US Government Principles Quiz

The process of selecting leaders and creating laws.

System where policy makers are chosen to represent public preferences.

Channels for conveying citizens' concerns to government (e.g., elections, political parties, media, interest groups).

Government derives authority from the people.

Inability to reach agreements due to disagreements.

A state where there are no rules or government, and individuals have absolute freedom.

The document that declared the independence of the United States from Great Britain, based on principles of natural rights and self-governance.

The introduction to the United States Constitution, outlining its main purposes and goals, such as establishing justice and ensuring domestic tranquility.

The fundamental law of the US, outlining the structure and powers of the government, as well as individual rights and freedoms.

The Proclamation of 1763 by King George III prohibited colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains, keeping them east of the mountains.

Colonists were not permitted to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains according to the Proclamation of 1763.

The Proclamation of 1763 was issued after the French and Indian War to prevent further conflict with Native American tribes in the west.

The Proclamation of 1763 enforced a boundary between colonists and Native American lands, aiming to reduce conflict.

The period between 1607 and 1620 was before the British government's significant involvement in the American colonies.

A system where citizens directly participate in decision-making, like voting on laws.

A document limiting the power of the king of England, signed in 1215, important for establishing rule of law.

The first English settlement in America, established in 1607, known for its first representative body.

A document signed by Pilgrims in 1620, demonstrating early principles of self-governance in America.

The English Parliament, formed in 1688, which shares power with the monarch and has the authority to make laws and control the military.

Conflict between British colonists and Native Americans, where the French aided the Native Americans, ending in British victory and land expansion.

A series of laws passed by England in 1774 to punish colonists for the Boston Tea Party, leading to further tensions and resistance.

A gathering of colonial representatives held in 1774 and 1775 to address the Intolerable Acts, eventually leading to the Declaration of Independence.

A war fought between American colonists and Great Britain, led by the colonists' desire for independence and self-governance.

The first government established after the American Revolution, with a weak central government and more power vested in the states.

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and smaller, regional governments.

Supporters of the new U.S. Constitution who favored a strong central government.

Opponents of the new U.S. Constitution who believed in strong state governments and limited federal power.

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, guaranteeing fundamental rights and limiting government power.

A famous anti-Federalist essay arguing against the new Constitution and its potential for tyranny.

A collection of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay to defend the newly proposed Constitution and address concerns about the power of the federal government.

The clause in the Constitution that grants Congress the power to make laws deemed "necessary and proper" to carry out its enumerated powers.

A clause establishing the federal government's laws as the supreme law of the land, resolving conflicts between state and federal law.

A system where the people have the power to make decisions directly, often using methods like initiatives, referendums, or recalls. It emphasizes broad citizen participation and the power of the majority.

A system where different groups and interests compete to influence policy-making. Key players include political parties and interest groups, and it emphasizes protecting minority rights.

A system where a small group of people (often the wealthy and powerful) have a strong influence on decision-making processes. It emphasizes the role of elites and limited citizen participation.

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. It involves a focus on government efficiency and representative decision-making.

A process where citizens can propose a new law or constitutional amendment for a direct vote. It is a powerful tool for participatory democracy.

A process where the legislature proposes a law and the public votes on whether to approve it. It provides a check on legislative power.

A process where voters can remove an elected official from office before their term ends. It provides a way to hold elected officials accountable.

The U.S. system of electing the President, where each state has a number of electors based on its population. It is often criticized as a form of elite democracy.

A political system where power is divided between a national government and regional governments, with each having its own set of powers.

A system where power is concentrated in a single, central government.

The debate surrounding the balance of power between the federal government and state governments.

A document written by James Madison, arguing in favor of a large republic to prevent the tyranny of factions.

Worried about the potential for a strong federal government to become tyrannical and infringe on individual rights.

The principle of a small republic, where citizens share similar interests and values, promoting harmony and preventing tyranny.

A system where each state had its own sovereignty, meaning the right to rule itself without much control from the central government.

The only branch of government under the Articles of Confederation, it lacked the ability to effectively enforce laws or raise revenue, leading to significant weakness.

A major turning point for the Articles of Confederation, this uprising exposed the weaknesses of the national government by highlighting its inability to effectively respond to a large-scale rebellion.

The inability of the government under the Articles of Confederation to raise revenue through taxes, leading to financial struggles and ultimately contributing to its downfall.

The Articles of Confederation favored smaller states by giving each state one vote in the unicameral Congress, without a president or court system. This meant that smaller states had the same voting power as larger states, creating a fair system for them.

The Articles of Confederation gave Congress limited power to deal with issues such as taxes, commerce, and settling disputes. They could not tax, regulate commerce, or enforce laws effectively.

Shays' Rebellion, an uprising of Massachusetts farmers facing economic hardship, exposed the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. The government's inability to effectively respond highlighted the need for a stronger central authority.

The Articles of Confederation failed to provide an effective central government. The government lacked the power to address crucial issues like interstate commerce, taxation, and debt, contributing to economic instability and unrest.

The Articles of Confederation allowed states to ignore treaties, impose tariffs on each other, create their own currency, and tax their citizens. This led to economic instability and hindered national unity.

The Articles of Confederation established the first version of the US government with a weak central authority. This government had a legislative branch but lacked an executive or judicial branch.

The Articles of Confederation lacked a centralized military and a quick response system to address issues, leading to slow decision-making and ineffective problem-solving. This weakness further contributed to its ultimate downfall.

Key figures like Benjamin Franklin and John Dickinson played vital roles in the creation and development of the Articles of Confederation. Despite their contributions, the government was ineffective, highlighting the challenges of establishing a new system.