Constitutional Democracy

Question 1

Federalist No. 10 (Madison)

Answer 1

argues that the development of factions in inevitable in society

Question 2

Factions

Answer 2

small groups with the same interests fighting for control of the government

Question 3

Federalism

Answer 3

dividing powers equally between the national and state governments

Question 4

Federalist No. 51 (Madison)

Answer 4

justifies the need for a separation of powers and checks and balances in the national government

Question 5

Federalist No. 51 Reasoning

Answer 5

separation of powers would limit the possibility of tyranny in the national government

Question 6

Federalist No. 71 (Hamilton)

Answer 6

discusses the presidency and outlines what the presidency should look like

Question 7

Federalist No. 7 Reasoning

Answer 7

the executive branch is characterized by unity, power, and a degree of secrecy - more easily accomplished by one person rather than three

Question 8

Federalist No. 78 (Either Hamilton or Madison)

Answer 8

discusses the potential power of the U.S. Supreme Court - judicial review

Question 9

Judicial Review

Answer 9

the power of the Supreme Court to declare laws from congress and acts from the president to be unconstitutional - reviews the constitutionality of acts of the government

Question 10

Federalist No. 7 Reasoning

Answer 10

judicial review is important because congress controls how much money is spent in the government, and the executive branch controls the military

Question 11

Brutus No. 1 (Robert Yates)

Answer 11

argues against the ratification of the U.S. constitution; felt that a strong national government would be the enemy of freedom

Question 12

Brutus No. 1 Proposed Solution

Answer 12

the inclusion of a bill of rights that would protect individuals’ rights and freedoms from government interference

Question 13

Constitution

Answer 13

sets up the structure of government and a nation’s basic laws

Question 14

Preamble

Answer 14

the first paragraph of the constitution

Question 15

Seven Articles of the Constitution

Answer 15

the large sections that outline the structure of the government

Question 16

27 Amendments

Answer 16

changes to the constitution since its ratification

Question 17

Article I

Answer 17

creates a congress that is split into two parts and lists its powers and qualifications for office; legislative branch

Question 18

Article II

Answer 18

establishes a president and vice president and lists the powers and qualifications for office; executive branch

Question 19

Article III

Answer 19

lists the types of cases the court may hear and outlines the crime of treason; judicial branch

Question 20

Article IV

Answer 20

relations between the different states; outlines the process for creating new states and dictates that every state should grant a republican form of government

Question 21

Article V

Answer 21

outlines the process for adding new amendments to the U.S. constitution; two different methods for amendments

Question 22

Article VI

Answer 22

the constitution, laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land; forbids religious tests for office and states that the U.S. is responsible for debts accrued under the articles of confederation

Question 23

Article VII

Answer 23

outlines the requirement for ratifying the constitution; requires nine (9) of thirteen (13) states

Question 24

Checks and Balances

Answer 24

branches of government are given specific powers that may limit the powers of the other two branches

Question 25

Purposes of the Executive Branch

Answer 25

• enforces laws
• commander-in-chief of armed forces
• proposes laws
• appoints supreme court justices and federal judges
• pardons those convicted in federal court

Question 26

Purposes of the Legislative Branch

Answer 26

• passes federal laws
• controls federal appropriations
• approves treaties and presidential appointments
• regulates interstate commerce
• establishes lower court systems

Question 27

Purposes of the Judicial Branch

Answer 27

• reviews lower court systems
• decides constitutionality of laws
• decides cases involving disputes between states

Question 28

Executive over Legislative

Answer 28

• veto acts of congress
• call congress into a special session
• interprets laws passed by congress
• vice president can cast a tie-breaking vote in the senate

Question 29

Legislative over Judicial

Answer 29

• change size of the federal court
• propose constitutional amendments
• reject supreme court nominees
• impeach and remove federal judges

Question 30

Legislative over Executive

Answer 30

• override presidential veto
• impeach and remove the president
• reject the president’s appointments and refuse to make treaties
• conduct investigations into the president’s actions
• refuse to pass laws or provide funding for the president

Question 31

Executive over Judicial

Answer 31

• nominates supreme court justices
• nominates federal judges
• pardon those convicted in federal court
• refuse to enforce court decisions

Question 32

Judicial over Executive

Answer 32

• declare executive actions unconstitutional
• power to issue warrants
• chief justice presides over impeachment of president