromises

  1. What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

The purpose was to write the US Constitution and create a stronger form of government.

  1. How would the national government under the Constitution be different from the government under the Articles?

National Government was strong and had more powers.

  1. What did New Jersey and Virginia disagree over? What compromise was reached? What was it called?

Representation! Virginia=population, New Jersey=equal representation, “The Great Compromise”

Bicameral- House of Reps- Based on Population, Senate- Equal Representation

  1. What was the disagreement that led to the Three-Fifths Compromise? What was the compromise?

North wanted slaves to be counted for taxation and the south wanted slaves counted for representation. The compromise was 3/5 would count for taxation and representation.

  1. What was the disagreement and compromise regarding the international slave trade?

North did not want slaves to be imported from Africa. South wanted them imported. Trade would only then continue for 20 years until 1808.

Preamble & Article I of the Constitution

  1. What is popular sovereignty? Where is it found in the Constitution?

“We the people” In the Preamble. The people create the government

  1. How does Article I allow the Constitution to adapt to new situations?

Necessary and Proper Clause=Implied Powers, Stretches the power of congress to cover new situations. Example: Early Times= Army Navy, with creation of Airplanes, Government created the Air Force

  1. What weakness of the Articles of Confederation was corrected in Article I of the Constitution?

Gives Congress power to tax, raise an army, control interstate commerce. Congress can establish federal courts.

  1. What power does the House of Representatives have over the President?

Impeach the president.

  1. What power does the Senate have over the President?

If the president is impeached, Senate can convict the president. Senate approves presidential nominations.

  1. What are delegated (or enumerated) powers? Identify the 5 most important delegated powers?

Specific powers given to congress:

Tax, regulate commerce, declare war, and raise an army/navy, issues patents/copyrights.

  1. What change occurs as a result of the census every 10 years?

It. changes the numbers of representatives in the House from state to state. Total number does not change.

  1. What is the “necessary and proper” clause also know as? What is the purpose of this clause?
  2. Necessary and Proper Clause=Implied Powers, Stretches the power of congress to cover new situations. Example: Early Times= Army Navy, with creation of Airplanes, Government created the Air Force

Article II of the Constitution

  1. How are the qualifications for president different from any other office?

Natural Born Citizen

  1. What is the cabinet?

Group of advisors to the president who help run the executive branch

  1. What determines the winner of a presidential election?

Electoral College

  1. What powers does the President have?

Power to: Commander in Chief of the military, Conducts Foreign Policy, Veto Bills, Sign Treaties, Appoint people to positions in government, suggest laws to congress.

  1. What roles does the President have?

Chief of state, chief executive, chief diplomat, commander in chief, chief legislator, chief of party, chief guardian of the economy.

  1. What are primary elections?

Elections to determine party representative for president

  1. What does the term ‘inauguration’ mean?

Swearing in the new president.

  1. What are some criticisms of the Electoral College?

You can win the popular vote, but lose the electoral college. Small states get too much representation.