American Politics and the US Constitution - C963

Question 1

What did the Great Compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan that was finalized in the Constitution establish?

Answer 1

A two-chamber Congress

Question 2

What were the results of the three-fifths compromise?

Answer 2

It allowed slave states to count three-fifths of their enslaved population for the purpose of representation.

Question 3

What was a Federalist argument in support of the ratification of the Constitution?

Answer 3

A strong national government is better for national defense and economic growth.

Question 4

Which concepts were James Madison referencing when he stated, “Ambition must be made to counteract ambition” in Federalist, no. 51?

Answer 4

Separation of powers and checks and balances

Question 5

What is an example of a congressional allocation that would influence the national budget to help a member of congress’s district or state?

Answer 5

Funds for the building of an airport in a congressperson’s district

Question 6

Why is the House Rules Committee one of the most powerful committees in the U.S. House of Representatives?

Answer 6

It determines the rules for debate and in what order to schedule consideration of bills in the House.

Question 7

Which constitutional amendment allows states to reserve powers not explicitly granted to the national government?

Answer 7

The Tenth Amendment

Question 8

What did the Supreme Court’s ruling in Gibbons v. Ogden establish?

Answer 8

A loose constructionist interpretation of the commerce clause

Question 9

How do most states award votes in the Electoral College?

Answer 9

The candidate who wins the popular vote in the state gets all the electoral votes for the state.

Question 10

Which amendment provided for the separate election of the president and vice president?

Answer 10

The Twelfth Amendment

Question 11

What is a characteristic of an open primary system?

Answer 11

Voters registered with any political party are allowed to vote for candidates in any party during the primary.

Question 12

Who can vote for a United States representative?

Answer 12

Any voter in the representative’s congressional district

Question 13

What is the definition of inside lobbying?

Answer 13

An attempt to sway government decision-making targeted directly at government officials

Question 14

What was determined in U.S. v. Windsor and Obergefell v. Hodges?

Answer 14

They declared DOMA unconstitutional and legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.

Question 15

How do Super PACs operate?

Answer 15

They cannot give money directly to individual candidates.

Question 16

What is one common method of influence used by interest groups?

Answer 16

They target members of congressional committees that have special influence on relevant legislative areas.

Question 17

In which case did the Supreme Court establish that spending on political campaigns constituted political speech that is protected by the First Amendment?

Answer 17

Buckley v. Valeo

Question 18

What was the impact of the Supreme Court’s decision in Plessy v. Ferguson?

Answer 18

It allowed states to use literacy tests to determine eligibility to vote.

Question 19

Which constitutional amendment guarantees the right of a public trial and representation by an attorney?

Answer 19

Sixth Amendment

Question 20

What is the focus of multiple amendments in the Bill of Rights?

Answer 20

The rights of criminal defendants

Question 21

Why was the Supreme Court’s ruling in Brandenburg v. Ohio significant for freedom of speech?

Answer 21

It extended federal protection for abstract discussions of violence and overthrow of the government.

Question 22

What describes the effect of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby Stores?

Answer 22

Businesses do not have to provide employees access to birth control if it violates the business owner’s religious beliefs.

Question 23

What describes the Supreme Court’s ruling in Texas v. Johnson?

Answer 23

Flag burning is constitutionally protected political speech.

Question 24

What was required by states under the 1993 National Voter Registration Act?

Answer 24

It required states to allow citizens to register to vote when they sign up for driver’s licenses.

Question 25

What does the U.S. Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Fifth Amendment’s right to due process mean for citizens?

Answer 25

The government must use consistent and fair procedures if it wants to limit a citizen’s rights or seize private property.

Question 26

What is an appropriate characterization of media agenda setting?

Answer 26

Agenda setting determines which events deserve public attention.

Question 27

What is closely associated with a citizen being less likely to vote?

Answer 27

Having a lower income job

Question 28

What is one method used by Southern states to restrict African American voting during the early 1960s?

Answer 28

Literacy tests

Question 29

How does the 14th Amendment affect the powers of the federal judiciary?

Answer 29

It expanded the judiciary’s power over states that applied laws unfairly.

Question 30

Which constitutional amendment established term limits for the president?

Answer 30

The Twenty-Second Amendment

Question 31

What was the purpose of creating the Federal Election Commission in the 1970s?

Answer 31

To ensure transparency in campaign financing

Question 32

How are individuals nominated to the Supreme Court?

Answer 32

They are chosen by the president of the United States

Question 33

What describes the importance of the Supreme Court decision in Marbury v. Madison?

Answer 33

It established the principle of judicial review.

Question 34

Which statement best describes “executive privilege”?

Answer 34

Correct: A president may withhold confidential communication from the courts and the legislative branch.

A president may exercise any power because of the checks and balances provision by the other branches of government.

When a president successfully asserts a power without impeachment, that power becomes assigned to the executive branch.

A president may expand power and authority through the use of the cabinet, which is not restricted or limited by the Constitution.