Question 1

While Thomas Jefferson attempted to address the slave trade in his first draft of the Declaration of Independence, the irony is that he was a major slave owner himself.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true. Thomas Jefferson owned over 600 slaves during his lifetime, and although he advocated for the abolition of slavery, he did not free his own slaves until his death.

Question 2

As Ms. Mergens' case proceeded, there was a high degree of certainty that the court would affirm her assertions against her school.

Accepted Answer

The answer of As Ms. Mergens' case proceeded, there was...

Question 3

A government that allows private firms to operate but with significant intervention by the government, which may include controlling ownership of sectors of the economy, is best described as having a ______ system of economy.

Accepted Answer

In a socialist economy, there is a mix of public ownership and control of certain key sectors of the economy as well as private ownership and operation of firms. The government plays a significant role in regulating and controlling the private sector to ensure fair competition and the protection of consumers. This is in contrast to a laissez-faire economy, where there is little to no government intervention in the operation of private firms, and a capitalist economy, where private ownership and operation of firms are largely unrestricted. A communist economy is characterized by complete government ownership and control of all means of production.

Question 4

The systems and organizations through which a society produces and distributes goods and services can best be described as a/n ______.

Accepted Answer

The word 'economy' refers to the system of production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services in a society. It includes the organizations, institutions, and mechanisms involved in the allocation of resources, such as land, labor, and capital. The other options given in the question, such as government, marketplace, and bureaucracy, play a role in shaping the economy, but they are not the best descriptors for the entire system.

Question 5

At times, slaves in Virginia and other slaveholding colonies organized in order to rise up against their owners.

Accepted Answer

There were several slave revolts in Virginia, including the most famous one led by Nat Turner in 1831. Other slaveholding colonies also experienced slave uprisings, such as the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina in 1739.

Question 6

A system in which economic activity is structured to allow private firms to make most or all of the decisions involving production and distribution of goods and services is best described as ______.

Accepted Answer

A system in which private firms make most of the decisions involving production and distribution of goods and services is described as a capitalist system. In a capitalist system, prices are determined by supply and demand, and there is generally little government intervention in economic activities. This is in contrast to socialist and communist systems, in which the government plays a larger role in economic decision-making, and laissez faire systems, which advocate for minimal government intervention in the economy.

Question 7

British officials and soldiers criticized American patriots for their continuing the practice of slavery.

Accepted Answer

British officials and soldiers did criticize American patriots, such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, for their ownership of slaves and their lack of action towards ending slavery.

Question 8

A system of government in which citizens select elected officials who then vote on matters of public policy for them could best be described as ______ democracy.

Accepted Answer

In a representative democracy, citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf, so this best describes the system of government in which citizens select elected officials who then vote on matters of public policy for them. Direct democracy is a system in which citizens directly vote on laws and policies. Indirect and limited democracy are not commonly used terms to describe types of government systems.

Question 9

Thomas Paine's pamphlet was unanimously accepted by other American pamphleteers.

Accepted Answer

Thomas Paine's pamphlet, "Common Sense," was highly influential in promoting the idea of American independence from Britain, but not all American pamphleteers or figures agreed with his views. There was a diversity of opinion among colonists about the best course of action regarding independence and governance.

Question 10

Communist and socialist systems can best be differentiated based on who controls the ______.

Accepted Answer

In a communist system, the means of production and distribution are owned and controlled by the state or the community as a whole, whereas in a socialist system, the means of production and distribution may be owned and controlled by both the state and private individuals or entities. Therefore, the control of the means of production and distribution is the most significant factor in differentiating communist and socialist systems.

Question 11

A completely unregulated capitalist system that allows individuals and private firms the ability to operate without regulation or oversight is referred to as what?

Accepted Answer

A laissez-faire system is a completely unregulated capitalist system that allows individuals and private firms the ability to operate without regulation or oversight. The other options (B, C, and D) all involve varying degrees of government control or ownership of the means of production.

Question 12

The United States of America is, institutionally and fundamentally, a ______.

Accepted Answer

The United States is a constitutional republic, meaning it has a system of government in which power is held by the people and their elected representatives, but is limited by a constitution that outlines the rights and protections of citizens and the limits of governmental power. While the people do have a voice in government through elections and other democratic institutions, their power is constrained by the law and the constitution.

Question 13

The American political culture is based upon the principles of equal social and economic outcomes.

Accepted Answer

The American political culture is based upon the principles of individualism, liberty, and democracy, not equal social and economic outcomes. The idea of equal opportunity is emphasized, but not necessarily equal outcomes.

Question 14

Thomas Paine was the founder of the Sons of Liberty.

Accepted Answer

Thomas Paine was a political activist and writer, but he was not the founder of the Sons of Liberty. The organization was formed in 1765 and its founders included Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Paul Revere, and James Otis Jr.

Question 15

According to the text, the most important institution in American political life is ______.

Accepted Answer

The text explicitly states that the U.S. Constitution is the most important institution in American political life, making choice C the correct answer. While the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation laid important groundwork for American government, they have been superseded by the Constitution. The U.S. Bill of Rights is an important part of the Constitution, but not the only or most important part.

Question 16

Today, some observers of American politics question the accessibility of the American Dream.

Accepted Answer

Many studies have shown that social mobility has decreased in the United States, and that the gap between the wealthy and poor is widening. This has led some to question whether the American Dream, the idea that anyone in America can achieve success and upward mobility through hard work and determination, is still a reality for many people.

Question 17

Religious liberty is presented as a fundamental right in the Declaration of Independence.

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence primarily focuses on the colonies' right to self-governance and does not specifically enumerate individual rights such as religious liberty. The concept of religious liberty is more directly addressed in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 18

A government that acts on behalf of all workers in a society by controlling all of the means of production and distribution is best described as having a ______.

Accepted Answer

A communist system is one where the government controls all means of production and distribution, and acts on behalf of all workers in society. This is different from a socialist system, where some means of production may be private, but the government still plays a significant role in regulating the economy. A laissez-faire system is one where the government plays a minimal role and allows individuals and private entities to control the means of production and distribution. A capitalist system is one where the means of production and distribution are largely controlled by private entities and individuals, and the government's role is primarily to regulate the economy and protect property rights.

Question 19

European settlement and exploration were accepted by indigenous peoples without opposition.

Accepted Answer

Indigenous peoples often resisted European settlement and exploration, often leading to violent conflicts and forced displacement.

Question 20

"Laissez faire" is a system that ______.

Accepted Answer

"Laissez faire" is a French term that translates to "leave alone" or "let do." It is a system that advocates for limited government intervention in economic affairs, and as such, there is no regulation or control of private enterprise under a laissez faire system. Therefore, the correct choice is D.

Quiz 1: Introduction: American Political Stories: Claiming Rights, Demanding to Be Heard