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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. In concluding Of the Old and New Systems of Government, what did Paine state was the basis for free governments?
(a) Law, not persons.
(b) Neither law nor persons.
(c) Persons, not law.
(d) Law and persons.

2. As Paine explained in Of Society and Civilization, what has nature given man to ensure the cooperation needed to survive?
(a) A desire to develop the undeveloped.
(b) A desire to create a better way.
(c) Wants that preceed the ability to provide.
(d) Wants that exceed the ability to provide.

3. When was the Articles of Confederation passed?
(a) 1782.
(b) 1783.
(c) 1780.
(d) 1781.

4. What forms of objection were there to the Articles of Confederation?
(a) Pamphlets, but not publications.
(b) Publications, but not pamphlets.
(c) Pamphlets and publications.
(d) Neither pamphlets nor publications.

5. Which alliance did Paine suggest should take place in Ways and Means of Improving the Conditions of Europe?
(a) America, England, and France.
(b) Italy, England, and France.
(c) America, Italy, and France.
(d) America, Italy, and England.

6. How many nations did Paine believe had the right to establish constitutions?
(a) Only a few of them.
(b) Most of them.
(c) All of them.
(d) Several of them.

7. What was it about George Washington, the first American President, that Paine thought put all of the kings to shame?
(a) His courage.
(b) His independence.
(c) His loyalty.
(d) His character.

8. Where was the constitutional convention held?
(a) Washington.
(b) Jamestown.
(c) Philadelphia.
(d) New York.

9. In proportion to the poor, what kind of taxes did Paine think the Peers should have paid?
(a) The same.
(b) Lower.
(c) Much higher.
(d) Slightly higher.

10. In Of Society and Civilization, what point did Paine make about social order?
(a) It did not exist before government, but it would exist if government was abolished.
(b) It would be stronger if government was abolished.
(c) It would be just as strong if government was abolished.
(d) It existed before government and it would exist if government was abolished.

11. What were Paine's thoughts about the idea of nations flourishing on commerce alone?
(a) It should not and could not be done.
(b) It was possible, but should not be done.
(c) It was possible and should be done.
(d) It should only be done in certain nations.

12. How did Paine describe the picture of corporate towns in Ways and Means of Improving the Conditions of Europe?
(a) Decay and oppression.
(b) Decay, chaos and oppression.
(c) Chaos and oppression.
(d) Decay and chaos.

13. Using history to support his opinion, what did Paine find unsurprising about how governments began?
(a) They began in chaos.
(b) They began as murderers.
(c) They began as robbers.
(d) They began in ignorance.

14. Why did Paine think that America was the only place in the world where Independence could be tried?
(a) It was the correct size.
(b) It had the most creative people.
(c) It had the most to gain.
(d) It was free of history.

15. What type of trade did Paine think would destroy war in Ways and Means of Improving the Conditions of Europe?
(a) National.
(b) Universal.
(c) Basic.
(d) Complex.

Short Answer Questions

1. What was Burke's opinion of the Peers that Paine disagreed with in Ways and Means of Improving the Conditions of Europe?

2. What did Paine think should happen to every bill before it was voted on in a representative style of government?

3. What did Paine advocate for business regulations in the British government?

4. How did Paine describe republicanism in Of the Old and New Systems of Government?

5. Announcing the arrival of representative government at the end of Ways and Means of Improving the Conditions of Europe, how did Paine advise that future revolution should be contemplated?

(see the answer keys)

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