Philosophical Foundations of the U.S. Political System

Which ancient city-state established the first democratic system of government, and influenced the American Founding Fathers with their system of direct democracy? 

• Sparta

• Ur

• Mohenjo-Daro

• Athens

The Roman political system was different from the democracy of the ancient Greeks in that it was... 

• indirect democracy

• inclusive of all classes, genders, and races

• a republic rather than direct democracy

• based on the teachings of Christianity

Which of the following is NOT an actual similarity between the ancient Roman Republic and the U.S. political system? 

• Both Rome & the U.S. were controlled by a monarch who was overthrown by frustrated citizens.

• The Romans - like the United States - they did have separate branches of government similar to the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of the American system (checks & balances).

• Both the Romans and the U.S. political system includes the office of tribunes, who are/were elected by the governing body and represented the interests of poor citizens.

• Both the Romans and the U.S. employed a representative democracy, or a republic in which citizens vote for leaders and officials who make laws for them.

TRUE or FALSE: Slavery was a characteristic of society in the ancient Roman Greek, and early American systems.  

• TRUE

• FALSE

Which of the following legal principles is NOT common to both the ancient Roman Republic and the U.S. political system? 

• the legal principle of an eye for an eye

• a person accused of a crime is innocent until proven guilty

• the accused has the right to trial by jury

• citizens have the right to equal treatment.

The idea that a person cannot be imprisoned or stripped of their rights without a fair trial (or due process of law) was first enshrined in what document? 

• The Constitution

• Magna Carta

• The Twelve Tables

• Hammurabi's Code

The idea that a person cannot be imprisoned or stripped of their rights without a fair trial (or due process of law) is known as? 

• carpe diem

• per aspera ad astra

• Senatus Populusque Romanus

• habeas corpus

In stating and enshrining the rights of English lords and nobles and holding the king accountable to the law, the Magna Carta could most closely be compared with what American document? 

• Declaration of Independence

• Articles of Confederation

• Bill of Rights

• Albany Plan of Union

The political philosophy that all citizens and institutions within a country, state, or community are accountable to the same laws, including lawmakers and leaders. 

• Due process

• Limited government

• self government

• rule of law

a course of formal proceedings (such as legal proceedings) carried out regularly and in accordance with established rules and principles

• Due process

• Limited government

• self government

• rule of law