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gu2 Flashcards

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1
Q
  1. Which of the following concepts guided both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?
    a. Exclusionary rule
    b. Limited government
    c. Checks and balances
    d. State supremacy
    e. Direct democracy
A

b

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2
Q
  1. Compared to government under the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution
    I- can more easily be amended
    II- created a federal republic
    III- called for separation of powers among three branches of government
    IV- created a league of friendship among the states
     a. I only
 b. I and III only
 c. II and IV only
 d. I, II, and III only I, II, III, and IV
A

b

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3
Q
  1. The Constitution, as originally ratified, addressed all of the following weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation EXCEPT the
    a. lack of a chief executive office
    b. national government’s inability to levy taxes effectively
    c. absence of a central authority to regulate interstate trade
    d. insufficiency of the government’s power to raise an army
    e. a clause which guaranteed the right to vote
A

e

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4
Q

Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union

A

a governing document that created a union of thirteen sovereign states in which the states, not the union, were supreme.

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5
Q

unicameral

A

a one-house legislature.

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6
Q

Shays’ Rebellion

A

a popular uprising against the government of Massachusetts.

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7
Q

Notable absent from the Articles of Confederation was an ability to compel _______________ which left the military woefully unfunded

A

tax

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8
Q

Amending the Articles of Confederation required ________________ agreement by all states–this required the framers to scrap the Articles and write an entirely new document called the Constitution

A

unanimous

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9
Q

Rather than a more democratic allocation of political power, the Congress under the Articles gave _______ vote to each state.

A

1

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10
Q
  1. In the early part of the twenty-first century, public opinion polls showed that a majority of Americans believed it should be illegal to burn the American flag. As a result, many members of Congress introduced amendments to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag. However, these efforts have been unsuccessful. Which of the following statements best explains why these efforts have been unsuccessful?a. Congress and the states have agreed to add this amendment; however, recent presidents have refused to sign it.
    b. The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights.
    c. The Supreme Court has stated such an amendment is unconstitutional, thus blocking its ratification. The Supreme Court has stated such an amendment is unconstitutional, thus blocking its ratification.
    d. The framers specifically wrote the amendment process to prevent using it to limit freedom of expression.
A

a

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11
Q
  1. Throughout most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, most African Americans were prevented from voting in many Southern states despite the Fifteenth Amendment, which extended the right to vote to African American males. Southern states were able to take this action because
    a. the Fifteenth Amendment did not apply to all states the Fifteenth Amendment did not apply to all states
    b. Congress passed legislation that restricted the application of the Fifteenth Amendment to placate Southerners
    c. the framers allowed the individual states to create voting processes and voter qualifications
    d. the Supreme Court had declared the Fifteenth Amendment unconstitutional
A

c

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12
Q
  1. All of the following are reasons that smaller states have more political power than larger states EXCEPT:
    a. more attention for their issues in the media
    b. equal representation in the Senate to larger states.
    c. greater weight in the Electoral College
    d. each state has one vote in the House of Representatives if no candidate receives an Electoral College majority.
    e. many Senator from smaller states do not face strong challengers in bid for reelection and therefore, by returning session after session
A

a

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13
Q

Constitutional Convention

A

a meeting attended by state delegates in 1787 to fix the Articles of Confederation.

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14
Q

writ of habeas corpus

A

the right of people detained by the government to know the charges against them.

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15
Q

bills of attainder

A

: when the legislature declares someone guilty without a trial.

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16
Q

ex post facto laws

A

laws punishing people for acts that were not crimes at the time they were committed.

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17
Q

Virginia Plan

A

a plan of government calling for a three-branch government with a bicameral legislature, where more populous states would have more representation in Congress.

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18
Q

New Jersey Plan

A

a plan of government that provided for a unicameral legislature with equal votes for each states.

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19
Q

bicameral

A

a two-house legislature.

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20
Q

Great (Connecticut) Compromise

A

an agreement for a plan of government that drew upon both the Virginia and New Jersey Plans; it settled issues of state representation by calling for a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives apportioned proportionately and a Senate apportioned equally.

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21
Q

Three-Fifths Compromise

A

an agreement reached by delegates at the Constitutional Convention that a slave would count as three-fifths of a person in calculating a state’s representation.

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22
Q

It was a proposal that would weaken the power of states and strengthen the power of national majority. _______________

A

Virginia Plan

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23
Q

Each state would be given equal representation in the _______________ according to the Great Compromise

A

Senate

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24
Q

Since the present was not a feature of the Articles of Confederation, there was no person or office to ______________ the laws passed by Congress.

A

execute/enforce/enact

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25
Q

The States have the power to select the President through the ______________________

A

Electoral college

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26
Q

Amending the Articles required every state; Amending the Constitution requires the ratification of the legislatures of _________ of the states

A

3/4ths

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27
Q

To protect from unjust laws, the framers of the Constitution believed that the judiciary would have the power of ______________

A

Judicial Review

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28
Q
  1. What is the primary role of the judiciary in the context of the separation of powers?a. Enforcing laws and implementing policies
    b. Creating new laws and regulations
    c. Interpreting and applying the law impartially
    Proposing amendments to the Constitution
A

c

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29
Q
  1. What term is used to describe the specific powers granted to the United States Congress by the Constitution, outlining its authority to legislate on particular matters?a. Implied powers
    b. Reserved powers
    c. Enumerated powers
    d. Executive powers
A

c

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30
Q
  1. What is the primary responsibility of the President of the United States in their role as the Chief Executive?a. Crafting and passing legislation
    b. Providing policy leadership to the heads of the major departments like the Department of Defense, Department of State, and Department of the Treasury
    c. Serving as the head of state for ceremonial functions
    Representing the country in foreign affairs and diplomacy
A

b

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31
Q

separation of powers

A

a design of government that distributes powers across institutions in order to avoid making one branch too powerful on its own.

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32
Q

checks and balances

A

a design of government in which each branch has powers that can prevent the other branches from making policy.
federalism: the sharing of power between the national government and the states.

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33
Q

legislative branch

A

the institution responsible for making laws.
expressed or enumerated powers: authority specifically granted to a branch of the government in the Constitution.

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34
Q

necessary and proper or elastic clause

A

language in Article I, Section 8 granting Congress the powers necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

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35
Q

implied powers:

A

authority of the federal government that goes beyond its expressed powers.

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36
Q

executive branch

A

the institution responsible for carrying out laws passed by the legislative branch.

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37
Q

judicial branch

A

the institution responsible for hearing and deciding cases through the federal courts.

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38
Q

supremacy clause:

A

constitutional provision declaring that the Constitution and all federal laws and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

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39
Q

The Congress is composed of ____________ and the _____________.

A

house; senate

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40
Q

The Commerce Clause is an example of an _______________________ power

A

enumerated

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41
Q

Implied powers can be found in the _________________________ clause

A

elastic

42
Q

The States have the power to select the President through the

A

electoral college

43
Q

Amending the Articles required every state; Amending the Constitution requires the ratification of the legislatures of _________ of the states

A

3/4ths

44
Q

To protect from unjust laws, the framers of the Constitution believed that the judiciary would have the power of ______________

A

judicial review

45
Q
  1. In The Federalist 10, James Madison argued that the new constitution would help control faction by doing which of the following?
    a. By creating a large republic, the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to completely dominate.
    b. The new constitution had significant limits on the freedom of expression, thereby limiting the ability of factions to organize.
    c. The new constitution gave political parties specific powers in the government which limited their influence.
    The use of the electoral college and the indirect election of senators would limit the influence that factions could wield.
A

a

46
Q
  1. Brutus was an example of an Anti-Federalist because he
    a. believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights
    b. argued that a national military force was needed to deal with insurrections
    c. argued that the laws passed by the national government were supreme over state laws
    d. believed that compromise between the branches of government would ensure a limited government
A

a

47
Q
  1. In the Federalist Papers, James Madison expressed the view that political factions in a republic are:
    a. A more serious threat if the republic is large
    b. natural but controllable by institutions
    c. not likely to occur if people are honest
    d. prevented by majority rule
    prevented by free elections
A

b

48
Q

Federalists

A

supporters of the proposed Constitution, who called for a strong national government.

49
Q

Antifederalists

A

those opposed to the proposed Constitution, who favored stronger state governments.

50
Q

Federalist Papers

A

a series of eighty-five essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay and published between 1787 and 1788 that lay out the theory behind the Constitution.

51
Q

Federalist No. 51

A

an essay in which Madison argues that separation of powers and federalism will prevent tyranny.

52
Q

faction

A

a group of self-interested people who use the government to get what they want, trampling the rights of others in the process.

53
Q

Federalist No. 10

A

an essay in which Madison argues that the dangers of faction can be mitigated by a large republic and republican government.

54
Q

Brutus No. 1

A

an Antifederalist Paper arguing that the country was too large to be governed as a republic and that the Constitution gave too much power to the national government.

55
Q

In Federalist #10, Madison primarily warned against the desires and action of _______________

A

factions

56
Q

In Federalist #10, Madison says that the dangers of factions can be mitigated. The U.S. Constitution achieves this mitigation effectively. What is one feature of the U.S. Constitution that mitigates the dangers of factions?

A

it’s large/republican

57
Q

To Robert Yates in Brutus I, the primary danger to the rights of the people could be found in the Constitution concentration of power in ___________

A

a central government

58
Q

In Federalist #51, Madison argues that the concentration of power in the central government will not become abusive because of safeguards in the Constitution. One safeguard is ___________

A

checks and balances; seperation of powers; division of the congress

59
Q
  1. In The Federalist 10, James Madison argued that the new constitution would help control faction by doing which of the following?
    a. By creating a large republic, the new constitution made it less likely that a faction could gain enough power to completely dominate.
    b. The new constitution had significant limits on the freedom of expression, thereby limiting the ability of factions to organize.
    c. The new constitution gave political parties specific powers in the government which limited their influence.
    d. The use of the electoral college and the indirect election of senators would limit the influence that factions could wield.
A

a

60
Q
  1. Brutus was an example of an Anti-Federalist because he
    a. believed a centralized government posed a major threat to individual rights
    b. argued that a national military force was needed to deal with insurrections
    c. argued that the laws passed by the national government were supreme over state laws
    d. believed that compromise between the branches of government would ensure a limited government
A

a

61
Q
  1. In the Federalist Papers, James Madison expressed the view that political factions in a republic are:
    a. A more serious threat if the republic is large
    b. natural but controllable by institutions
    c. not likely to occur if people are honest
    d. prevented by majority rule
    e. prevented by free elections
A

b

62
Q

1) What system of government divides authority between the national government and state governments?
a) Unitary system
b) Confederal system
c) Federal system
d) Centralized system

A

c

63
Q

2) Which of the following is an example of a confederal system as mentioned in the text?
a) The United States under the Constitution
b) The United Kingdom
c) Switzerland
d) The United States under the Articles of Confederation

A

d

64
Q

3) What term is used for powers granted to the national government in the Constitution, such as the power to coin money and declare war?
a) Implied powers
b) Shared powers
c) Enumerated powers
d) Devolved powers

A

c

65
Q

unitary system

A

a system where the central government has all of the power over subnational governments.

66
Q

confederal system

A

a system where the subnational governments have most of the power.

67
Q

federal system

A

a system where power is divided between the national and state governments.

68
Q

enumerated or expressed powers

A

powers explicitly granted to the national government through the Constitution.

69
Q

exclusive powers

A

powers only the national government may exercise.

70
Q

implied powers

A

powers not granted specifically to the national government but considered necessary to carry out the enumerated powers.

71
Q

necessary and proper clause

A

grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers. Also called the elastic clause.

72
Q

reserved powers:

A

powers not given to the national government, which are retained by the states and the people.

73
Q

“Under the Necessary and Proper Clause, Congress can make laws to carry out its enumerated powers, even if those powers are not explicitly stated in the Constitution. This clause is also known as the _______________

A

elastic clause

74
Q

1) What is the primary purpose of the Tenth Amendment?
a. To assign all powers to the federal government
b. To ensure that states have no authority over their own affairs
c. To protect states’ reserved powers not explicitly assigned to the federal government
d. To limit the power of state governments in favor of the federal government

A

c

75
Q

2) According to the supremacy clause, what is the status of federal laws in relation to state laws?
a. Federal laws have no authority over state laws
b. State laws take precedence over federal laws
c. Federal laws are the supreme law of the land and must be followed by states
d. States have the final say about which federal laws apply within their borders

A

c

76
Q

3) In the case of McCulloch v. Maryland, Chief Justice John Marshall argued that Congress could charter a national bank because:
a. The Constitution explicitly authorized it
b. The bank was necessary for regulating state banks
c. The necessary and proper clause granted Congress the authority to establish means appropriate for fulfilling constitutional ends
d. The states had requested the establishment of a national bank

A

c

77
Q

4) Which constitutional clause grants Congress the authority to legislate as necessary for carrying out its constitutionally granted powers, including the establishment of a national bank?
a. The commerce clause
b. The taxing and spending clause
c. The necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)
d. The supremacy clause

A

c

78
Q

5) What is the primary power granted to Congress by the commerce clause?
a. The power to define productive activities as commerce
b. The power to regulate all forms of commercial activity
c. The power to regulate commerce only with foreign nations
d. The power to regulate commerce among the several states and with Indian tribes

A

d

79
Q

6) What does the 14th Amendment primarily prohibit the states from doing?
a. Denying citizens access to state benefits
b. Denying citizens the rights granted by the Constitution
c. Denying citizens the right to vote
d. Denying citizens the right to own property

A

b

80
Q

7) Which phrase from the 14th Amendment has been used to advocate for changes in state laws and provide federal protections against state discrimination?
a. “Due process of law”
b. “Rights to which they are entitled”
c. “Equal protection of the laws”
d. “Ratification in 1868”

A

c

81
Q

8) The decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) reflected new ideas about federalism at the time that can be best characterized by which of the following?
a. A consolidation of power in the national government based on national supremacy
b. A delegation of power from the federal government to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty
c. A delegation of power from the state governments to the federal government, increasing the power of the United States government
d. An increase in cooperative federalism, where power and duties are shared between the federal and state governments

A

b

82
Q

9) The decision in United States v. Lopez (1995) reflected new ideas about federalism at the time that can be best characterized by which of the following?
a. A consolidation of power in the national government based on national supremacy
b. A delegation of power from the federal government to state governments, increasing state and local sovereignty
c. A delegation of power from the state governments to the federal government, increasing the power of the United States government
d. An increase in cooperative federalism, where power and duties are shared between the federal and state governments

A

b

83
Q

10) Which of the following is a key concept of federalism?
a. Federalism is based on a unitary form of government,
b. State constitutions may override the national constitution in certain matters.
c. The line between national and state powers is often unclear and flexible.
d. In the federal system, state governments cannot exercise any powers other than those delegated to them in the U.S. Constitution.

A

c

84
Q

Tenth Amendment

A

reserves powers not delegated to the national government to the states and the people; the basis of federalism.

85
Q

reserved powers

A

powers not given to the national government, which are retained by the states and the people.

86
Q

implied powers

A

powers not granted specifically to the national government but considered necessary to carry out the enumerated powers.

87
Q

necessary and proper clause

A

grants the federal government the authority to pass laws required to carry out its enumerated powers. Also called the elastic clause.

88
Q

commerce clause

A

grants Congress the authority to regulate interstate business and commercial activity.

89
Q

McCulloch v. Maryland

A

landmark Supreme Court case in 1819 that established the supremacy of federal law over state law and affirmed the doctrine of implied powers, allowing Congress to take actions not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution if they are necessary and proper to fulfill its enumerated powers. Chief Justice John Marshall’s decision in this case emphasized a strong federal government and its authority to create institutions like a national bank.

90
Q

Gibbons v. Ogden

A

ivotal Supreme Court case in 1824 that broadly defined the scope of interstate commerce, granting Congress significant regulatory authority over a wide range of commercial activities. The case reaffirmed the federal government’s supremacy in regulating commerce among the states and expanded the interpretation of the Commerce Clause in the United States Constitution.

91
Q

13th Amendment

A

ratified in 1865, abolished slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States.

92
Q

14th Amendment:

A

ratified in 1868, guarantees equal protection of the laws and prohibits the states from denying citizens the rights granted by the Constitution, due process of law, or equal protection

93
Q

15th Amendment

A

ratified in 1870, prohibits the denial of voting rights to U.S. citizens based on their race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

94
Q
  1. Which of the following forms of financial aid from the national government gives the states the broadest discretion in the spending of money?
    a. Categorical grants-in-aid
    b. Foreign aid
    c. Unfunded mandates
    d. Block grants
A

d

95
Q
  1. Which of the following is a consequence of having concurrent powers within a federal system of government?
    a. The executive branch can expand its control of the policy agenda.
    b. States can pass laws that override the laws of the federal government.
    c. Citizens and interest groups seeking policy change can choose from multiple access points.
    Members of Congress can cultivate close relationships with power brokers in their regions.
A

c

96
Q

dual federalism

A

a form of American federalism in which the states and the national government operate independently in their own areas of public policy.

97
Q

cooperative federalism

A

a form of American federalism in which the states and the national government work together to shape public policy.

98
Q

The state prefer _____________ grants

A

block

99
Q

The type of aid with the most “ropes attached” is __________________

A

categorical grants

100
Q

The event in history that resulted in the greatest change in the relationships between state and federal government.

A

New Deal

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