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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. Which event did Paine refer to in Of the Origin of the Present Old Governments as he discussed the formation of the English government?
(a) The Italian Wars.
(b) The Norman Conquest.
(c) The Hundred Years' War.
(d) The English Civil War.

3. Which one of the following was not included in Paine's description of how America was prospering in Of Society and Civilization?
(a) The taxes were low.
(b) The poor were not oppressed.
(c) The industry was extensive.
(d) The rich were not privileged.

4. What did Paine urge the people of Europe to believe in?
(a) Their ability to govern themselves.
(b) Their understanding of laws.
(c) Their understanding of civilization.
(d) Their ability to organize themselves.

5. How did Paine refer to tax revenue in the European governments?
(a) Very little of it was being wasted.
(b) So much of it was being wasted.
(c) None of it was being wasted.
(d) Not enough of it was being generated.

Short Answer Questions

1. In Paine's opinion, what did the power of the Peers represent?

2. What two things did Paine think were at the root of old governments in Of the Old and New Systems of Government?

3. Who did Paine emphasize was the rightful owner of the Constitution?

4. What were the new principles of government that Paine wrote about in Of the Old and New Systems of Government?

5. How did Paine describe America in Part Two of Rights of Man?

Short Essay Questions

1. Which countries did Paine think should have a constitution and what would make it work for them?

2. Which two functions did Paine divide governments into in Of Constitutions?

3. How was the Constitution passed and what concerns did people have about it at the time?

4. What was the purpose of Congress' original meetings in 1774 and 1775, and what effect did the Declaration of Independence have on America?

5. What was Paine's opinion of George Washington?

6. Based on the information provided in Of Constitutions, how did the American Constitution avoid the same mistakes made by the monarchical governments?

7. What did Paine write about the origins of government in Chapter 2?

8. What was Paine's definition of Constitution in Of Constitutions?

9. What description of early America did Paine provide in order to prove how a society could maintain itself without government?

10. How much time had passed between Part One and Part Two of Rights of Man, and how did Burke respond to Part One?

(see the answer keys)

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