Question 1

Which of the following was NOT a source of significant conflict at the Constitutional Convention?

Accepted Answer

A)  whether to throw out or amend the Declaration of Independence 
B)  how much power to give to the legislative branch 
C)  how to represent small and large states in the new government 
D)  what to do about slavery 
E)  how much power to give to the executive branch 
A)  whether to throw out or amend the Declaration of Independence 
B)  how much power to give to the legislative branch 
C)  how to represent small and large states in the new government 
D)  what to do about slavery 
E)  how much power to give to the executive branch A

Question 2

The idea of reserved powers is found in which amendment?

Accepted Answer

A)  First 
B)  Fourth 
C)  Tenth 
D)  Seventeenth 
E)  Nineteenth 
A)  First 
B)  Fourth 
C)  Tenth 
D)  Seventeenth 
E)  Nineteenth C

Question 3

Describe how the separation of powers system uses checks and balances to limit the power of the federal government. What are the major powers that each branch has and how can each branch check the others? Is the system effective?

Accepted Answer

The separation of powers system in the United States uses checks and balances to limit the power of the federal government by dividing power among three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. Each branch has its own distinct powers and can check the powers of the other branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

The legislative branch, consisting of the Congress, has the power to make laws, declare war, and approve or reject presidential appointments and treaties. It can check the executive branch by overriding a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority, impeaching and removing the president or other executive officials, and controlling the budget and funding for government agencies.

The executive branch, headed by the president, has the power to enforce laws, command the military, make treaties, and appoint federal judges and officials. It can check the legislative branch by vetoing legislation, calling special sessions of Congress, and issuing executive orders. The executive branch can also check the judicial branch by appointing federal judges and granting pardons.

The judicial branch, led by the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, has the power to interpret laws, resolve disputes, and determine the constitutionality of laws and government actions. It can check the legislative and executive branches by declaring laws or actions unconstitutional through judicial review.

The system of checks and balances is designed to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful and to ensure that each branch operates within its constitutional limits. However, the effectiveness of the system is a matter of debate. Some argue that the system has been effective in preventing the concentration of power and protecting individual rights, while others believe that it has led to gridlock and the inability to address critical issues. Overall, the system of checks and balances has played a crucial role in shaping the American government and its ability to manage the distribution of power.

Question 4

The Supreme Court gained the power of judicial review after the decision in Marbury v. Madison.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

Which of the following was NOT a tactic used by the Federalists to refute Antifederalist claims during the ratification debate?

Accepted Answer

A)  They pointed out that Antifederalists had no plan of their own. 
B)  They engaged in a one-sided propaganda campaign. 
C)  They agreed to support a Bill of Rights in the new Congress. 
D)  They agreed to public debates with the Antifederalists. 
E)  They gained the upper hand in the debate by claiming the term "federalist." 
A)  They pointed out that Antifederalists had no plan of their own. 
B)  They engaged in a one-sided propaganda campaign. 
C)  They agreed to support a Bill of Rights in the new Congress. 
D)  They agreed to public debates with the Antifederalists. 
E)  They gained the upper hand in the debate by claiming the term "federalist."

Question 6

What different divisions existed at the Constitutional Convention? How did the differences between them shape the Constitution? Give at least three specific examples to support your answer.

Accepted Answer

The Constitutional Convention had severa

Question 7

A form of government in which the leader is chosen by the legislature is called:

Accepted Answer

A)  a separation of powers system. 
B)  a presidential system. 
C)  a legislative system. 
D)  a parliamentary system. 
E)  a democratic system. 
A)  a separation of powers system. 
B)  a presidential system. 
C)  a legislative system. 
D)  a parliamentary system. 
E)  a democratic system.

Question 8

The Bill of Rights is a list of limits on the control that the federal government has over state governments.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

A separation of powers system creates different branches of government with completely independent realms of power.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Which of the following events exposed discontent with the new government and led to the Annapolis Convention?

Accepted Answer

A)  Shays's Rebellion 
B)  the publication of Common Sense 
C)  the Revolutionary War 
D)  the Declaration of Independence 
E)  Washington's election as president 
A)  Shays's Rebellion 
B)  the publication of Common Sense 
C)  the Revolutionary War 
D)  the Declaration of Independence 
E)  Washington's election as president

Question 11

Why did the New Jersey Plan contain a proposal for a legislature with equal representation per state?

Accepted Answer

A)  New Jersey prospered economically under the Articles of Confederation, which had such a system. 
B)  New Jersey had relatively little population and would therefore gain more representation under an equal system. 
C)  New Jersey was a slave state and the Three-Fifths Compromise was going to strip it of representation. 
D)  New Jersey had negotiated a separate treaty with the British that it wanted the new Congress to ratify. 
E)  Antifederalists controlled the New Jersey legislature and they favored equal representation per state. 
A)  New Jersey prospered economically under the Articles of Confederation, which had such a system. 
B)  New Jersey had relatively little population and would therefore gain more representation under an equal system. 
C)  New Jersey was a slave state and the Three-Fifths Compromise was going to strip it of representation. 
D)  New Jersey had negotiated a separate treaty with the British that it wanted the new Congress to ratify. 
E)  Antifederalists controlled the New Jersey legislature and they favored equal representation per state.

Question 12

Those colonists who remained supportive of the British monarchy during the Revolutionary War were called:

Accepted Answer

A)  Tories. 
B)  Republicans. 
C)  Monarchists. 
D)  Whigs. 
E)  Democrats. 
A)  Tories. 
B)  Republicans. 
C)  Monarchists. 
D)  Whigs. 
E)  Democrats.

Question 13

Which of the following was NOT a principal concern the Antifederalists had about the Constitution prior to ratification?

Accepted Answer

A)  the transfer of state powers to the national government 
B)  the lack of civil liberty guarantees 
C)  the role of the president 
D)  the bicameral legislature 
E)  the national government would become tyrannical 
A)  the transfer of state powers to the national government 
B)  the lack of civil liberty guarantees 
C)  the role of the president 
D)  the bicameral legislature 
E)  the national government would become tyrannical

Question 14

Which of the following was true about the Antifederalists?

Accepted Answer

A)  They generally favored relatively strong state governments. 
B)  They came primarily from southern states. 
C)  They supported the British Crown during the Revolutionary War. 
D)  They wanted a stronger national government, even if it came at the expense of state power. 
E)  They generally favored relatively weak state governments. 
A)  They generally favored relatively strong state governments. 
B)  They came primarily from southern states. 
C)  They supported the British Crown during the Revolutionary War. 
D)  They wanted a stronger national government, even if it came at the expense of state power. 
E)  They generally favored relatively weak state governments.

Question 15

The reason the Constitution did not outlaw slavery was because the framers did not object to the practice.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

How did the framers design the Constitution to protect minority rights?

Accepted Answer

A)  separation of powers and checks and balances 
B)  allowing majority tyranny to occur to protect the rights of the many 
C)  through the creation of political parties 
D)  through the creation of interest groups 
E)  through a system of direct democracy 
A)  separation of powers and checks and balances 
B)  allowing majority tyranny to occur to protect the rights of the many 
C)  through the creation of political parties 
D)  through the creation of interest groups 
E)  through a system of direct democracy

Question 17

Modern-day interest groups such as the National Rifle Association and Emily's List are examples of what concept?

Accepted Answer

A)  factions 
B)  self-rule 
C)  natural law 
D)  Antifederalism 
E)  republicanism 
A)  factions 
B)  self-rule 
C)  natural law 
D)  Antifederalism 
E)  republicanism

Question 18

The authors of the Federalist Papers included:

Accepted Answer

A)  James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Jay. 
B)  John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton. 
C)  Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Thomas Jefferson. 
D)  Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. 
E)  James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay. 
A)  James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Jay. 
B)  John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton. 
C)  Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Thomas Jefferson. 
D)  Alexander Hamilton, George Washington, and Thomas Jefferson. 
E)  James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay.

Question 19

The Three-Fifths Compromise referred to:

Accepted Answer

A)  giving states with small populations three-fifths of the number of representatives as large-population states. 
B)  allowing three slave states into the Union for every five nonslave states allowed to enter. 
C)  counting large states as equal to small states in the Senate but not the House. 
D)  counting slaves as three-fifths of a person when determining state population. 
E)  the requirement that three-fifths of the states must approve a constitutional amendment. 
A)  giving states with small populations three-fifths of the number of representatives as large-population states. 
B)  allowing three slave states into the Union for every five nonslave states allowed to enter. 
C)  counting large states as equal to small states in the Senate but not the House. 
D)  counting slaves as three-fifths of a person when determining state population. 
E)  the requirement that three-fifths of the states must approve a constitutional amendment.

Question 20

Who had executive power under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

A)  a president 
B)  the legislature 
C)  a tribunal of executives 
D)  the court system 
E)  the army 
A)  a president 
B)  the legislature 
C)  a tribunal of executives 
D)  the court system 
E)  the army

Which of the following was NOT a source of significant conflict at the Constitutional Convention?

The idea of reserved powers is found in which amendment?

Describe how the separation of powers system uses checks and balances to limit the power of the federal government. What are the major powers that each branch has and how can each branch check the others? Is the system effective?

The Supreme Court gained the power of judicial review after the decision in Marbury v. Madison.

Which of the following was NOT a tactic used by the Federalists to refute Antifederalist claims during the ratification debate?

What different divisions existed at the Constitutional Convention? How did the differences between them shape the Constitution? Give at least three specific examples to support your answer.

A form of government in which the leader is chosen by the legislature is called:

The Bill of Rights is a list of limits on the control that the federal government has over state governments.

A separation of powers system creates different branches of government with completely independent realms of power.

Which of the following events exposed discontent with the new government and led to the Annapolis Convention?

Why did the New Jersey Plan contain a proposal for a legislature with equal representation per state?

Those colonists who remained supportive of the British monarchy during the Revolutionary War were called:

Which of the following was NOT a principal concern the Antifederalists had about the Constitution prior to ratification?

Which of the following was true about the Antifederalists?

The reason the Constitution did not outlaw slavery was because the framers did not object to the practice.

How did the framers design the Constitution to protect minority rights?

Modern-day interest groups such as the National Rifle Association and Emily's List are examples of what concept?

The authors of the Federalist Papers included:

The Three-Fifths Compromise referred to:

Who had executive power under the Articles of Confederation?

Understanding American Politics

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

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Interest Groups

Congress

The Presidency

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The Courts

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Exam 2: The Constitution and the Founding

Which of the following was NOT a source of significant conflict at the Constitutional Convention?

The idea of reserved powers is found in which amendment?

Describe how the separation of powers system uses checks and balances to limit the power of the federal government. What are the major powers that each branch has and how can each branch check the others? Is the system effective?

The Supreme Court gained the power of judicial review after the decision in Marbury v. Madison.

Which of the following was NOT a tactic used by the Federalists to refute Antifederalist claims during the ratification debate?

What different divisions existed at the Constitutional Convention? How did the differences between them shape the Constitution? Give at least three specific examples to support your answer.

A form of government in which the leader is chosen by the legislature is called:

The Bill of Rights is a list of limits on the control that the federal government has over state governments.

A separation of powers system creates different branches of government with completely independent realms of power.

Which of the following events exposed discontent with the new government and led to the Annapolis Convention?

Why did the New Jersey Plan contain a proposal for a legislature with equal representation per state?

Those colonists who remained supportive of the British monarchy during the Revolutionary War were called:

Which of the following was NOT a principal concern the Antifederalists had about the Constitution prior to ratification?

Which of the following was true about the Antifederalists?

The reason the Constitution did not outlaw slavery was because the framers did not object to the practice.

How did the framers design the Constitution to protect minority rights?

Modern-day interest groups such as the National Rifle Association and Emily's List are examples of what concept?

The authors of the Federalist Papers included:

The Three-Fifths Compromise referred to:

Who had executive power under the Articles of Confederation?

Understanding American Politics

Federalism

Civil Liberties

Civil Rights

Public Opinion

The Media

Political Parties

Elections

Interest Groups

Congress

The Presidency

The Bureaucracy

The Courts

Economic Policy

Social Policy

Foreign Policy

Filters