Question 1

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson reiterated John Locke's theory of social contract that ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  the power of the king was supreme, as he was born with a God-given right to rule over society 
B)  whenever government fails in its duty to secure rights, the people have the right to "alter" or "abolish" it 
C)  The King and Parliament were the provider of rights to the colonial citizens 
D)  citizens are naturally born into an unequal state 
E)  Parliament rightly held veto power over the Continental Congress 
A)  the power of the king was supreme, as he was born with a God-given right to rule over society 
B)  whenever government fails in its duty to secure rights, the people have the right to "alter" or "abolish" it 
C)  The King and Parliament were the provider of rights to the colonial citizens 
D)  citizens are naturally born into an unequal state 
E)  Parliament rightly held veto power over the Continental Congress

Question 2

Describe the theory of separation of powers and how the Constitution achieves this principle. Explain how each of the institutions plays a role in the process. Upon review of the Constitutional design, does any one institution appear the strongest or weakest branch of government? Explain why.

Accepted Answer

The theory of separation of powers is a

Question 3

The most effective complaint raised by the Anti-Federalists against the proposed Constitution in 1788 was _______.

Accepted Answer

A)  the inability of the states to tax the federal government 
B)  its lack of state power to raise an army 
C)  its lack of a bill of rights to protect individuals against abuses by the government 
D)  the creation of the office of president 
E)  the retention of too much power at the state level 
A)  the inability of the states to tax the federal government 
B)  its lack of state power to raise an army 
C)  its lack of a bill of rights to protect individuals against abuses by the government 
D)  the creation of the office of president 
E)  the retention of too much power at the state level

Question 4

What has been the most common method used to amend the U.S. Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  a three-fifths vote in both chambers of Congress 
B)  simple majority of the voters of the United States 
C)  approval from two-thirds of the state legislatures and the signature of the president 
D)  voter approval and the ruling of the Supreme Court on its constitutionality 
E)  two-thirds vote of both chambers of Congress, then ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures 
A)  a three-fifths vote in both chambers of Congress 
B)  simple majority of the voters of the United States 
C)  approval from two-thirds of the state legislatures and the signature of the president 
D)  voter approval and the ruling of the Supreme Court on its constitutionality 
E)  two-thirds vote of both chambers of Congress, then ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures

Question 5

The underlying concept of the principle of separation of powers is that ___________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  all three branches of government are equally powerful 
B)  when legislative, judicial, and executive power are not exercised by the same institution, power cannot be so easily abused 
C)  the people are responsible to elect the representatives in all three branches of government, including the judicial branch 
D)  one branch has a veto power over the other branches 
E)  the people's power to elect representatives is separate and different from that of the branches of the government 
A)  all three branches of government are equally powerful 
B)  when legislative, judicial, and executive power are not exercised by the same institution, power cannot be so easily abused 
C)  the people are responsible to elect the representatives in all three branches of government, including the judicial branch 
D)  one branch has a veto power over the other branches 
E)  the people's power to elect representatives is separate and different from that of the branches of the government

Question 6

What was the significance of Shays's Rebellion in Massachusetts in early 1787?

Accepted Answer

A)  The federal government should not have an arsenal. 
B)  The Revolutionary War did not end all hostile actions in the new colonies. 
C)  Daniel Shays was a powerful military leader who was well organized. 
D)  A weak and unresponsive federal government carried with it the danger of violence and disorder. 
E)  Whiskey would prove problematic for the new nation. 
A)  The federal government should not have an arsenal. 
B)  The Revolutionary War did not end all hostile actions in the new colonies. 
C)  Daniel Shays was a powerful military leader who was well organized. 
D)  A weak and unresponsive federal government carried with it the danger of violence and disorder. 
E)  Whiskey would prove problematic for the new nation.

Question 7

What is the difference between enumerated and implied powers? How do these different concepts of political power impact the balance of power within the federal system of governance? Provide some examples.

Accepted Answer

Enumerated powers are specific powers gr

Question 8

Compare and contrast the rhetoric of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist movements. Who made up the body of each group? What did they think about the proposed Constitution? What were some of the primary arguments on each side?

Accepted Answer

The Federalist and Anti-Federalist movem

Question 9

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances​. This document ______.

Accepted Answer

A)  ​established the United States of America as a sovereign and independent country 
B)  ​acknowledged colonial allegiance to the Crown 
C)  ​declared independence of the colonies from England 
D)  ​expressed support of the Declaratory Act 
E)  ​appointed colonial representatives to the English House of Commons 
A)  ​established the United States of America as a sovereign and independent country 
B)  ​acknowledged colonial allegiance to the Crown 
C)  ​declared independence of the colonies from England 
D)  ​expressed support of the Declaratory Act 
E)  ​appointed colonial representatives to the English House of Commons

Question 10

A very important aspect of the American constitutional arrangement, which distributes powers between two levels of government (state and federal), is called ________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  sovereignty 
B)  enumeration 
C)  ratification 
D)  compromise 
E)  federalism 
A)  sovereignty 
B)  enumeration 
C)  ratification 
D)  compromise 
E)  federalism

Question 11

Americans, especially legal scholars, view the U.S. Constitution in different ways. Discuss the differences between the theories of strict constructionism versus the living constitution.

Accepted Answer

Strict constructionism and the living co

Question 12

In the years immediately preceding the American Revolution and the creation of our Constitution, the king and the Parliament of England ______________.

Accepted Answer

A)  had never considered the possibility of revolutionary fervor in the colonies 
B)  feared that the colonies would attempt to overthrow their governments and had the resources and the capability to do so 
C)  feared that other European powers would attempt to encroach on their American holdings far more than they feared any form of colonial uprising 
D)  entered into agreements with other European powers to share the resources of their colonial holdings in exchange for shared protection 
E)  actually sought to sell the colonies 
A)  had never considered the possibility of revolutionary fervor in the colonies 
B)  feared that the colonies would attempt to overthrow their governments and had the resources and the capability to do so 
C)  feared that other European powers would attempt to encroach on their American holdings far more than they feared any form of colonial uprising 
D)  entered into agreements with other European powers to share the resources of their colonial holdings in exchange for shared protection 
E)  actually sought to sell the colonies

Question 13

According to the authors, the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention were united by which of the following concerns?

Accepted Answer

A)  Foreign trade had suffered as a consequence of poor relations with other countries. 
B)  The economic radicalism of Shays's Rebellion might spread in the absence of a stronger central government. 
C)  The national government had been ill-equipped to provide citizens with protection from Native Americans. 
D)  The national government was powerless to address the postwar economic depression. 
E)  All of these choices are correct. 
A)  Foreign trade had suffered as a consequence of poor relations with other countries. 
B)  The economic radicalism of Shays's Rebellion might spread in the absence of a stronger central government. 
C)  The national government had been ill-equipped to provide citizens with protection from Native Americans. 
D)  The national government was powerless to address the postwar economic depression. 
E)  All of these choices are correct.

Question 14

The Sugar Act and the Stamp Act were passed by Parliament for the specific purpose of raising money in the colonies for the Crown. However, their political significance was that they _________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  created sugar as a vital staple of all colonists by making it much less expensive for the average household 
B)  opened the debate by the colonists on the issue of taxation without representation 
C)  emphasized the fact that the colonies were sovereign and independent of England 
D)  unified England's alliances with sugar-producing Caribbean island colonies 
E)  created a trade alliance between the American colonies and the Caribbean nations that also produced and exported sugar 
A)  created sugar as a vital staple of all colonists by making it much less expensive for the average household 
B)  opened the debate by the colonists on the issue of taxation without representation 
C)  emphasized the fact that the colonies were sovereign and independent of England 
D)  unified England's alliances with sugar-producing Caribbean island colonies 
E)  created a trade alliance between the American colonies and the Caribbean nations that also produced and exported sugar

Question 15

The First Continental Congress​ ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  ​did not advocate outright independence from England 
B)  ​encouraged the colonial militias to arm themselves 
C)  was formed ​in protest to the series of legislation passed by Parliament 
D)  began to collect and store weapons 
E)  ​All of these choices are correct. 
A)  ​did not advocate outright independence from England 
B)  ​encouraged the colonial militias to arm themselves 
C)  was formed ​in protest to the series of legislation passed by Parliament 
D)  began to collect and store weapons 
E)  ​All of these choices are correct.

Question 16

The Declaration of Independence lists examples of "inalienable rights" as _____________.

Accepted Answer

A)  the right of all persons to vote 
B)  life and due process 
C)  freedom from the rule of kings 
D)  life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 
E)  democracy and peace 
A)  the right of all persons to vote 
B)  life and due process 
C)  freedom from the rule of kings 
D)  life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness 
E)  democracy and peace

Question 17

Which of the following statements is not true?

Accepted Answer

A)  Federalism divides powers between two levels of government: the state (that deals with local concerns) and the federal government (that deals with national concerns). 
B)  The Framers of the Constitution drafted the Constitution to expand the powers of the national government from what they had been under the Articles of Confederation. 
C)  The Constitution is the result of compromise between competing interests. 
D)  The final draft of the new constitution was the product of all 13 states participating in the Philadelphia Convention. 
E)  Some of the Framers believed that the Constitution should be flexible to meet the varying challenges time would create. 
A)  Federalism divides powers between two levels of government: the state (that deals with local concerns) and the federal government (that deals with national concerns). 
B)  The Framers of the Constitution drafted the Constitution to expand the powers of the national government from what they had been under the Articles of Confederation. 
C)  The Constitution is the result of compromise between competing interests. 
D)  The final draft of the new constitution was the product of all 13 states participating in the Philadelphia Convention. 
E)  Some of the Framers believed that the Constitution should be flexible to meet the varying challenges time would create.

Question 18

Hamilton expressed the view that the executive must be a single person in order to realize "energy," which "is a leading character of good government." Analyze the experience of the United States under the Articles of Confederation, as compared to the experience of the United States under the current Constitution, to show whether or not events supported Hamilton's position.

Accepted Answer

The experience of the United States unde

Question 19

Concerning slavery, the new U.S. Constitution _____________________.

Accepted Answer

A)  allowed it in southern states but outlawed it in northern states 
B)  has an entire article dealing with the maintenance and regulation of the institution 
C)  upheld it as an important and legitimate institution in the United States 
D)  said nothing about either preserving or outlawing slavery 
E)  called for its abolition throughout the United States 
A)  allowed it in southern states but outlawed it in northern states 
B)  has an entire article dealing with the maintenance and regulation of the institution 
C)  upheld it as an important and legitimate institution in the United States 
D)  said nothing about either preserving or outlawing slavery 
E)  called for its abolition throughout the United States

Question 20

​By the time Congress called for the Annapolis Convention in 1786, it had become clear that which of the following was a problem under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

A)  ​Congress lacked the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, making it difficult to obtain commercial concessions from other nations. 
B)  ​Quarrels among states disrupted interstate commerce and travel. 
C)  ​Changing the articles of Confederation required a unanimous agreement of the states. 
D)  ​All of these choices are correct. 
E)  ​None of these choices are correct. 
A)  ​Congress lacked the power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce, making it difficult to obtain commercial concessions from other nations. 
B)  ​Quarrels among states disrupted interstate commerce and travel. 
C)  ​Changing the articles of Confederation required a unanimous agreement of the states. 
D)  ​All of these choices are correct. 
E)  ​None of these choices are correct.

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson reiterated John Locke's theory of social contract that ______.

Describe the theory of separation of powers and how the Constitution achieves this principle. Explain how each of the institutions plays a role in the process. Upon review of the Constitutional design, does any one institution appear the strongest or weakest branch of government? Explain why.

The most effective complaint raised by the Anti-Federalists against the proposed Constitution in 1788 was _______.

What has been the most common method used to amend the U.S. Constitution?

The underlying concept of the principle of separation of powers is that ___________________.

What was the significance of Shays's Rebellion in Massachusetts in early 1787?

What is the difference between enumerated and implied powers? How do these different concepts of political power impact the balance of power within the federal system of governance? Provide some examples.

Compare and contrast the rhetoric of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist movements. Who made up the body of each group? What did they think about the proposed Constitution? What were some of the primary arguments on each side?

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. This document ______.

A very important aspect of the American constitutional arrangement, which distributes powers between two levels of government (state and federal), is called ________________.

Americans, especially legal scholars, view the U.S. Constitution in different ways. Discuss the differences between the theories of strict constructionism versus the living constitution.

In the years immediately preceding the American Revolution and the creation of our Constitution, the king and the Parliament of England ______________.

According to the authors, the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention were united by which of the following concerns?

The Sugar Act and the Stamp Act were passed by Parliament for the specific purpose of raising money in the colonies for the Crown. However, their political significance was that they _________________.

The First Continental Congress ________.

The Declaration of Independence lists examples of "inalienable rights" as _____________.

Which of the following statements is not true?

Concerning slavery, the new U.S. Constitution _____________________.

By the time Congress called for the Annapolis Convention in 1786, it had become clear that which of the following was a problem under the Articles of Confederation?

The More Things Changethe More They Stay the Same

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights, Equality and Social Movements

Congress

The Presidency

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Public Opinion

Interest Groups

The Media and American Politics

Political Parties and Voting

Campaigns and Elections

American Domestic Policy

American Foreign Policy

Filters

Exam 2: The Founding and the Constitution

In the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson reiterated John Locke's theory of social contract that ______.

Describe the theory of separation of powers and how the Constitution achieves this principle. Explain how each of the institutions plays a role in the process. Upon review of the Constitutional design, does any one institution appear the strongest or weakest branch of government? Explain why.

The most effective complaint raised by the Anti-Federalists against the proposed Constitution in 1788 was _______.

What has been the most common method used to amend the U.S. Constitution?

The underlying concept of the principle of separation of powers is that ___________________.

What was the significance of Shays's Rebellion in Massachusetts in early 1787?

What is the difference between enumerated and implied powers? How do these different concepts of political power impact the balance of power within the federal system of governance? Provide some examples.

Compare and contrast the rhetoric of the Federalist and Anti-Federalist movements. Who made up the body of each group? What did they think about the proposed Constitution? What were some of the primary arguments on each side?

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances​. This document ______.

A very important aspect of the American constitutional arrangement, which distributes powers between two levels of government (state and federal), is called ________________.

Americans, especially legal scholars, view the U.S. Constitution in different ways. Discuss the differences between the theories of strict constructionism versus the living constitution.

In the years immediately preceding the American Revolution and the creation of our Constitution, the king and the Parliament of England ______________.

According to the authors, the delegates at the Philadelphia Convention were united by which of the following concerns?

The Sugar Act and the Stamp Act were passed by Parliament for the specific purpose of raising money in the colonies for the Crown. However, their political significance was that they _________________.

The First Continental Congress​ ________.

The Declaration of Independence lists examples of "inalienable rights" as _____________.

Which of the following statements is not true?

Concerning slavery, the new U.S. Constitution _____________________.

​By the time Congress called for the Annapolis Convention in 1786, it had become clear that which of the following was a problem under the Articles of Confederation?

The More Things Changethe More They Stay the Same

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights, Equality and Social Movements

Congress

The Presidency

The Federal Bureaucracy

The Judiciary

Public Opinion

Interest Groups

The Media and American Politics

Political Parties and Voting

Campaigns and Elections

American Domestic Policy

American Foreign Policy

Filters

In 1765, the Stamp Act Congress prepared the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. This document ______.

The First Continental Congress ________.

By the time Congress called for the Annapolis Convention in 1786, it had become clear that which of the following was a problem under the Articles of Confederation?