Which of the following statements from the English Bill of Rights best reflects the principle of popular sovereignty?

A. "That the pretended power of suspending the laws or the execution of laws by regal authority without consent of Parliament is illegal."
Correct! Popular sovereignty, or rule by the people, is expressed through the consent of Parliament, the people’s representatives.

B. "That excessive bail ought not to be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.”
Incorrect. This statement limits the power of government to impose cruel and unusual punishment, but does not have a role for the people.

C. “That the commission for erecting the late Court of Commissioners for Ecclesiastical Causes, and all other commissions and courts of like nature, are illegal and pernicious.”
Incorrect. This statement limits the powers of government, declaring a commission illegal, but makes no reference to the people.

D. “That it is the right of the subjects to petition the king, and all commitments and prosecutions for such petitioning are illegal.”
Incorrect. This answer is close because it grants individual right to petition the king. However, it does not state anything about the people having any power to rule or give consent to the king’s actions.

Which of the following statements best describes the meaning of equality, as stated in the Declaration of Independence and in source documents like Thomas Hobbes’Leviathan?

A. Human beings are exactly alike in every respect, from strength to intelligence.
Incorrect. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. Hobbes discusses what differences emerge are small enough to be meaningless, but there are some differences.

B. Human beings must have exactly the same condition in life. They should have the same amounts of money and other resources.
Incorrect. The Declaration of Independence states that people are made equal and there must be equality before the law. However, it does not guarantee equality of outcomes, such as having the same amounts of money.

C. Human beings are equal at birth, and eventual differences in abilities are small enough to be meaningless.
Correct! The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. Hobbes discusses what differences emerge are small enough to be meaningless.

D. Even though people are quite different, it is the government’s job to make everyone equal.
Incorrect. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal. A government that had to make everyone the same, would exceed its limited power.

  • Some American colonists called King George III a tyrant.
  • Many colonists complained that the actions of the British government exceeded its given power.

Which of the following principles of the Declaration of Independence opposed the actions described above?

A. Equality
Incorrect. These statements show a violation of limited government because the government has exceeded its legitimate power.

B. Limited Government
Correct! These statements show a violation of limited government because the government has exceeded its legitimate power.

C. Popular Sovereignty
Incorrect. These statements show a violation of limited government because the government has exceeded its legitimate power.

D. Individual Rights
Incorrect. These statements show a violation of limited government because the government has exceeded its legitimate power.

The Mayflower Compact, which was an agreement among the Pilgrims to establish the government for themselves, is an example of —

A. Declaration of Independence
Incorrect. The Mayflower Compact, as a deal among the Pilgrims, is an example of a social contract. The Pilgrims, in fact, were very clear in the document that they were still part of Great Britain.

B. State of Nature
Incorrect. The Mayflower Compact, as a deal among the Pilgrims, is an example of a social contract.

C. Articles of Confederation
Incorrect. The Mayflower Compact, as a deal among the Pilgrims, is an example of a social contract. Since the people agreed to give power to the government, it was not a tyranny, or unjust government.

D. Social Contract
Correct! The Mayflower Compact, as a deal among the Pilgrims, is an example of a social contract.

“Whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends (its purposes), it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to affect their Safety and Happiness.”

This passage from the Declaration of Independence reflects which of its four principles?

 I.  Limited government
 II.  Individual rights
 III.  Popular sovereignty
 IV.  Equality
 

A.

  • Limited Government
  • Equality
  • Domestic Tranquility

Incorrect. Although the passage reflects limited government (right of the people to alter or abolish government), this passage does not reflect the principle of equality. Domestic tranquility is not a principle of the Declaration of Independence.

B.

  • Limited Government
  • Individual Rights
  • Equality

Incorrect. Although the passage reflects limited government (right of the people to alter or abolish government), this passage does not reflect the principles of individual rights or equality.

C.

  • Limited Government
  • Individual Rights
  • Popular Sovereignty

Correct! The passage reflects limited government (right of the people to alter or abolish government) individual rights (right of the people), and popular sovereignty (people rule). It makes no mention of equality.

D.

  • Individual Rights
  • Property Rights
  • Equality

Incorrect. The passage reflects limited government (talking about its ends, or purposes) individual rights (right of the people), and popular sovereignty (people rule). It makes no mention of equality.