Question 1

Governance according to the expressed preferences of the majority is known as

Accepted Answer

Majority rule is a democratic principle that involves the decision-making authority given to the group or party that receives the most votes or support from the majority of people. This means that the policies and decisions made by the government are reflective of the majority's preferences and values, which is considered an essential democratic ideal.

Question 2

As the Revolutionary War widened to include all thirteen colonies, the 1777 Congress established a new national government under the __________ .

Accepted Answer

The Articles of Confederation established a national government for the first time in the United States in 1777, as the Revolutionary War spread to all thirteen colonies. It was the first attempt at a national government, but it was ultimately deemed ineffective and replaced by the current United States Constitution in 1789.

Question 3

The American Revolution began during the

Accepted Answer

The American Revolution began in the 1770s with the Boston Massacre in 1770, the Boston Tea Party in 1773, and the Battles of Lexington and Concord in 1775, leading to the issuance of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.

Question 4

The first form of government that was planned for the newly independent United States was a

Accepted Answer

The first form of government for the newly independent United States was the Articles of Confederation, which established a confederation system of government where most power was held by the individual states rather than a central federal government.

Question 5

The Puritans of Massachusetts

Accepted Answer

The Puritans of Massachusetts established a theocracy, meaning that their government was based on religious principles and the church leaders had significant control over political decision-making.

Question 6

The set of arrangements (including checks and balances, federalism, separation of powers, rule of law, due process, and a bill of rights) that require leaders to listen, think, bargain, and explain prior to making laws is called

Accepted Answer

The set of arrangements described is a clear reference to the principles of constitutionalism, which requires leaders to adhere to the limits and principles outlined in a constitution. This includes the various checks and balances, separation of powers, and emphasis on due process and individual rights in a bill of rights. Personal liberty, natural law, and the divine right of the people are related concepts but do not capture the full range of principles described in the question. A priori rationalization is not directly related to the question.

Question 7

A distinctive element of the U.S.constitutional system under the original Constitution includes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Bicameralism, or the division of Congress into two separate chambers (the Senate and the House of Representatives), is a distinctive feature of the U.S. constitutional system under the original Constitution. It was designed as a way to balance the interests of large and small states and to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. States' rights, judicial supremacy, executive hegemony, and popular elections for all national officials are important components of the U.S. constitutional system, but they were not as unique or novel at the time the Constitution was drafted.

Question 8

The United States operates under a system of

Accepted Answer

The United States government is based on a constitution that outlines a system of checks and balances between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the government. This system ensures that one branch does not hold all the power and that the government operates in a democratic and fair manner. Citizens elect representatives and participate in the political process through voting and other means of civic engagement, which is a key aspect of a constitutional democracy. Therefore, option A is the best choice.

Question 9

Charles Beard argued that the primary motive of the framers of the Constitution was

Accepted Answer

Charles Beard's argument was that the framers of the Constitution were primarily motivated by protecting their own economic self-interests. He contended that the Constitution was written to benefit the financial elite of the time, such as wealthy landowners and merchants, rather than to serve the interests of all citizens.

Question 10

The principle that everyone has the opportunity to realize his or her own goals is called

Accepted Answer

The principle that everyone has the opportunity to realize his or her own goals is commonly known as self-determination, which emphasizes individual agency and control over one's life choices. Autonomy also emphasizes individual freedom and self-governance, but it may not always imply equal access to opportunities or resources. Hegemony refers to the dominance of one group over others, and negative freedom emphasizes freedom from external constraints rather than active pursuit of one's goals. Balance of powers refers to the distribution of authority in a system of government.

Question 11

Shays' Rebellion

Accepted Answer

Shays' Rebellion was an uprising by indebted farmers in western Massachusetts who were protesting mortgage foreclosures and high taxes. It demonstrated the weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger federal government. The rebellion was eventually suppressed by state militia, not the U.S. Marines.

Question 12

The Constitutional Convention was held in

Accepted Answer

The Constitutional Convention was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from May 25 to September 17 in 1787.

Question 13

An election in which a candidate can win by getting the most votes, even if it is less than 50% of the votes, is called a

Accepted Answer

A plurality election is one in which the winner is determined by the candidate who receives more votes than any other candidate, but not necessarily a majority (over 50%) of the votes.

Question 14

The Annapolis Convention

Accepted Answer

The Annapolis Convention was held in 1786 and its main outcome was issuing the call for another convention to consider amendments to the Articles of Confederation, which eventually led to the drafting of the Constitution. It was not attended by delegates from all the states and was not led by Andrew Jackson.

Question 15

In the summer of 1787, fifty-five delegates gathered in Philadelphia to accomplish which of the following tasks?

Accepted Answer

The summer of 1787 marked the convening of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, during which the delegates aimed to amend the existing Articles of Confederation to establish a more effective system of government for the United States.

Question 16

Problems with the Articles of Confederation included

Accepted Answer

All of the above options are problems with the Articles of Confederation. The lack of a national judiciary made it difficult to settle disputes between the states, the lack of an executive branch meant there was no one person to lead or make decisions for the country, the inability to levy taxes made it difficult to fund the military, and the inability to regulate trade between states led to economic issues.

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a political process that is part of democracy?

Accepted Answer

While annual public elections of political leaders are a common aspect of democracy, it is not a necessary political process to have in order to be considered a democracy. Some democracies have different election cycles, such as bi-annual or every few years.

Question 18

The idea that a just government must derive its powers from the people it governs is called

Accepted Answer

The idea that a just government must derive its powers from the people it governs is known as popular consent. This means that the government exists to serve the people, not the other way around. Citizens have the right to participate in the government, express their views through voting and other means, and hold their elected officials accountable for their actions. Therefore, popular consent is key to a just and democratic society.

Question 19

The three broad categories for dividing the meanings of democracy are

Accepted Answer

The three broad categories for dividing the meanings of democracy include a system of interacting values (reflecting the ethical foundations and principles of democracy), a system of interrelated political processes (encompassing the mechanisms through which democracy operates, such as elections and legislative procedures), and a system of interdependent political structures (the institutional framework that supports democratic governance, such as the separation of powers and rule of law).

Question 20

Statism is the idea that the rights of the nation are supreme over the rights of the

Accepted Answer

Statism focuses on the power and authority of the state, placing the needs and interests of the nation over those of the individual. This often involves restricting individual liberties and freedoms in order to promote national unity and strength. Therefore, the correct answer is the individual (choice C) as their rights and freedoms are subordinated to the needs of the state.

Quiz 1: Constitutional Democracy