American Politics and the US Constitution Flashcards
What is it called when people make an agreement between themselves and the government?
- Balance of power
- Natural rights
- A social contract
- The state of nature
A social contract
In general, a contract is an agreement between two parties. The terms of the agreement between a government and its people are an ongoing negotiation.
According to the social contract theory, what is the origin of society?
- Society is mandated by the will of God.
- Society is a hypothetical state of human existence, useful for developing philosophical arguments.
- Society is the product of human desire and effort.
- Society is a natural expression of human existence.
Society is the product of human desire and effort.
Correct! Social contract theory argues that we create society to meet particular needs we individually possess and share with others.
Which of the following did John Locke view as the most important protection(s) under the social contract?
- Life
- The general will
- Liberty and property
- Security
Liberty and property
Correct. John Locke believed that liberty and property are both natural rights and it is the government’s job to protect them.
Which of these accurately describes John Locke’s view of the state of nature?
- The state of nature creates insecurity among the people.
- The state of nature was a war against all.
- The state of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human beings.
- The state of nature is better than organized society.
The state of nature was peaceful and consisted of rational human beings.
Correct. Even though this was John Locke’s belief, he also argued that life in the state of nature was “inconvenient.”
According to John Locke, how much authority should society have over its citizens under the social contract?
- No authority
- Limited authority
- Total authority
- Locke did not believe in the social contract.
Limited authority
Correct. Locke believed that the social contract should provide a society in which the society has no more power than is necessary to regulate the natural rights and co-existence of its citizens.
Which statement describes characteristics of a social contract? Select the three correct answers.
- A definition of human nature
- A manifestation of the will of God
- A collective expression of a collectively shared interest
- A specification of natural rights
- A definition of human nature
- A collective expression of a collectively shared interest
- A specification of natural rights
Correct. Social contacts reflect who we are, the rights we possess, and the interests we share. Social contracts define us as human.
In what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract? Select the two correct answers.
- The state of nature gives definition to what it means to be human.
- The state of nature offers an ideal in which a social contract should seek to emulate.
- The state of nature is fictional and offers nothing meaningful for constructing a social contract.
- The state of nature gives definition to natural rights.
- The state of nature gives definition to what it means to be human.
- The state of nature gives definition to natural rights.
Correct. Society should be a reflection of what it means to be human, and natural rights must be acknowledged and protected in a social contract.
Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of nature? Select the two correct answers.
- It explains the incentive for working cooperatively with others.
- It provides the basis for a measure of human progress.
- It helps to frame the type of social contract that is needed to make individual life better.
- It provides a utopian goal for society to try and realize.
- It explains the incentive for working cooperatively with others.
- It helps to frame the type of social contract that is needed to make individual life better.
Correct. How bad or good life is in the state of nature will guide the need to cooperate with others, and the subsequent social contract will help overcome the drawbacks experienced in the state of nature.
What is the purpose of a social contract? Select the one correct answer
- To create natural rights
- To realize the will of God
- To acknowledge and protect natural rights
To acknowledge and protect natural rights
Correct. Social contracts are created to acknowledge and protect natural rights.
What is an important weakness of a social contract? Select the one correct answer.
- Social contracts require consensus.
- Social contracts don’t aspire to create a perfect moral order.
- All social contracts eventually fail
- Social contracts are fixed.
Social contracts require consensus.
Correct. Consensus is difficult to obtain in any society, which makes social contracts difficult to implement.
Which statements are true about natural rights? (Choose the two correct answers.)
- They are given by the government and not God.
- They compel the creation of democratic government.
- They impart an equality of being among all people.
- They let you do what you need to survive and be secure.
- They impart an equality of being among all people.
- They let you do what you need to survive and be secure.
Correct! Since all people share the same set of natural rights given by God, they cannot be interfered with by a government.
Which statements are true concerning the state of nature? Select the two correct answers.
- Is a thought experiment upon which a definition of proper society and government are built
- Suggests that human beings are naturally social
- Describes the relationship between human beings and animals.
- Permits a philosophical definition of human nature.
- Is a thought experiment upon which a definition of proper society and government are built
- Permits a philosophical definition of human nature.
Correct. Enlightenment philosophers used the state of nature to define human nature and argued for a proper society and government based on that nature.
What conditions are required for a social contract to work? Select the two correct answers.
- A commitment to toleration
- Consensus among those whom the social contract applies to
- Uniformity of ability and purpose among those who agree to the social contract
- The desire for a utopian society among those who want the social contract
- Consensus among those whom the social contract applies to
- Uniformity of ability and purpose among those who agree to the social contract
Correct. The conditions needed for a social contract to work include consensus among those involved in the social contract and a uniformity of ability and purpose among those who agree to it.
Which of these describes the theory of the social contract? Select the one correct answer.
- Society is not natural, but created by the people.
- Society was created by God.
- The people do not control society, but society controls the people.
- We must accept society as it is since it was naturally created.
- Society is not natural, but created by the people.
Correct. The social contract acknowledges that the people are in relationship with the government and there are obligations the citizens have to a society.
What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with? Select the one correct answer.
- Ordinary Rights and Government Rights
- Direct and Representative Democracies
- Human Nature and Natural Rights
- Nature and God
- Human Nature and Natural Rights
Correct. The social contract recognizes both human nature and natural rights and when constructed, natural rights are a central part because they are too important to our individual lives.
Which natural right was explicitly protected in the Declaration of Independence? Select the one correct answer.
- Property
- Wealth
- Voting
- Liberty
Liberty
Correct. Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence based on the ideas of John Locke who argued that one of our most important natural rights is liberty.
Which Constitutional principle, suggested by Montesquieu, lessens the potential harm of the national government over the people? Select the one correct answer.
- Natural Rights
- A bicameral legislature
- Separation of powers
- Checks and balances
Separation of powers
Correct. By separating the legislative, executive, and judicial power and placing each branch into the control of different political actors this would prevent government tyranny over the people by limiting the harm any one branch of government might do on its own.
Which Constitutional mechanism, suggested by Montesquieu, balances the national government and prevents any one section of government from having sole/complete power? Select the one correct answer.
- Natural rights
- Checks and balances
- Separation of powers
- A bicameral legislature
Checks and balances
Correct. The Constitutional principle of checks and balances is meant to prevent any one branch of government from gaining complete power and control over the government by allowing each branch to monitor and influence what happens in other branches of government.
Which of the following protects Locke’s idea of natural rights and provides Montesquieu’s protections known as due process of law? Select the one correct answer.
- The Constitution
- The Bill of Rights
- The Declaration of Independence
- The Articles of Confederation
The Bill of Rights
Correct. This addition to the Constitution focuses on protecting the liberties or freedoms by protecting such rights as freedom of speech and providing due process of law when citizens must interact with the government over legal matters.
Which was designed with a concern for the tyranny of factional majority?
- The Bill of Rights
- The Constitution
- The Social Contract
- The Declaration of Independence
The Constitution
Correct! The potential for the tyranny of factional majority was a key consideration at the time of the drafting of the Constitution. The framers drew upon Montesquieu’s principles in an effort to offset factions.
What is the Enlightenment? Select the two correct answers.
- Where democratic government is invented.
- The source of our ideas about natural rights.
- A revival of Roman Catholicism.
- A period of Western European history following the Middle Ages.
- The source of our ideas about natural rights.
- A period of Western European history following the Middle Ages.
Correct. The Enlightenment, which took place after the Middle Ages, 1650-1800, occurred mainly in Great Britain, France, and Germany and its philosophy produced the idea of natural rights.
Why does the Enlightenment influence American politics and government? Select the three correct answers.
- The colonists have a long history of self-government, consistent with the Enlightenment’s ideas about government by consent.
- The colonists are attracted to the idea of the divine right of kings.
- Ideas of the Enlightenment frame the colonists’ response to British violations of natural rights.
- Those immigrating to the American colonies are attracted to the Enlightenment’s ideas of liberty and property.
- The colonists have a long history of self-government, consistent with the Enlightenment’s ideas about government by consent.
- Ideas of the Enlightenment frame the colonists’ response to British violations of natural rights.
- Those immigrating to the American colonies are attracted to the Enlightenment’s ideas of liberty and property.
Correct. Those who settled the American colonies were seeking freedom and opportunity, and Locke’s ideas about the consent to be governed and the right to rebellion had a major influence in the establishment of American government. Early Americans were not drawn to the idea of the divine right of kings.
How do conflicting ideas of the Enlightenment influence American government and politics? Select the two correct answers.
- The Constitution sets up a system of government that isn’t favorable to the democratic expression of the popular will.
- The conflict between popular government and the separation of powers creates an ideal balance of interests.
- The conflict among ideas leads to an increasingly undemocratic system of government.
- The protection of private property can interfere with the government’s dealing with important social needs.
- The Constitution sets up a system of government that isn’t favorable to the democratic expression of the popular will.
- The protection of private property can interfere with the government’s dealing with important social needs.
Correct. The separation of powers in the Constitution works to undermine popular democratic input and control, but even when dealing with important social needs, protection of private property limits the government’s actions.
Which ideas are embodied in the Declaration of Independence? Select the two correct answers.
- The purpose of government is to secure justice for all people
- The natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
- The idea that governments are created by people to protect their natural rights
- The ideas of Thomas Hobbes
- The natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
- The idea that governments are created by people to protect their natural rights
Correct. The Declaration specifically mentions life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as well as the idea that people have the right to create or abolish governments if their natural rights are at risk.
In what key ways does the Constitution differ from the Declaration of Independence? Select the two correct answers.
- The Constitution makes justice more important than liberty.
- The Constitution elevates the rights of property.
- The Constitution expands the list of natural rights.
- The Constitution is more concerned with controlling rather than expressing the popular will.
- The Constitution makes justice more important than liberty.
- The Constitution is more concerned with controlling rather than expressing the popular will.
Correct. While the Declaration emphasized liberty and expressing the popular will, the Constitution was designed to control popular will and support justice.
What type of rights are contained in the Bill of Rights? Select the two correct answers.
- The Bill of Rights contains consensus rights.
- The Bill of Rights contains procedural rights.
- The Bill of Rights contains objective rights.
- The Bill of Rights contains natural rights.
- The Bill of Rights contains procedural rights.
- The Bill of Rights contains natural rights.
Correct. The Bill of Rights contains both natural rights and procedural rights.
Select the one correct answer.
The Constitution’s first three articles create separate legislative, executive and judicial branches, is consistent with:
- John Locke’s views about the nature of liberty and how it fits into the social contract
- Montesquieu’s theory for the separation of political power.
- Jean Jacques Rousseau’s belief that those without property would attempt to take it from those who do have it
- The framers’ overall distrust in government
Montesquieu’s theory for the separation of political power.
Correct. Yes, the first three articles divide government power, consistent with Montesquieu’s theory
Select the one correct answer.
The Constitution’s demotion of liberty, and lack of protections for natural rights, suggests the framers were what?
- Fearful the new national government would be subject to insurrection by disgruntled Anti-federalists.
- Worried that expressing certain rights would serve to legitimize the institution of slavery.
- More interested in the practicalities of government.
- Hostile towards the interests of individuals.
More interested in the practicalities of government.
Select the one correct answer.
The Constitution’s demotion of liberty, and lack of protections for natural rights, suggests the framers were what?
- Fearful the new national government would be subject to insurrection by disgruntled Anti-federalists.
- Worried that expressing certain rights would serve to legitimize the institution of slavery.
- More interested in the practicalities of government.
- Hostile towards the interests of individuals.
More interested in the practicalities of government.
Correct! The Framers were interested in creating a national government that worked.
How is the unicameral Congress different from a bicameral Congress? Select the one correct answer.
- A unicameral Congress has one chamber while a bicameral Congress has two.
- A unicameral congress does not have the power to make treaties with foreign countries but a bicameral congress has treaty-making power.
- The unicameral Congress had very limited powers and authority while a bicameral Congress has more power and authority.
- A unicameral Congress is structured to limit states’ power while a bicameral Congress is structured to expand states’ powers.
A unicameral Congress has one chamber while a bicameral Congress has two.
Correct. Under the Articles of Confederation there was a unicameral Congress, which consisted of one chamber known as the Confederation. Today, Congress is bicameral and consists of two chambers – the House of Representatives and the Senate.
What was the basis of representation in Congress under the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- Each state had one vote in the Congress.
- States were given representation based on population.
- States had equal representation in the upper house and representation based on population in the lower house.
- Each state was allowed only two members.
Each state had one vote in the Congress.
Correct. All the states were considered to be equal.
Why were the powers of the national government severely limited under the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- To create a government that would only have the ability to function for a limited amount of time.
- To prevent the states from feeling alienated from the national government.
- To give the national government a layer of protection against the desires of the citizens.
- To prevent the national government from becoming too powerful or abusing the rights of individual citizens and states.
To prevent the national government from becoming too powerful or abusing the rights of individual citizens and states.
Correct. This was a concern when creating the Articles of Confederation as the U.S. government did not want to create a government similar to the oppressive British government they had just declared independence from.
Why was limiting the powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation a major concern? Select the one correct answer.
- It maintained the sovereignty of state governments.
- It guaranteed that the Articles of Confederation would only be a temporary document.
- It did not create an institution to print money.
It maintained the sovereignty of state governments.
Correct. Limiting the powers of the national government meant that the power of the states remained protected and would serve to prevent the national government from becoming too powerful.
Which power did the national government have under the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- To enforce laws
- To manage relationships with Indian tribes
- To have national courts practice judicial review
- To create an army and a navy
To manage relationships with Indian tribes
Correct. The new government was given the power to manage affairs with Indian tribes.
Although the national government had the power to declare war under the Articles of Confederation, how was this specific power limited? Select the one correct answer.
- The national government needed approval from the states in order to declare war.
- There was no President to serve as commander in chief of the national military.
- The national government could not appoint military officials.
- There was no national military from which to draw soldiers.
There was no national military from which to draw soldiers.
Correct. Although the national government had the power to declare war under the Articles of Confederation, there was no national army from which to pull soldiers. The national government had to ask the individual states to send soldiers from their state militias to fight in any war.
Why was the national government given power to regulate trade with the Native Americans under the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- Because Native Americans were not considered citizens of the United States and were treated as foreign nations.
- Because Native American territories were considered states so any boundary disputes had to be settled by the national government.
- Because Native Americans used the national currency, they had to negotiate all trade agreements directly with the national government.
- The national government did not have the power to regulate trade with Native Americans, only state governments had this power.
Because Native Americans were not considered citizens of the United States and were treated as foreign nations.
Correct. Native Americans were not granted citizenship in the United States until the 1920s, so under the Articles of Confederation, they were considered foreign nations.
Which system of government allows states to retain most of their power and authority while delegating few defined powers to the national government? Select the one correct answer.
- A monarchy
- A confederation
- An oligarchy
- A federal system
A confederation
Correct. Under a confederation, the national government derives its power solely through what the states allow it to do.
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Select the two correct answers.
- The Articles created a republican form of government.
- The Articles created a bicameral legislature
- The Articles gave the states too much authority.
- The Articles limited the powers of the national government too much, making it weak and ineffective.
- The Articles gave the states too much authority.
- The Articles limited the powers of the national government too much, making it weak and ineffective.
Correct. In protecting state sovereignty, the states had more power than the national government, which served to weaken the national government and prevent it from making effective decisions that could be enforced.
How did creating a republican form of government in the United States ease the fears of the national government becoming too powerful? Select one correct answer.
- Republican government rested political power in the hands of the people.
- Republican government permitted little authority for the states.
- Republican government gave a majority of the power to the national government.
- Republican government allowed for one political party to control the laws and policies.
Republican government rested political power in the hands of the people.
Correct. A republican form of government gave the power to the people while still allowing the states to have their own elected officials to enforce laws and policies within each state.
Why was it so difficult to change the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- The Articles of Confederation were only an experiment so changing them would ruin the results.
- The Articles of Confederation specifically stated that they were not to be changed.
- The Articles of Confederation required two-thirds of the states to approve changes.
- The Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent by all the states for any changes.
The Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent by all the states for any changes.
Correct: The Articles of Confederation required that 13 out of 13 states approve of any changes. This was a nearly impossible level of agreement to reach.
Which of these are powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? Select one correct answer.
- The power to declare laws passed by other states as invalid
- The power to declare war
- The power to enforce laws
- The power to tax
The power to declare war
Correct. Under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government had the power to declare war with other nations. It did not have the power to tax or to declare states’ laws invalid or enforce their own laws.
Even though the national government had the power to declare war under the Articles of Confederation, why was the power limited and ultimately ineffective? Select the one correct answer.
- Individual states had the power to disagree with the national government and overrule their decision to go to war.
- There was no national army, so the national government had to rely on the individual states to allow their soldiers to participate.
- There was no chief executive who could determine a strategy for fighting wars.
- There was no money to cover the costs of war.
There was no national army, so the national government had to rely on the individual states to allow their soldiers to participate.
Correct. Under the Articles of Confederation, the national government could only request for states to send their soldiers to fight, but states did not have to honor that request.
Why did the United States have currency problems under the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- The new government could not create a currency.
- There was no paper currency.
- The new government could not borrow money.
- The new government had to rely on states to provide funds for backing a currency and paying back loans.
The new government had to rely on states to provide funds for backing a currency and paying back loans.
Correct. The government could only request contributions from the states, and the states frequently did not provide funds.
Why was the inability to regulate trade among the states a weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- It prevented lower priced international goods from being sold in the United States.
- It allowed foreign nations to undermine the national government by encouraging the individual states to declare independence and become their own countries.
- The inability to regulate trade among the states was not weakness of the national government under the Articles of Confederation.
- It allowed the states to make their own agreements with countries without the national government knowing.
It allowed the states to make their own agreements with countries without the national government knowing.
Correct. Because the national government had no authority to regulate trade, countries would make agreements directly with the states without informing the national government.
Why were foreign governments reluctant to loan money to the United States during the time of the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- Foreign governments were not reluctant to loan money to the United States and embraced forming monetary agreements with the national government.
- Foreign governments feared the perception of “taxation without representation.”
- Foreign governments feared that they would be attacked by the British government for loaning money to the United States after the American Revolution.
- Since the national government lacked the ability to tax its citizens, foreign governments feared that the national government would not be able to repay the loans.
- Since the national government lacked the ability to tax its citizens, foreign governments feared that the national government would not be able to repay the loans.
Correct. Due to the inability to tax its citizens, the national government had no money to pay any potential loans and they had no way to back up the value of its currency which increasingly became worthless.
What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- Congress could not establish departments within the institution.
- Only the states could sign treaties.
- Congress could not enlist men for a national army.
- Congress could not declare war without the approval of the state governments.
Congress could not enlist men for a national army.
Correct. The national government had to rely on the states for military personnel.
Why did the Articles of Confederation provide for such a weak national government? Select the one correct answer.
- The colonists/citizens of the United States were afraid of a strong central government.
- The writers of the Articles wanted a government as strong as Britain.
- The country was destitute after winning the American Revolution.
- Foreign powers provided money for those opposing a strong national government so the new country would be weak.
The colonists/citizens of the United States were afraid of a strong central government.
Correct. The experience of the colonies with a strong government under Parliament and King George III led them to fear a strong national government.
What was one reason why it was necessary to replace the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer.
- Countries refused to trade with the new country since the government was so weak.
- The states did not have enough power.
- The United States lacked the military forces to defend the new country.
- The national government was so strong that it threatened the rights of citizens.
The United States lacked the military forces to defend the new country.
Correct. The United States was unable to create a national army to defend the country.
What powers did the national government have under the Articles of Confederation? Select the three correct answers.
- The power to declare laws passed by other states as invalid
- The power to settle disputes among different states
- The power to declare war
- The power to borrow and coin money
- The power to settle disputes among different states
- The power to declare war
- The power to borrow and coin money
Correct: The national government under the Articles of Confederation was able to borrow money from other nations and print money on behalf of the United States, declare war with other nations, and act as a mediator between disputing states.
After the Articles of Confederation went into effect, how was the British government able to continue impacting what would happen in the United States? Select the three correct answers.
- The British government did not seek to interact with the United States government after it gained independence.
- The British government could refuse to accept the currency of the United States as a means to pay off any lingering debts.
- The British government was able to form individual relationships with the states.
- The British government was able to put pressure on the states through its occupation of land west of the United States.
- The British government could refuse to accept the currency of the United States as a means to pay off any lingering debts.
- The British government was able to form individual relationships with the states.
- The British government was able to put pressure on the states through its occupation of land west of the United States.
Correct. The British government was able to form individual relationships with the states, pressure states by occupying in the land west of the United States, and deem its currency as valueless.
Ultimately, why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Select the three correct answers.
- It harmed the international reputation of the United States.
- It gave too much power to the national government and not enough power to the states.
- It weakened the economy of the United States.
- It weakened the powers of the national government too much.
- It harmed the international reputation of the United States.
- It weakened the economy of the United States.
- It weakened the powers of the national government too much.
Correct. The Articles ultimately failed because, with only five specific powers, everything else was left to the states, leaving the government underfunded and without a strong national army. The United States was also viewed as weak by other powers.
The power to draft soldiers under the Articles of Confederation required the national government to do which of the following? Select the two correct answers.
- Ask each state to send troops any time they wanted to engage in war
- Create a system of sharing troops with the individual states
- Appoint senior officials
- Set entry requirements of the national army
- Ask each state to send troops any time they wanted to engage in war
- Appoint senior officials
Correct. The national government was given the power to appoint senior military officials; however, there was no national military in which they could serve. Each state had its own militia. Every time the national government needed soldiers, it had to request that each state send troops.
How did the inability to regulate trade among the states prove to be a weakness for the United States? Select the three correct answers.
- Many local farmers and business owners could not survive in the economy under the Articles of Confederation.
- Too many officials became caught up in trade regulation and didn’t fulfill their assigned duties.
- The inability to regulate trade allowed the states to make their own agreements with other countries without the national government’s knowing.
- The national government had no power to regulate the price of goods.
- Many local farmers and business owners could not survive in the economy under the Articles of Confederation.
- The inability to regulate trade allowed the states to make their own agreements with other countries without the national government’s knowing.
- The national government had no power to regulate the price of goods.
Correct. Because the national government had no authority to regulate trade, countries would make agreements directly with the states without the national government’s knowledge. Also, imported goods became cheaper than local and small business could not stay afloat.
Why was the inability of the national government to tax a weakness of the Articles of Confederation? Select the three correct answers.
- People who used other countries’ currency instead of U.S. currency began to feel less “American.”
- The currency of the United States became worthless.
- Foreign countries did not want to lend or trade with the national government.
- Being unable to tax often left the national government underfunded.
- The currency of the United States became worthless.
- Foreign countries did not want to lend or trade with the national government.
- Being unable to tax often left the national government underfunded.
- Correct. The national government had to request money from the states, who often failed to send money to the government, leading to underfunding. In turn, foreign countries discredited U. S. currency and refused trade, and the value of U. S. currency dropped.
During the Constitutional Convention, how did the Virginia Plan differ from the New Jersey Plan? Select the one correct answer.
- The Virginia Plan wanted a legislature in which states received representation in proportion to the size of their population, while the New Jersey plan wanted a legislature that gave each state equal representation, regardless of the size of its population.
- The Virginia Plan wanted a unicameral legislature, while the New Jersey Plan wanted a bicameral legislature.
- The New Jersey Plan wanted a legislature in which states received representation in proportion to the size of their population, while the Virginia plan wanted a legislature that gave each state equal representation, regardless of the size of its population.
- The New Jersey Plan wanted to abolish slavery, while the Virginia Plan wanted to keep it.
The Virginia Plan wanted a legislature in which states received representation in proportion to the size of their population, while the New Jersey plan wanted a legislature that gave each state equal representation, regardless of the size of its population.
Correct. The Virginia Plan provided for greater representation, but only for some states, while the New Jersey Plan provided for equal representation for all states.
The New Jersey Plan
A unicameral legislature.
A legislature that gave each state one vote regardless of the size of their population.
Smaller states would be given the same amount of power as larger states in the national legislature.
The Virginia Plan
A legislature in which states receive representation based on their population.
Larger states would have more power than smaller states in the national legislature.
A bicameral legislature.
What best describes the differences between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans in the role of federal and state sovereignty? Select the three correct answers.
- The Virginia and New Jersey Plans only differed in their ideas for appropriate representation in the national legislature; they agreed on the ideas of appropriate federal and state sovereignty.
- The Virginia Plan advocated for more powers for the central government.
- Supporters of the New Jersey Plan believed that the states were best suited to represent the needs of the citizens while supporters of the Virginia Plan believed that effective representation could happen at the national level.
- Supporters of the New Jersey Plan advocated for states to retain power over the national government while supporters of the Virginia Plan wanted the national government to legislate for the states and even veto laws passed by state legislatures.
- The Virginia Plan advocated for more powers for the central government.
- Supporters of the New Jersey Plan believed that the states were best suited to represent the needs of the citizens while supporters of the Virginia Plan believed that effective representation could happen at the national level.
- Supporters of the New Jersey Plan advocated for states to retain power over the national government while supporters of the Virginia Plan wanted the national government to legislate for the states and even veto laws passed by state legislatures.
Correct. The Virginia Plan advocated for a strong national government with the power to legislate for states and veto their laws, and supporters believed in effective national representation. In contrast, supporters of the New Jersey Plan were afraid of a strong national government, believed that states were a better place to address citizens’ needs, and wanted the states to retain power over the national government.