79 Questions
Which Supreme Court case established that school-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional?
Engel v. Vitale
What is the core principle established by the Magna Carta?
Rule of law
What is the minimum required number of representatives in the U.S. House of Representatives for each state?
One
What is the primary goal of civil rights movements?
To secure equal rights and opportunities
According to the social contract theory, what do people give up in exchange for governmental protection?
Some individual liberty
Which of the following is an example of representation in the U.S. government?
Congress passes a new law
Who do U.S. Senators represent in the federal government?
The residents of a single state
Which document provided a rationale for the American colonies to declare independence from Great Britain?
Common Sense
Which two natural rights are explicitly mentioned in the Declaration of Independence?
Life and liberty
How many Senators represent each state in the U.S. Senate?
Two
Which phrase from a letter written by President Thomas Jefferson in 1802 reflects a freedom in the Bill of Rights?
I desire you would Remember the Ladies, and be more generous and favourable to them
Which of the following pairs of cases focused on the rights of public school students?
Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
The President
What is due process?
Fair treatment in judicial proceedings
Which of the following represents the principle of consent of the governed?
Individuals elect members of the House of Representatives
What is an example of a power reserved to the states?
Creating school systems
Which statement from the English Bill of Rights is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's Eighth Amendment?
That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted
According to the authors of the Declaration of Independence, who is responsible for protecting natural rights?
The government
Which phrase from the English Bill of Rights (1689) is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's Third Amendment?
That the raising or keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace, unless it be with the consent of Parliament, is against law
Which action is an example of petitioning the government?
Lobbying officials
What is the name given to the first two paragraphs of the Declaration of Independence?
The Preamble
Which part of the U.S. government was created to reflect the idea that governments derive their powers from the consent of the governed?
The legislature
Which Supreme Court case focused on how states count popular votes for president and vice president?
Bush v. Gore (2000)
What are the two required steps for someone to become Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?
Nomination by the President, confirmation by the Senate
Which structure found in the U.S. Constitution was included as a response to a concern expressed in the Declaration of Independence?
Separation of powers
Which Supreme Court decision was based on the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment?
Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)
Who has the power to veto bills passed by Congress?
The President
How many amendments does the current U.S. Constitution have?
27
Who signs bills passed by Congress into federal law?
The President of the United States
Which scenario represents a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment?
A state law establishes a higher minimum wage for men than for women
What was the core issue in the Supreme Court case Engel v. Vitale (1962)?
Prayer in public schools
Which foundational document established the principle that a monarch's power is not absolute?
The Magna Carta
What is the term used to describe the idea that people surrender some freedoms to a government in exchange for protection?
Social contract
According to the Declaration of Independence, from whom do governments derive their just powers?
The consent of the governed
What is the term for the system in which power is divided between federal and state governments?
Federalism
What philosophical work by Thomas Paine advocated for American independence from Britain?
Common Sense
Which constitutional amendment granted women the right to vote?
The 19th Amendment
What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances in the U.S. government?
To prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful
Which of the following is an example of the principle of popular sovereignty in practice?
The process of amending the U.S. Constitution
What is the term for the process by which citizens attempt to influence government policy?
Lobbying
Which core theme of the Anti-Federalist Papers emphasized the need for government to support enumerated individual rights?
Government should support enumerated individual rights
If both the U.S. President and the U.S. Vice President are unable to serve, who acts as president?
The Speaker of the House
Which right from the English Bill of Rights is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment?
The right to petition the government
Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the military?
The President
What is one power of the U.S. Senate?
To ratify international treaties
What is popular sovereignty?
The rule by the people
What did the Declaration of Independence do?
Declared independence from Great Britain
What is the "rule of law"?
The concept that no one, including the government, is above the law
Which of the following pairs of cases impacted First Amendment rights?
Texas v. Johnson (1989) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
How did the U.S. Constitution resolve the dispute between slave and free states over representation?
The Three-Fifths Compromise
Why does the U.S. Constitution require that tax bills originate in the House of Representatives?
To prevent taxation without representation
Which branch of government has the power to collect taxes?
Both legislative and executive branches
Which part of the U.S. Constitution protects religious freedom?
The First Amendment
How is the President of the United States elected?
By the Electoral College
Which Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison (1803)
Which pair of Supreme Court cases limited the power of local governments?
Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and District of Columbia v. Heller (2008)
What document established a 'civil body politic' among the Pilgrims in 1620?
The Mayflower Compact
Which government officials are directly elected by the people?
Mayors
Which phrase in the U.S. Constitution addresses the government's power to seize private property?
Eminent domain
What is the purpose of the Seventeenth Amendment?
To promote democratic participation
Why does the U.S. Constitution require that the President be elected by the Electoral College?
To balance power between small and large states
Which document established the principle of 'judicial review' in the United States?
The Marbury v. Madison decision
What is the purpose of eminent domain as addressed in the United States Constitution?
To provide fair compensation for public property taking
In what historical document do writers form a 'civil body politic'?
The Mayflower Compact
Which part of the U.S. Constitution protects the power of local governments?
The Tenth Amendment
What is a core theme of the Bill of Rights in the U.S. Constitution?
Protecting individual liberties
Which United States Supreme Court case had a significant impact on limiting local governments' power?
Brown v. Board of Education (1954)
What is the main goal of the Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S.Constitution?
Promoting direct election of Senators by citizens
Which part of the U.S.Constitution addresses the power to collect taxes for the federal government?
The Sixteenth Amendment
Who has the authority to elect mayors in local government systems?
City Councils
What is a core theme of the Anti-Federalist Papers?
Government should support enumerated individual rights
Which right from the English Bill of Rights is reflected in the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment?
The right to petition the government
Who is the Commander in Chief of the U.S. military?
The President
What is one power of the U.S. Senate?
To ratify international treaties
Which of the following pairs of cases impacted First Amendment rights?
Texas v. Johnson (1989) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988)
How did the U.S. Constitution resolve the dispute between slave and free states over representation?
It established the Three-Fifths Compromise
Which right did the colonists consider "inalienable" in the Declaration of Independence?
The right to the pursuit of happiness
Why did many colonists fight the British during the American Revolution?
They opposed the British policy of taxation without representation
What is an example of judicial review?
The power of the Supreme Court to find laws unconstitutional
Study Notes
Government Structure
- The President of the United States is the Commander in Chief of the military.
- The President is elected by the Electoral College.
- The Speaker of the House acts as President if both the President and Vice President are unable to serve.
- The U.S. Constitution sets up a federal government with three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
Constitutional Rights
- The Bill of Rights protects the freedom of religion.
- The First Amendment reflects the right "to petition the king" from the English Bill of Rights.
- The Eighth Amendment reflects the statement "That excessive bail ought not to be required...nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted" from the English Bill of Rights.
- The Third Amendment reflects the phrase "That...keeping a standing army within the kingdom in time of peace...is against law" from the English Bill of Rights.
Representation
- The U.S. House of Representatives has at least one member from each state.
- U.S. Senators represent the residents of a single state, with two Senators per state.
- The U.S. Congress passes laws, which is an example of representation.
Civil Rights and Liberties
- The social contract is the idea that people give up some liberty to receive governmental protection.
- The Declaration of Independence identified life and liberty as two natural rights.
- Civil rights movements aim to secure equalities.
- Due process is fair treatment in judicial proceedings.
Supreme Court Cases
- Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the power of judicial review.
- U.S. v. Nixon (1974) focused on executive privilege.
- Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857) limited the rights of African Americans.
- Brown v. Board of Education (1954) impacted the interpretation of the Fourteenth Amendment.
- Texas v. Johnson (1989) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) impacted First Amendment rights.
- Engel v. Vitale (1962) impacted the way religious practice was approached in public schools.
- Tinker v. Des Moines (1969) and Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1988) focused on the rights of public school students.
- Bush v. Gore (2000) focused on how states count popular votes for president and vice president.
Historical Documents
- The Articles of Confederation were a core document of the United States.
- The Declaration of Independence declared independence from Great Britain.
- The Magna Carta established the principle of rule of law.
- Common Sense provided a rationale for the Declaration of Independence.
- The Mayflower Compact formed a "civil body politic" in 1620.
Federal System
- The federal system has shared powers, including collecting taxes.
- The U.S. Senate has the power to ratify international treaties.
- The Seventeenth Amendment promotes democratic participation.
- The Electoral College elects the President.
Test your knowledge on key aspects of the United States government and politics, including Supreme Court holdings, historical documents, and the functions of different branches of government.
Make Your Own Quizzes and Flashcards
Convert your notes into interactive study material.
Get started for free
