American Political Culture Quiz

The belief that the power of the government comes directly from the people.

A system of government where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people.

The idea that people have fundamental rights that cannot be taken away by the government.

The agreement between the people and the government, where people give up some individual freedoms in exchange for order and protection.

The right of individuals to live their lives free from undue government interference.

The ability to pursue one's goals, dreams, and ambitions without unreasonable constraints.

A theory of democracy that emphasizes the importance of widespread participation by citizens in the political process.

A theory of democracy that highlights the role of various groups in influencing policymaking.

A theory of democracy that suggests a small, powerful elite group controls the policymaking process.

The various institutions, systems, and structures that make up a government.

A document outlining the fundamental principles of a government and establishing its key institutions.

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

A political system with elected representatives, where the Constitution is the supreme law.

The first attempt at creating a government for the newly independent United States.

A system of government where power is divided between a national government and state governments.

A system where the national government has limited power, and states have more power.

A rebellion by farmers in Massachusetts protesting high taxes and debt.

A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 to address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

A legal principle that protects individuals from illegal detention without proper charges.

A law that makes an act criminal after it was committed, which is illegal.

A plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention that favored larger states by giving them more representation in both houses of a bicameral legislature. The lower house would be elected directly by citizens, while the upper house would be nominated and confirmed. This plan aimed to ensure the influence of states with larger populations in the national government.

A plan proposed at the Constitutional Convention that favored smaller states by advocating for a unicameral legislature where each state received one vote. This plan aimed to maintain equal representation for all states, regardless of their population, to ensure that smaller states wouldn't be overshadowed by larger ones.

A compromise reached at the Constitutional Convention to address the debate over representation in Congress. It established a bicameral legislature with two houses. The House of Representatives, based on population, gave more representation to larger states, while the Senate, with two senators per state, ensured equal representation for all states.

A compromise agreed upon at the Constitutional Convention regarding the counting of enslaved people for state representation. It decided that enslaved people would be counted as three-fifths of a person for the purpose of determining a state's population and therefore its number of representatives in the House of Representatives.

An agreement made at the Constitutional Convention regarding the slave trade. It stipulated that the federal government wouldn't restrict the importation of enslaved people for a period of 20 years, until 1808. This compromise was crucial in gaining Southern support for the Constitution, but it also marked a dark chapter in American history.

A fundamental principle of the U.S. Constitution that divides government power among three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial. This separation aims to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure a system of checks and balances.

A system of checks and balances built into the U.S. Constitution that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches. This system prevents any one branch from becoming too dominant and ensures a balance of power within the government.

The branch of government responsible for making laws. Under the Constitution, Congress has more power than the unicameral legislature under the Articles of Confederation. Congress has enumerated or expressed powers, such as borrowing money, taxing, and regulating interstate commerce. It also has implied powers derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause, which allows it to carry out its expressed powers.

The branch of government responsible for carrying out the laws made by Congress. The executive branch is led by a single president who is indirectly elected by the people through the Electoral College system.