Florida Civic Literacy Practice Exam

Which document is correctly paired with its core theme?

1. Declaration of Independence - Formed a state-centered government

2. Magna Carta - Established the principle of rule of law

3. U.S. Constitution - Formed a unitary government

4. Articles of Confederation - Established the principle of consent of the governed

The correct answer is: Magna Carta - Established the principle of rule of law

The Magna Carta is aptly paired with its core theme of establishing the principle of the rule of law. This foundational document, signed in 1215, marked a significant shift in the way governance was perceived. It asserted that the monarch's authority was not absolute and that even the king was subject to the law. This principle laid the groundwork for modern legal systems by emphasizing that laws apply to everyone and that justice should be administered fairly, thus limiting arbitrary power. In contrast, the other options do not accurately reflect the themes associated with those documents. The Declaration of Independence primarily centers on the colonists’ grievances against British rule and their right to self-governance rather than focusing on a state-centered government. The U.S. Constitution does not create a unitary government; rather, it establishes a federal system that divides powers between national and state governments. Lastly, while the Articles of Confederation did emphasize the idea of consent, its primary focus was on a loose alliance of sovereign states, which ultimately proved ineffective in uniting the states under a strong central authority.