WGU C963 AMERICAN POLITICS OBJECTIVE ASSESSMENT
PREP 2026/2027 | US Constitution | Grade A 100% Correct |
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[Section 1: Philosophical Foundations & Colonial Influences (Q1-12)]
Q1. Which Enlightenment philosopher argued that life in the state of nature would be
"solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," justifying a strong central sovereign to maintain
order?
A. John Locke
B. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
C. Thomas Hobbes [CORRECT]
D. Baron de Montesquieu
Rationale: Hobbes described the state of nature as a war of every man against every
man, requiring absolute sovereignty to maintain order. Locke viewed the state of nature
more favorably and argued for limited government, Rousseau emphasized the general
will, and Montesquieu focused on separation of powers.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. Which philosopher's ideas most directly influenced the Declaration of
Independence's assertion that people have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness?
A. Thomas Hobbes
B. John Locke [CORRECT]
C. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
D. Karl Marx
Rationale: Locke articulated natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which Jefferson
adapted in the Declaration. Hobbes emphasized order over rights, Rousseau focused on
,the general will rather than individual natural rights, and Marx was not an Enlightenment
philosopher influencing the founding.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. In Rousseau's concept of the social contract, legitimate political authority derives
from:
A. Hereditary monarchy sanctioned by divine right
B. The general will of the people [CORRECT]
C. A strong central sovereign preventing civil war
D. Separation of powers among three branches
Rationale: Rousseau argued that sovereignty rests with the people and laws must
reflect the general will. Divine right monarchy contradicts social contract theory, Hobbes
advocated for a strong sovereign, and Montesquieu proposed separation of powers.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. Montesquieu's contribution to American constitutional design was primarily his
argument for:
A. Direct democracy in all legislative matters
B. A unitary executive with unlimited veto power
C. Separation of powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches [CORRECT]
D. A unicameral legislature based on state equality
Rationale: Montesquieu's "The Spirit of the Laws" advocated dividing government power
among three branches to prevent tyranny, heavily influencing the Constitution's
structure. Direct democracy, unlimited veto power, and unicameralism were not his
theories.
Correct Answer: C
Q5. A colony establishes a representative assembly where elected legislators make
decisions on behalf of the people. This system reflects:
A. Direct democracy
,B. Republicanism [CORRECT]
C. Absolute monarchy
D. Oligarchy
Rationale: Republicanism relies on elected representatives rather than direct citizen
voting on every issue. Direct democracy requires citizens to vote on laws directly, while
absolute monarchy and oligarchy do not involve representative election.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. The concept that government authority originates from the consent of the governed
rather than divine right is central to:
A. Theocracy
B. Social contract theory [CORRECT]
C. Absolute monarchy
D. Feudalism
Rationale: Social contract theory posits that individuals agree to form government and
surrender some freedom in exchange for protection and order. Theocracy derives
authority from religion, absolute monarchy from hereditary divine right, and feudalism
from land tenure obligations.
Correct Answer: B
Q7. The Mayflower Compact (1620) is significant in American political development
because it established:
A. A formal declaration of independence from England
B. A written framework for self-government based on consent [CORRECT]
C. The first bicameral legislature in the colonies
D. A state church with mandatory attendance
Rationale: The Mayflower Compact created a civil body politic based on the consent of
the signers, representing an early colonial example of self-government. It was not a
, declaration of independence, did not create a bicameral legislature, and did not
establish a mandatory state church.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. The English Magna Carta (1215) and English Bill of Rights (1689) influenced
American colonial thought primarily by:
A. Establishing the divine right of kings
B. Limiting monarchical power and guaranteeing certain liberties [CORRECT]
C. Creating a unicameral parliamentary system
D. Abolishing all forms of taxation
Rationale: These English documents established precedents for limited government,
due process, and protected rights that colonists later demanded. They did not establish
divine right, create unicameralism, or abolish taxation.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A political theorist argues that if government fails to protect natural rights, citizens
have the right to revolution. This view is most closely associated with:
A. Thomas Hobbes
B. John Locke [CORRECT]
C. Edmund Burke
D. Alexander Hamilton
Rationale: Locke asserted that government exists by consent to protect natural rights,
and revolution is justified when government violates this trust. Hobbes opposed
revolution once the sovereign was established, Burke supported gradual reform over
revolution, and Hamilton was a Federalist advocating strong central government.
Correct Answer: B
Q10. Which colonial document first established the principle of representative
self-government in Virginia?
A. Mayflower Compact
PREP 2026/2027 | US Constitution | Grade A 100% Correct |
Complete Study Guide | Pass Guaranteed - A+ Graded
[Section 1: Philosophical Foundations & Colonial Influences (Q1-12)]
Q1. Which Enlightenment philosopher argued that life in the state of nature would be
"solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short," justifying a strong central sovereign to maintain
order?
A. John Locke
B. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
C. Thomas Hobbes [CORRECT]
D. Baron de Montesquieu
Rationale: Hobbes described the state of nature as a war of every man against every
man, requiring absolute sovereignty to maintain order. Locke viewed the state of nature
more favorably and argued for limited government, Rousseau emphasized the general
will, and Montesquieu focused on separation of powers.
Correct Answer: C
Q2. Which philosopher's ideas most directly influenced the Declaration of
Independence's assertion that people have unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the
pursuit of happiness?
A. Thomas Hobbes
B. John Locke [CORRECT]
C. Jean-Jacques Rousseau
D. Karl Marx
Rationale: Locke articulated natural rights to life, liberty, and property, which Jefferson
adapted in the Declaration. Hobbes emphasized order over rights, Rousseau focused on
,the general will rather than individual natural rights, and Marx was not an Enlightenment
philosopher influencing the founding.
Correct Answer: B
Q3. In Rousseau's concept of the social contract, legitimate political authority derives
from:
A. Hereditary monarchy sanctioned by divine right
B. The general will of the people [CORRECT]
C. A strong central sovereign preventing civil war
D. Separation of powers among three branches
Rationale: Rousseau argued that sovereignty rests with the people and laws must
reflect the general will. Divine right monarchy contradicts social contract theory, Hobbes
advocated for a strong sovereign, and Montesquieu proposed separation of powers.
Correct Answer: B
Q4. Montesquieu's contribution to American constitutional design was primarily his
argument for:
A. Direct democracy in all legislative matters
B. A unitary executive with unlimited veto power
C. Separation of powers among legislative, executive, and judicial branches [CORRECT]
D. A unicameral legislature based on state equality
Rationale: Montesquieu's "The Spirit of the Laws" advocated dividing government power
among three branches to prevent tyranny, heavily influencing the Constitution's
structure. Direct democracy, unlimited veto power, and unicameralism were not his
theories.
Correct Answer: C
Q5. A colony establishes a representative assembly where elected legislators make
decisions on behalf of the people. This system reflects:
A. Direct democracy
,B. Republicanism [CORRECT]
C. Absolute monarchy
D. Oligarchy
Rationale: Republicanism relies on elected representatives rather than direct citizen
voting on every issue. Direct democracy requires citizens to vote on laws directly, while
absolute monarchy and oligarchy do not involve representative election.
Correct Answer: B
Q6. The concept that government authority originates from the consent of the governed
rather than divine right is central to:
A. Theocracy
B. Social contract theory [CORRECT]
C. Absolute monarchy
D. Feudalism
Rationale: Social contract theory posits that individuals agree to form government and
surrender some freedom in exchange for protection and order. Theocracy derives
authority from religion, absolute monarchy from hereditary divine right, and feudalism
from land tenure obligations.
Correct Answer: B
Q7. The Mayflower Compact (1620) is significant in American political development
because it established:
A. A formal declaration of independence from England
B. A written framework for self-government based on consent [CORRECT]
C. The first bicameral legislature in the colonies
D. A state church with mandatory attendance
Rationale: The Mayflower Compact created a civil body politic based on the consent of
the signers, representing an early colonial example of self-government. It was not a
, declaration of independence, did not create a bicameral legislature, and did not
establish a mandatory state church.
Correct Answer: B
Q8. The English Magna Carta (1215) and English Bill of Rights (1689) influenced
American colonial thought primarily by:
A. Establishing the divine right of kings
B. Limiting monarchical power and guaranteeing certain liberties [CORRECT]
C. Creating a unicameral parliamentary system
D. Abolishing all forms of taxation
Rationale: These English documents established precedents for limited government,
due process, and protected rights that colonists later demanded. They did not establish
divine right, create unicameralism, or abolish taxation.
Correct Answer: B
Q9. A political theorist argues that if government fails to protect natural rights, citizens
have the right to revolution. This view is most closely associated with:
A. Thomas Hobbes
B. John Locke [CORRECT]
C. Edmund Burke
D. Alexander Hamilton
Rationale: Locke asserted that government exists by consent to protect natural rights,
and revolution is justified when government violates this trust. Hobbes opposed
revolution once the sovereign was established, Burke supported gradual reform over
revolution, and Hamilton was a Federalist advocating strong central government.
Correct Answer: B
Q10. Which colonial document first established the principle of representative
self-government in Virginia?
A. Mayflower Compact
