American Politics and the US
Constitution - C963 WGU Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
natrual rights - Correct answer-Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke - Correct answer-17th century English philosopher who opposed the
Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life,
liberty, and property.
State of Nature - Correct answer-Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the
absence of government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and
general equality.
Due Process - Correct answer-involves the government's obligation to treat all
citizens fairly. Such a requirement lessens the extent to which government power
can be exercised over the individual, making the power differential between the
two more fair, and ensuring a general sense of political equality
Social Contract - Correct answer-A voluntary agreement among individuals to
secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.
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,Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) - Correct answer-One of the first individuals to
contribute to the idea of the social contract was a pre-Enlightenment English
philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes - Correct answer-Hobbes argues that society is
not something natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement - Correct answer-the formation of labor unions, during the
1880's, for the workers to receive better treatment by
Constitution - Correct answer-A document which spells out the principles by which
a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights - Correct answer-The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence - Correct answer-the document recording the
proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the
independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson - Correct answer-Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) - Correct answer-which almost resulted in potential
mob rule, suggested there might be too much democracy at play, and that maybe
individual liberty was going too far
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,Articles of Confederation - Correct answer-A weak constitution that governed
America during the Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51 - Correct answer-Argues that separation of powers within the
national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the
hands of one person or a single group.
First Amendment - Correct answer-Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Second Amendment - Correct answer-Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment - Correct answer-The government may not house soldiers in
private homes without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment - Correct answer-It protects people against unfair searches of
their homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment - Correct answer-A constitutional amendment designed to
protect the rights of persons accused of crimes, including protection against double
jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due process of law.
Sixth Amendment - Correct answer-Right to a speedy and public trial
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, Seventh Amendment - Correct answer-Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment - Correct answer-No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment - Correct answer-peoples rights are not just limited to those
listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment - Correct answer-Amendment stating that the powers not
delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature - Correct answer-A law making body made of two houses (bi
means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House
of Representatives and The Senate.
House of Representatives - Correct answer-the lower house of Congress, consisting
of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan - Correct answer-Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan - Correct answer-Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention - Correct answer-Meeting in 1787 of the elected
representatives of the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United
States.
unicameral legislature - Correct answer-One-house legislature
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 4
Constitution - C963 WGU Exam 2026
Questions and Answers
natrual rights - Correct answer-Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke - Correct answer-17th century English philosopher who opposed the
Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life,
liberty, and property.
State of Nature - Correct answer-Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the
absence of government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and
general equality.
Due Process - Correct answer-involves the government's obligation to treat all
citizens fairly. Such a requirement lessens the extent to which government power
can be exercised over the individual, making the power differential between the
two more fair, and ensuring a general sense of political equality
Social Contract - Correct answer-A voluntary agreement among individuals to
secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 1
,Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) - Correct answer-One of the first individuals to
contribute to the idea of the social contract was a pre-Enlightenment English
philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes - Correct answer-Hobbes argues that society is
not something natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement - Correct answer-the formation of labor unions, during the
1880's, for the workers to receive better treatment by
Constitution - Correct answer-A document which spells out the principles by which
a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights - Correct answer-The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence - Correct answer-the document recording the
proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the
independence of the colonies from Great Britain
Thomas Jefferson - Correct answer-Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) - Correct answer-which almost resulted in potential
mob rule, suggested there might be too much democracy at play, and that maybe
individual liberty was going too far
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 2
,Articles of Confederation - Correct answer-A weak constitution that governed
America during the Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51 - Correct answer-Argues that separation of powers within the
national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the
hands of one person or a single group.
First Amendment - Correct answer-Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the
freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to
assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.
Second Amendment - Correct answer-Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment - Correct answer-The government may not house soldiers in
private homes without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment - Correct answer-It protects people against unfair searches of
their homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment - Correct answer-A constitutional amendment designed to
protect the rights of persons accused of crimes, including protection against double
jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due process of law.
Sixth Amendment - Correct answer-Right to a speedy and public trial
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 3
, Seventh Amendment - Correct answer-Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment - Correct answer-No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment - Correct answer-peoples rights are not just limited to those
listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment - Correct answer-Amendment stating that the powers not
delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature - Correct answer-A law making body made of two houses (bi
means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House
of Representatives and The Senate.
House of Representatives - Correct answer-the lower house of Congress, consisting
of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan - Correct answer-Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan - Correct answer-Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention - Correct answer-Meeting in 1787 of the elected
representatives of the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United
States.
unicameral legislature - Correct answer-One-house legislature
©COPYRIGHT 2025, ALL RIGHTS RESERVE 4
