L5 FAMILIAR BUT FLAWED

What was the first written constitution of the United States after winning independence?

• English Bill of Rights
• Magna Carta
• Articles of Confederation
• U.S. Constitution

The Articles of Confederation limited the central government's power. Why did the Founding Fathers choose this approach?

• To ensure the government could easily pass new laws
• To prevent a single leader from becoming a tyrant
• To make states more like separate countries
• To allow the king to keep some power

How did the Magna Carta influence the British government's approach to leadership?

• It allowed the monarch to have absolute power.
• It required the king to share power with Parliament.
• It made it easier for the king to raise taxes.
• It gave all citizens the right to vote.

If you were creating a mind map to show how British ideas influenced the U.S. Constitution, which connection would be the most important to highlight first?

• The king's absolute power led to a powerful U.S. president.
• The British idea of virtual representation led to direct elections in the U.S.
• The Magna Carta's limits on the monarch led to U.S. checks and balances.
• The English Bill of Rights only protected Protestants, so the U.S. removed all religious clauses.

Before the 17th Amendment, state legislatures chose senators. How did this differ from how senators are chosen today?

• Today, senators are chosen by the President.
• Today, senators are chosen by judges.
• Today, senators are chosen by a popular vote of the people.
• Today, senators are still chosen by state legislatures.

In the sentence, 'many felt that the disenfranchised—or those not allowed to vote—were just fine in that position,' what does 'disenfranchised' most nearly mean?

• People who were happy with the government
• People who owned a lot of property
• People who were not allowed to vote
• People who held important jobs in Parliament

British leaders believed in 'virtual representation.' What can you infer about their view of who could represent colonists?

• Members of Parliament, even if not directly elected by colonists, could speak for them.
• Only colonists themselves could truly represent their interests.
• Colonists should have had direct elections for Parliament members.
• The king alone had the right to decide what was best for colonists.

Some early Americans worried a president could become too powerful. How did they apply a solution to prevent this?

• They decided to have a king instead of a president.
• They created checks and balances to limit power.
• They gave states all the power in the government.
• They made the president's job last for life.

What was the main purpose of adding the Bill of Rights to the U.S. Constitution?

• To make it easier to raise taxes
• To protect the rights of individuals
• To create a powerful executive branch
• To give more power to the states

The English Bill of Rights said 'Excessive bail ought not to be required.' If a state judge requires extremely high bail for a minor crime today, which U.S. amendment could a lawyer use to challenge this?

• 1st Amendment
• 2nd Amendment
• 8th Amendment
• 17th Amendment