Lesson 1.03 Origins of American Democracy

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Review the key terms, events, and people from this lesson using the interactive game below.

1. Which of the following was the first attempt to limit the power of the monarchy? It marked the beginning of limited government in England.
   1. Petition of Rights
   2. Magna Carta
   3. English Bill of Rights
   4. Declaration of Independence

   Answer: b. Magna Carta

2. What document attempted to force the king of England to recognize the right of the people to representative government? It asserted the notion that taxes could not be imposed without the consent of Parliament and that the king had to call Parliament for regular session.
   1. English Bill of Rights
   2. Declaration of Independence
   3. Petition of Rights
   4. Magna Carta

   Answer: c. Petition of Rights

3. Which of the following philosophers most directly influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence?
   1. Thomas Hobbes
   2. Charles de Montesquieu
   3. John Locke
   4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

   Answer: c. John Locke

4. Which of the following philosophers most directly influenced the writers of the constitution to include three branches of government?
   1. Thomas Hobbes
   2. Charles de Montesquieu
   3. John Locke
   4. Jean-Jacques Rousseau

   Answer: b. Charles de Montesquieu

5. Which pair of documents most influenced the contents of the Bill of Rights added to the United States Constitution?
   1. Magna Carta and Petition of Rights
   2. Petition of Rights and English Bill of Rights
   3. English Bill of Rights and the Virginia Declaration of Rights
   4. Virginia Declaration of Rights and Mayflower Compact

   Answer: c. English Bill of Rights and the Virginia Declaration of Rights

6. In writing the United States Constitution, the writers were directly influenced by all of the following EXCEPT
   1. their fear of a system of checks and balances
   2. their experiences in colonial government
   3. their English heritage
   4. their reading the works of Enlightenment philosophers

   Answer: a. their fear of a system of checks and balances

7. Which of the following statements best describes the historical influences on the writers of the United States Constitution?
   1. The writers were heavily influenced by their experiences as English citizens
   2. The writers made up their own minds. Few outside influences impacted their wrighting
   3. The writers were influenced by popular writings in newspapers of the day
   4. The writers feared the power of a representative body such as a Parliament or Congress

   Answer: a. The writers were heavily influenced by their experiences as English citizens

8. The fact that from the beginning the English colonies operated under the belief that a legitimate government must be formed through the will of the people to submit to that government may be seen in:
   1. the demands of the colonists that the king resign from power
   2. the signing of the Mayflower Compact
   3. the colonist's demand that a Bill of Rights be added to the Declaration of Independence
   4. the colonists participation in the Great Awakening

   Answer: b. the signing of the Mayflower Compact

9. The Enlightenment philosopher Thomas Hobbes asserted the belief that:
   1. the purpose of government is to provide the greatest good for the greatest number
   2. the power of government should be controlled through the creation of three branches of government
   3. natural rights common to all people exist
   4. the individual interests in favor of the common good

   Answer: a. the purpose of government is to provide the greatest good for the greatest number

10. Rousseau, author of The Social Contract, asserted:
    1. three branches of government should exist in order to control power
    2. individuals do not possess natural rights
    3. a belief that the individual should sacrifice self-interest in favor of the common good
    4. the purpose of government is to provide the greatest good for the greatest number

    Answer: c. a belief that the individual should sacrifice self-interest in favor of the common good

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