Which Enlightenment philosophers influenced America’s

CTU American Studies the Divine Right of Kings Questions

Civics Review Sheet (Final Exam)

1. Which Enlightenment philosophers influenced America’s Founding Fathers with their social contract theory?

2. What did Enlightenment philosophers and the Founding Fathers mean by "unalienable rights"?

3. What are some examples of checks and balances in American government?

4. What are some advantages of a presidential government?

5. What is a key difference between the divine right of kings and a constitutional government?

6. How did the creators of the Declaration of Independence address the controversial issue of slavery confronting them at the birth of our nation?

7. What was the Great (Connecticut) Compromise, proposed by Roger Sherman at the Constitutional Convention?

8. What are several beliefs and principles in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution that helped create our national identity?

 9. What was one of the main reasons the Founding Fathers created federalism as America’s government?

10. How does the U.S. Congress, a bicameral branch of government, address the issue of state representation?

11. What are some functions of state governments that are NOT functions of the federal government?

12. What are expressed powers of Congress and what are several examples?

13. How can the Congressional power to investigate provide for checks and balances among the branches of government?

14. How does the power to make treaties in the United States Constitution provide for checks and balances among the three branches of government?

15. What types of courts have exclusive jurisdiction in all federal matters?

16. What types of cases would the U.S. Court of Appeals hear?

17. What is another name for Illinois’ legislative body?

18. What is the practice of judicial review?

19. What is due process of law?

20. What is meant by the phrase probable cause?

21. Which amendment in the Bill of Rights addresses the issue of religious freedom?

22. How did the Supreme Court rule in the flag burning case, Texas v. Johnson (1989)?

23. What is the American Disabilities Act?

24. What was, perhaps, the biggest problem with the implementation of the 15th Amendment and how it affected African Americans?

25. What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights?

26. How does gerrymandering help the party in power win elections?

27. What was the Civil Rights Act of 1964?

28. How do minor parties differ from the two major political parties in America?

29. What are several ways in which the political process is impacted by the Internet?

30. Why did President Washington warn Americans about political parties in his farewell address?

31. What are some valid criticisms of the electoral college system?

32. How do PAC’s (Political Action Committees) impact elections?

33. What is “soft money”, and how does it affect politics?

34. What are primary elections and how do they result in the nomination of candidates?

35. What are the criteria for voting in federal elections?