Unit 1 Chapter 2 Study Guide

Which document organized the first version of the United States government?

• Constitution

• Bill of Rights

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

According to James Madison, what was the main flaw with the original U.S. central government?

• It did not protect people’s rights.

• Congress did not have enough power.

• It could not protect the country from outsiders.

• The states could not make their own decisions.

What document is James Madison given most credit for?

• Constitution

• Bill of Rights

• Articles of Confederation

• Declaration of Independence

What did the Virginia Plan propose? Select the three correct answers.

• The central government should have more power than under the Articles of Confederation.

• The new constitution should include a bill of rights.

• The central government should provide for the people's welfare.

• The central government should protect against foreign enemies.

• States should be responsible for funding the military.

Which describes a federal system of government?

• Power is divided between the central government and the states.

• Power is held by the voting public and government leaders.

• Power is held only by the central government.

• Power is held only by individual states.

Which are specified by the Constitution drafted at the Constitutional Convention? Select the two correct answers.

• the process of electing leaders

• that all people are created equal

• the structure of the state governments

• the structure of the central government

• the rights held by citizens of the United States

Use the image to answer the question. Which amendment gives you the right to say what you think without the government interfering?

• Fifth Amendment

• First Amendment

• Eighth Amendment

• Tenth Amendment

Why does the Constitution call for separation of powers?

• to balance work evenly among branches of government

• to keep government leaders from staying in their positions too long

• to prevent a single branch of the government from becoming too powerful

• to keep state governments and the central government from sharing duties

What happens if a state law disagrees with the Constitution?

• A new law is created.

• The state law is followed.

• The Constitution is followed.

• The Constitution is amended.

Use the following passage from the preamble to the Constitution to answer the question. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility [peace], provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity [descendants], do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Which phrase from the preamble tells the reader that the government gets its power to make laws from the people?

• “provide for the common defense”

• “We the People of the United States”

• “in Order to form a more perfect Union”

• “do ordain and establish this Constitution”