Question 1

How many times has the Constitution been amended?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was ratified in 1788.

Question 2

The Supreme Court's decision in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803) was important because it

Accepted Answer

The decision in Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review, which gave the Supreme Court the power to strike down laws and actions of the government that were determined to be unconstitutional. This decision significantly increased the power and role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Constitution and checking the actions of the other branches of government.

Question 3

Which of the following is the typical route for a constitutional amendment?

Accepted Answer

The typical route for a constitutional amendment is proposal by two-thirds of both houses of Congress, and ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures. This process is outlined in Article V of the Constitution. Option B, C, D, and E are not the typical route for a constitutional amendment.

Question 4

What is guaranteed by the Second Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The Second Amendment guarantees the right of American citizens to keep and bear arms. This includes the right to own and possess firearms for self-defense, hunting, and other lawful purposes.

Question 5

Which of the following constitutional amendments was nullified by another?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which of the following constitutional amendments was...

Question 6

The most remarkable feature of the Constitution is

Accepted Answer

The Constitution's ability to adapt to the changing times is its most remarkable feature. This is evident in the various amendments that have been added to the Constitution, such as those granting voting rights to women and abolishing slavery. The Constitution's flexibility and capacity to change with the times ensure that it remains a relevant document in modern times.

Question 7

What feature of our government today cannot be found in the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

Judicial review, the power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional, is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution. It was established by the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison in 1803.

Question 8

The ______Amendment is the only amendment that was ratified in special state convention.

Accepted Answer

The Twenty-first Amendment, which repealed Prohibition, is the only amendment to the Constitution that was ratified by state conventions rather than by state legislatures.

Question 9

It is clear that the framers of the American Constitution were more influenced by Roman republicanism than Athenian democracy.

Accepted Answer

The framers of the American Constitution were more influenced by Roman republicanism than Athenian democracy. They admired the Roman Republic's emphasis on civic virtue and the rule of law, as well as the checks and balances system of government. In contrast, Athenian democracy was viewed as too chaotic and prone to mob rule.

Question 10

Most of the New England colonies based their first governments on the idea of personal individualism.

Accepted Answer

Most New England colonies were established on the idea of community and shared responsibility, rather than personal individualism. For example, the Puritans believed in a strong sense of community and created a system of town meetings where citizens could have a say in local governance.

Question 11

Social contract theory provides the philosophical foundation for the obligations individuals and states have toward each other. If the state violates the contract, the citizen is still morally obligated to obey its laws.

Accepted Answer

Social contract theory posits that individuals consent, either explicitly or tacitly, to surrender some of their freedoms and submit to the authority of the state, in exchange for protection of their remaining rights. If the state fails to fulfill its part of the contract, such as by violating the rights it is supposed to protect, the theory suggests that citizens are no longer bound by the contract to obey the state's laws, as the state has breached its obligations.

Question 12

In the book Second Treatise of Government, Locke argues for a government based upon popular sovereignty, with limited powers.

Accepted Answer

Locke's Second Treatise of Government argues that governments should be based upon popular sovereignty and that their powers should be limited to protect the natural rights of individuals.

Question 13

The theories of John Locke stressed the concept of limited government.

Accepted Answer

John Locke believed in the concept of limited government, stating that the government should only have power within clearly defined boundaries and that individuals have natural rights that the government must protect.

Question 14

A confederation is a league of sovereign states.

Accepted Answer

A confederation is a league or alliance of sovereign states in which each member retains its sovereignty and independence. It is different from a federation which implies a centralized government with a division of powers between the center and its constituents.

Question 15

The Albany Plan was constructed by Benjamin Franklin.

Accepted Answer

The Albany Plan was indeed constructed by Benjamin Franklin in 1754 as a proposal for a unified government for the Thirteen Colonies.

Question 16

The Declaration of Independence was drafted at the First Continental Congress by John Jay and Patrick Henry.

Accepted Answer

The Declaration of Independence was actually drafted by Thomas Jefferson at the Second Continental Congress. John Jay and Patrick Henry were not involved in drafting the document.

Question 17

In Common Sense, Thomas Paine argues for a complete separation from England.

Accepted Answer

This is the central argument of Paine's pamphlet. He calls for the colonies to declare independence and establish their own government.

Question 18

On July 12, 1777, after six drafts, the Articles of Confederation were presented to the Continental Congress.

Accepted Answer

This statement is true.

Question 19

Under the Articles, the states had very little authority.

Accepted Answer

Under the Articles of Confederation, the states retained most of their sovereignty, freedom, and independence, while the central government had very limited powers.

Question 20

Daniel Shays was a farmer in western Pennsylvania.

Accepted Answer

Daniel Shays was a farmer in western Massachusetts, not Pennsylvania.

Quiz 2: The Founding and the Constitution