Question 1

Which one of the following phrases is found in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The phrase "secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity" is found in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution. Option A is from the Declaration of Independence, option C is from the Pledge of Allegiance, and option D is from the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution.

Question 2

During the Middle Ages, the Catholic Church was the only institution operating throughout Europe. Consequently, its principles and priorities were ___.

Accepted Answer

The Catholic Church during the Middle Ages was primarily concerned with religious matters, such as the salvation of souls and the authority of the Pope. They played a significant role in shaping the political and social landscape of Europe, but their priorities were always informed by their religious beliefs. Therefore, the best choice is A) religious rather than secular.

Question 3

Which of the following phrases best describes "direct democracy" by those who doubted its viability?

Accepted Answer

The phrase "the worship of jackals by jackasses" suggests that those who doubted the viability of direct democracy believed it was foolish or misguided, as jackasses (donkeys) are typically viewed as stubborn and unintelligent. The phrase implies that the relationship between the two is one of foolish adoration, rather than one of practicality or real value.

Question 4

John Locke thought that the _______ushered in an era in which government would be based on deliberation and free choice.

Accepted Answer

John Locke was a philosopher during the 17th century and authored several works, including "Two Treatises of Government." In this work, Locke argued against the idea of divine right and absolutism, advocating instead for a government based on consent and the protection of natural rights. He believed that the Glorious Revolution, which saw the overthrow of James II and the establishment of William and Mary as monarchs, marked a turning point in the history of governance, as it demonstrated that people had the power to withhold their consent from rulers who abused their power. Thus, the Glorious Revolution ushered in an era of deliberation and free choice in government, according to Locke's perspective.

Question 5

With his "holy experiment," William Penn attempted to establish ___.

Accepted Answer

William Penn's "holy experiment" was an attempt to establish a society of peace among diverse religious sects. He envisioned Pennsylvania as a refuge for persecuted religious minorities, where everyone would be free to worship as they pleased. This was in contrast to the religious intolerance and conflict that plagued Europe at the time. Penn hoped that by creating a tolerant and harmonious society, he could demonstrate to the world that it was possible to live in peace and unity despite differences in religious belief.

Question 6

The Middle Ages began with the collapse of the _______and ended with the beginnings of the ___.

Accepted Answer

The answer of The Middle Ages began with the collapse...

Question 7

_______and _______ relied on natural law theory in their political writings.

Accepted Answer

Both Locke and Cicero relied on natural law theory in their political writings. Seneca was a Stoic philosopher who also wrote about ethics and political philosophy, but he did not specifically rely on natural law theory. Zeno was the founder of the Stoic school, but he did not write about political philosophy.

Question 8

_______and _______ advocated the superiority of mixed government to promote political stability.

Accepted Answer

The answer of _______and _______ advocated the superiority of mixed...

Question 9

John Locke thought that the Glorious Revolution ushered in an era of _______in which government would be based on ___.

Accepted Answer

The answer of John Locke thought that the Glorious Revolution...

Question 10

Change, usually evolutionary, sometimes revolutionary, is a constant in our politics.

Accepted Answer

Change, whether gradual or sudden, is a constant feature in politics. Political systems, leaders, and policies are continuously transforming and adapting to new challenges and circumstances. Such changes can be brought about through democratic processes, social movements, technological advancements, or other factors. Therefore, it is true that change is a constant in politics, and its impact can range from incremental improvements to transformative revolutions.

Question 11

A Republic combines principles from monarchy, aristocracy and democracy.

Accepted Answer

A republic is a form of government where the power is held by the citizens, who elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. The principles of monarchy can be seen in the ceremonial and symbolic aspects of government, while the principles of aristocracy can be seen in the idea of an elite group of individuals holding political power. The democratic principle is represented through the participation of citizens in choosing their representatives.

Question 12

Secularism refers to the division of religious groups according to differences in theological interpretations of the Bible.

Accepted Answer

Secularism refers to the separation of religion and state, and the idea that government should remain neutral towards all religions. It is not about dividing religious groups based on theological interpretations.

Question 13

The Puritans of early Massachusetts shared many ideas about politics with medieval Europeans.

Accepted Answer

The Puritans of early Massachusetts shared many ideas about politics with medieval Europeans, such as the belief in the importance of religion in government, the idea of a strong community and communal responsibility, and the enforcement of strict moral codes.

Question 14

Montesquieu argued that circumstance and a nation's people should be considered when decided what sort of government is most useful and effective for a society.

Accepted Answer

Montesquieu believed that the type of government that would be most useful and effective for a society depended on various factors, including its people, geographic location, climate, economy, and history. He argued that there was no such thing as a universal form of government that could be applied to all societies, and that a government's suitability was largely determined by the conditions of its environment and the nature of its people.

Question 15

Adam Smith and John Locke were British intellectuals that influenced American thought.

Accepted Answer

Adam Smith and John Locke were both influential British philosophers and political theorists who greatly influenced American thought, particularly in regards to political and economic systems.

Question 16

The principles of equality and tolerance were central to early American social thinking because these principles were central to the doctrines of most of the major religious traditions in North America at the time.

Accepted Answer

Early American social thinking was influenced by a variety of factors, including Enlightenment ideas and the practical challenges of creating a new society, rather than being primarily based on the doctrines of major religious traditions, which were diverse and not uniformly focused on equality and tolerance.

Question 17

The concept of individual rights is central to the ideas of individualism and classical liberalism?

Accepted Answer

Individual rights are a key aspect of both individualism and classical liberalism, which prioritize the freedom and autonomy of individuals over the power of the government or other collective institutions. These ideologies are based on the belief that individuals have inherent rights that should be protected and respected, such as the right to free speech, freedom of religion, and property rights.

Question 18

According to the Pro and Con section, democracy is always good.

Accepted Answer

The Pro and Con section presents both positive and negative aspects of democracy and acknowledges that it is not a perfect system. It recognizes that there are potential flaws and challenges associated with democracy, such as the possibility of majority tyranny or the vulnerability to demagogues. Therefore, it does not support the notion that democracy is always good without qualification.

Question 19

The principles of equality and tolerance were inherent among the religious traditions of most of the colonial settlers in America.

Accepted Answer

While some colonial settlers upheld principles of equality and tolerance, not all did and there were some religious traditions that endorsed hierarchical and intolerant views.

Question 20

According to the Let's Compare section, all settlements in North America during colonial times followed similar patterns.

Accepted Answer

The Let's Compare section specifically states that settlements in North America during colonial times varied in pattern depending on factors such as the geography of the region, the cultural background of the settlers, and the economic needs of the community.

Quiz 1: The Origins of American Political Principles