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9th grade · Social Studies · Unit 1 of 10

Foundations of Democracy

Ideas behind the Constitution

What your child practices

Greek, Roman, English and Enlightenment roots of American government, Tocqueville's view of American democracy, republican and liberal ideas, the Federalist Papers and the Bill of Rights as a limit on government.

California Content Standards learning standard: 12.1.1; 12.1.2; 12.1.3; 12.1.4; 12.1.5; 12.1.6 · the influence of earlier thinkers, Tocqueville on American democracy, the Constitution's balance of ideas, separated powers and the Bill of Rights as limits on government

Sample questions

A taste of this unit. In the app, questions change every time and get easier or harder to match your child.

  1. Question 1

    The Declaration of Independence says governments are created to…

    • secure people's unalienable rights
    • collect taxes only
    • control trade
    • make kings rich

  2. Question 2

    Popular sovereignty means…

    • the people are the source of government's power
    • the courts choose leaders
    • the most popular person rules
    • kings own the land

  3. Question 3

    The Roman Republic gave Americans the idea of…

    • no laws
    • elected representatives
    • rule by the pope
    • absolute monarchy

  4. Question 4

    Tocqueville warned of a danger in democracy he called the…

    • rule of law
    • tyranny of the majority
    • separation of powers
    • Bill of Rights

  5. Question 5

    The idea of separation of powers in the US Constitution came largely from…

    • Confucius
    • Hammurabi
    • Montesquieu
    • Machiavelli

  6. Question 6

    Why did the Founders create a republic rather than a direct democracy?

    • representatives could deliberate and protect minority rights
    • the country was too small
    • they wanted a king
    • they banned voting

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