Why was it important for the founders of the u.s. to use political theory from successful civilizations when creating the framework of the U.S. government?
The U.S. wanted to create a society where people would live in fear of losing an eye so everyone would obey, as they did the Code of Hammurabi.
The Founders wanted a government that would be popular with all of its people, so they looked at other popular governments.
The Founders wanted to create a successful government, so they looked at other political theories that were successful.
The goal of the Founders was to create government that kept its laws and punishments secret, and the Code of Hammurabi was secretive so they looked to it for inspiration.
Foundations and Constitution Unit Test
What is one reason the Framers wanted to model the U.S. government after the English government? (1 point)
• The Framers wanted a monarch to rule.
• The Framers wanted a limited government, and England had a limited government.
• The Framers wanted a government that was limited in size.
• The Framers were reluctant to look anywhere but England because they thought England's government was perfect.
The correct answer is: The Framers wanted a limited government, and England had a limited government.
The Framers were inspired by the principles of limited government found in the English system, such as the Magna Carta, which established certain rights and limitations on the power of the monarch. They saw the English government as a model for establishing a system that would protect individual rights and prevent the concentration of power in a single authority. However, it is important to note that the Framers also drew ideas from various other sources, such as ancient Greece and the Enlightenment thinkers, and did not view the English government as perfect or the sole inspiration for the U.S. government.
Why did the Hebrew congregation write to George Washington? (1 point)
• to tell him they were angry that he did not treat all religions fairly
• to congratulate him and thank him for enforcing religious tolerance in this country as president
• to ask him for assistance in practicing their religion
• to try to get him to make the Jewish faith the national religion
The correct answer is: to congratulate him and thank him for enforcing religious tolerance in this country as president.
The Hebrew congregation wrote to George Washington to express their gratitude and appreciation for his efforts in promoting and enforcing religious tolerance in the United States. They recognized his commitment to ensuring that all religions were treated fairly and wanted to acknowledge his leadership in creating an environment where religious freedom was upheld.
Aristotle and Blackstone both supported the restriction of the arbitrary use of government power based on well-defined and established laws which is known as (1 point)
• the rule of law.
• limited government.
• direct democracy.
• eminent domain.
The correct answer is: the rule of law.
Both Aristotle and Blackstone advocated for the concept of the rule of law, which refers to the principle that government power should be limited and restrained by well-defined and established laws. This means that the exercise of governmental authority should be based on clear legal principles and that individuals should be governed by impartial laws rather than the arbitrary whims of those in power. The rule of law ensures that all individuals, regardless of status, are subject to the same laws and protections, promoting fairness and justice within a society.
Distinguish which of the following types of government is a limited government. (1 point)
• an absolute monarchy
• a constitutional monarchy
• an oligarchy
• a dictatorship
The correct answer is: a constitutional monarchy.
A limited government refers to a system in which the powers and authorities of the government are restricted by a constitution or a set of laws. In a constitutional monarchy, the monarch's authority is limited by a constitution, which establishes the rights and limitations of the government, outlines the powers of the monarch, and often includes provisions for the protection of individual rights. This arrangement typically includes checks and balances, separation of powers, and mechanisms for accountability. In contrast, an absolute monarchy, an oligarchy, and a dictatorship do not have the same level of restrictions on government power and are thus not considered limited governments.
How is the idea of a social contract related to natural rights? (1 point)
• A social contract preserves natural rights by returning society to a state of nature.
• A social contract protects people's natural rights by having citizens give up some individual freedoms.
• A social contract codifies natural rights into law by making it part of the Constitution.
• A social contract takes away people's natural rights by eliminating all individual freedoms.
The correct answer is: A social contract protects people's natural rights by having citizens give up some individual freedoms.
The concept of a social contract, as proposed by philosophers like John Locke and Jean-Jacques Rousseau, suggests that individuals enter into a mutually agreed-upon contract with their government, surrendering some of their individual freedoms in exchange for the protection of their natural rights. Natural rights are inherent and inalienable rights that individuals possess simply by virtue of being human, such as the rights to life, liberty, and property. The social contract is a way to establish a system of government that ensures the protection and preservation of these natural rights for all members of society.