Basic Principles of the Constitution

Which constitutional principle is identified with the concept of consent of the governed?

• rule of law

• checks and balances

• separation of powers

• popular sovereignty

Before the U.S. Constitution was adopted, each state held a ratifying convention to discuss and vote on the Constitution.

​Alexander Hamilton attended the New York state rectification convention. A quote from one of his speeches during the convention is shown.

"Here [in the U.S. House of Representatives], sir, the people govern; here they act by their immediate representative​s."

Which basic principle of government is Hamilton highlighting in this quote?

• federalism

• limited government

• popular sovereignty

• separation of powers

The preamble to the U.S. Constitution introduces one of the basic principles of government in the United States. An excerpt from the preamble to the U.S. Constitution is shown.

"We the People of the United States . . . do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."

​Which basic principle of government is introduced in the Preamble?

• federalism

• limited government

• popular sovereignty

• checks and balances

Federalism: A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have authority over the same land and people.

Part A

Which fact about American government reflects the above definition of federalism?

• Power is divided among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

• Private organizations in the United States do much of the work that is performed by local governments in other countries.

• Citizens in the United States are subject to both state and federal laws.

• Citizens in the United States have a right to protection from intrusion into their private affairs.

Federalism: A way of organizing a nation so that two or more levels of government have authority over the same land and people.

Part B

In the United States, what occurs when state and national laws are in conflict?

• The state law is enforced.

• The national law is enforced.

• The state decides which law to enforce.

• The public holds a referendum to decide which law should be enforced.

Which idea was at the center of the Anti-Federalist position as expressed in the Anti-Federalist Papers?

• Standing Army

• Limited Government

• Checks and Balances

• Strong Central Government

Before the U.S. Constitution was ratified, Federalists and Anti-Federalists argued over the role of the central government. The statement below reflects those arguments.

Which group held the position in the quote below:

"A strong national government with power over the states is needed to protect the states from excessive competition and fighting with one another. Let the thirteen states, bound together in a permanent Union, agree in erecting one great American system, superior to the control of all foreign influence."

• Anti-Federalists

• Federalists

Before the U.S. Constitution was ratified, Federalists and Anti-Federalists argued over the role of the central government. The statement below reflects those arguments.

Which group held the position in the quote below:

"It is the opinion of great writers, that a very extensive country cannot be governed on democratic principles , on any other plan than a confederation of small republics, possessing all the powers of government, but united in the management of their foreign and general concerns."

• Anti-Federalists

• Federalists

"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or the people."

This quotation from the 10th Amendment of The Bill of Rights, was primarily intended to...

• give the people the right to vote on important issues

• limit the rights of American citizens

• place limits on the powers of the national government

• Assure the national government would control the state governments

Which has been an important application of the "due process of law" clause of the 5th Amendment?

• Freedoms of speech and the press have been limited

• The reciting of prayers in public schools has been limted

• People accused of a crime have been protected from abusive behavior by the police

• The power of the Supreme Court in criminal cases has been limted