U.S. Constitution Quiz

What was the first constitution of the United States?

• The Federalist Papers

• The Bill of Rights

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Declaration of Independence

Why was the Articles of Confederation replaced?

• It gave too much power to the national government

• It failed to include Enlightenment ideas

• It was too weak to rule effectively

• It led to a monarchy

When was the U.S. Constitution written?

• 1776

• 1787

• 1801

• 1791

Which of the following was NOT one of the Framers of the Constitution?

• George Washington

• James Madison

• Thomas Hobbes

• Benjamin Franklin

The idea of separation of powers was influenced by:

• John Locke

• William Blackstone

• Voltaire

• Montesquieu

Which Enlightenment thinker introduced the idea of natural rights such as life, liberty, and property?

• Rousseau

• Montesquieu

• Locke

• Hobbes

Which part of the Constitution protects basic individual freedoms?

• The Federalist Papers

• The Preamble

• The Bill of Rights

• The Supreme Court

What is one example of a legal idea influenced by William Blackstone?

• Taxation without representation

• Freedom of religion

• Trial by combat

• Better that ten guilty persons escape than one innocent suffer

The U.S. Constitution created what type of government?

• Absolute monarchy

• Federal republic

• Communist state

• Parliamentary democracy

What is the purpose of checks and balances?

• To give more power to the president

• To allow the government to monitor citizens

• To prevent any branch of government from becoming too powerful

• To eliminate the judiciary branch