Questions About the Foundation of the United States That Most People Get Wrong

Last year, PoliTech, a student group at Texas Tech University, conducted a survey on campus, asking basic questions about American history and current affairs. Surprisingly, many students struggled to answer questions like “Who won the Civil War?” and “Who is our vice president?”

A) True B) False

False. American governance has long been a complex interplay of democratic and non-democratic elements. John Adams advocated for a “mixed” form of government, blending monarchy, aristocracy, and democracy. The federal Constitution, according to many founders including Adams, established a “republic,” emphasizing the rule of law over individuals. The Electoral College also diminishes direct voter influence in presidential elections, as seen in the contentious 2000 election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.

A) “They are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness” B) “All persons born or naturalized in the United States are citizens of the United States” C) “No soldier shall, in times of peace, be quartered in any house, without the consent of the owner” D) “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”

A) “They are endowed by the Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

A) A reporter publishes an article critical of city officials. B) A man on trial refuses to testify against himself. C) A woman asks to see a lawyer before answering questions from the police. D) A family refuses to permit soldiers to be housed in their home.

A) A reporter publishes an article critical of city officials.

A) Congress controls interstate commerce. B) The President shares control over foreign policy with Congress. C) The Supreme Court can declare acts of Congress unconstitutional. D) Government officials cannot enter a home without the owners permission or a valid search warrant.

D) Government officials cannot enter a home without the owners permission or a valid search warrant.

A) Republican government B) Popular sovereignty C) Judicial review D) Checks and balances

D) Checks and balances

A) A member of the Continental Congress B) An early mayor of Boston C) An important French author who analyzed U.S. politics and society D) A Frenchman who befriended George Washington

C) An important French author who analyzed U.S. politics and society. Alexis de Tocqueville (1805–1859) was a multifaceted figure in French history, renowned for his contributions as an aristocrat, diplomat, sociologist, political scientist, philosopher, and historian. His profound insights and writings continue to shape political thought and social analysis. One of his most significant works is Democracy in America (1835), where he delved into the political and social landscape of the United States during the early 19th century. Through this book, Tocqueville provided invaluable observations on democracy, individualism, and the pivotal role of civil society, which remain relevant in contemporary discourse.

A) President B) Supreme Court C) House of Representatives D) The President’s Cabinet

C) House of Representatives

A) president B) court system C) Constitution D) states

C) Constitution

A) 1 B) 2 C) 3 D) 4

C) 3

A) Executive B) Judicial C) Legislative D) Presidential

B) Judicial

A) George Washington B) Andrew Jackson C) Abraham Lincoln D) Thomas Jefferson

D) Thomas Jefferson

A) Federalism B) Individual rights C) Separation of powers D) Popular sovereignty

B) Individual rights

A) Censorship B) Census C) Citizenship

B) Census

A) State B) National C) Both

A) State

A) 4th Amendment B) 6th Amendment C) 12th Amendment D) 11th Amendment

A) 4th Amendment

A) 22nd Amendment B) 19th Amendment C) 13th Amendment D) 1st Amendment

B) 19th Amendment