Question 1

From the British perspective, the imposition of taxes upon the colonists after the French and Indian War were a fair way to get the colonists to pay for the cost of their own defense.

Accepted Answer

The British government believed that since the taxes were levied to help pay off the debt incurred from the French and Indian War, which was fought to protect the American colonies, it was fair to expect the colonists to contribute to the costs of their own defense and the maintenance of the British troops stationed in North America.

Question 2

The British colonists in the Americas were the highest taxed peoples in the New World.

Accepted Answer

The British colonists in the Americas were actually among the least taxed people compared to those in Britain and other parts of the world during the same period.

Question 3

The shortage of specie, or hard money, was a contributing factor in Shays's Rebellion.

Accepted Answer

The shortage of specie, or hard money, contributed to the economic hardships faced by farmers and veterans in the post-Revolutionary War period, leading to increased debts and taxes, which were among the key grievances that fueled Shays's Rebellion.

Question 4

The Virginia Plan proposed a council of revision, which would have some control over national legislation and an absolute veto over state legislation.

Accepted Answer

The Virginia Plan did propose a council of revision, which would have the power to review national legislation and an absolute veto over state legislation, reflecting concerns about maintaining a balance between national authority and state sovereignty.

Question 5

The right of states to maintain the slave system was specifically protected by the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution.

Accepted Answer

The Eighth Amendment to the Constitution deals with cruel and unusual punishment, not the right of states to maintain the slave system.

Question 6

In the debate over ratification, the Federalists opposed the new Constitution.

Accepted Answer

The Federalists supported the ratification of the new Constitution, advocating for a stronger national government, while the Anti-Federalists opposed it, fearing it would lead to tyranny.

Question 7

Because the Constitution is purposely vague, legal scholars and Supreme Court justices sometimes cite the Federalist Papers in their proceedings.

Accepted Answer

The Federalist Papers provide insight into the intentions of the framers of the Constitution, helping to interpret its meaning.

Question 8

The Twenty-Seventh Amendment limits presidents to two terms in office.

Accepted Answer

The Twenty-Second Amendment, not the Twenty-Seventh, limits presidents to two terms in office.

Question 9

_____ law refers to a body of law that applies to violations of rules and regulations defined by the government.

Accepted Answer

Criminal law refers to a body of law that deals with actions that are offenses against the state or public, as defined by governmental statutes and regulations.

Question 10

_____ law refers to the body of laws that apply to private rights, such as the ownership of property or the enforcement of contracts.

Accepted Answer

Civil law refers to the body of laws that apply to private rights, such as the ownership of property or the enforcement of contracts.

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT an example of the exercise of power?

Accepted Answer

All the options provided are examples of the exercise of power, as they involve influencing or controlling the actions and decisions of others.

Question 12

A system of government in which members of the general public select agents to represent them in political decision making is known as a(n)

Accepted Answer

A republic is a system of government where the public elects representatives to make political decisions on their behalf.

Question 13

A system of government in which leaders face few formal legal restrictions but are checked by noninstitutional forces such as political parties, religious groups, or business leaders is referred to as

Accepted Answer

An authoritarian regime is characterized by limited political pluralism, with leaders facing few formal legal restrictions but subject to potential checks from noninstitutional forces like political parties, religious groups, or business leaders. These regimes maintain control through a combination of coercion and limited political freedoms, distinguishing them from more open democratic systems or more repressive totalitarian systems.

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of pure democracy?

Accepted Answer

Pure democracy, or direct democracy, involves citizens directly participating in decision-making processes rather than through elected representatives. Participating in a town hall meeting is an example of this, as it allows citizens to directly engage in discussions and decision-making on local issues.

Question 15

The French and Indian War was fought by which two foreign powers against each other in North America?

Accepted Answer

The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was primarily fought between France and Great Britain, with various Native American tribes aligning with either side, leading to its name in the American context.

Question 16

Which of the following colonial figures played a central role in leading the Sons of Liberty?

Accepted Answer

Samuel Adams was a key leader in the Sons of Liberty, a group that was instrumental in organizing resistance against British policies in the colonies, including the Stamp Act and the Boston Tea Party.

Question 17

The generation before the Great Squeeze, a time of "salutary neglect," was a time when

Accepted Answer

During the period referred to as "salutary neglect," the British Parliament adopted a policy of loose enforcement of trade laws in the American colonies, allowing them a degree of economic autonomy and fostering growth.

Question 18

Why did Parliament impose few taxes on the colonies prior to the Great Squeeze?

Accepted Answer

Parliament hoped that low taxes would stimulate economic growth in the colonies.

Question 19

The series of moves by the British Parliament that attempted to channel money back to the commercial class in Great Britain were known as the

Accepted Answer

The Acts for Trade were a series of laws passed by the British Parliament in the 17th and 18th centuries that attempted to channel money back to the commercial class in Great Britain. These laws restricted the colonies' ability to trade with other countries and forced them to buy British goods.

Question 20

The Intolerable Acts were strongly opposed by the colonists because they

Accepted Answer

The Intolerable Acts were opposed because the colonists felt their interests were not represented in the British Parliament, leading to the rallying cry of "no taxation without representation."

Quiz 2: Early Governance and the Constitutional Framework