PSCI 352Y Midterm #2

Question 1

what were the two practical problems of the Union

Answer 1

Weak articles of confederation
weak continental congress

Question 2

what were the main limiting factors for the weak continental congress under the articles of confederation

Answer 2

no taxing power
no power to maintain a standing army

Question 3

what event brought to light the weakness of the articles of confederation and why

Answer 3

Shays rebellion demonstrated the weakness of the federal government in protection of the US against threats

Question 4

why is thomas pain not considered a founding father

Answer 4

considered politically radical
not bound to one country
ridiculed for his character and inability to maintain a job

Question 5

why was Thomas Paine considered politically radical (2)

Answer 5

wrote to the common people with immense amounts of anger
had radical ideas considering even slave emancipation and gender equality

Question 6

what are the main tenants of classical republicanism (4)

Answer 6

small territory and small population
social equality and frugality
homogenous population
civil virtue and political talent

Question 7

why was a small territory ideal in classical republicanism

Answer 7

constituants could look representatives in the eye
ease of communication

Question 8

social equality and frugality are tenants of classical republicanism. what is meant by that (3)

Answer 8

there should be a small gap between rich and poor
people should avoid pomp and circumstance (be humble)
the ideal is for a large middle class

Question 9

Within classical republicanism, a homogenous society is preferable. What does a homogenous society entail and why is it preferable?

Answer 9

A society with a shared history, interests, and culture
a homogenous society makes for easier cooperation

Question 10

why is civic virtue and political talent a tenant of classical republicanism

Answer 10

people serve out of a sense of honor and responsibility to their people not out of economic desire
the general public ought to be engaged in politics (the art of debate)

Question 11

what are Madison’s three principles of constitutionality

Answer 11

social contract theory
rule of law and constitutional supremacy
popular sovereignty

Question 12

why does madison favor an indirect democracy over a direct democracy

Answer 12

there are more good representatives in the candidate pool
minorities can have more say

Question 13

what are the three potential functions of a representative according to madison

Answer 13

Mandate or rubber- stamp: instructed delegate in promoting interest of his voters; lobbyists
Truste or honest broker: people elect the honest person to act on his own conscience
safety valve- representatives pursue the interests of the whole country not just a section of it (the public good is only known by the few)

Question 14

who were three prominent federalists that believed representatives ought to act as the safety valve description of a representative?

Answer 14

hamilton, adams, and madison

Question 15

who is accredited with the idea of seperation of powers and checks and balances and what were the three branches

Answer 15

john adams
executive, legislative, judicial

Question 16

what was the core of the argument between hamilton and adams?

Answer 16

which branch should hold more authority
Adams- legislative senate because

Question 17

in the federalist vs federalist argument between Hamilton and Adams, what was hamiltons position?

Answer 17

Hamilton- the executive branch becuase it is an energetic and efficient instrument of power

Question 18

in the federalist vs federalist argument between Hamilton and Adams, what was adams position?

Answer 18

adams- the legislative senate would be more stable and act as an instrument in morality

Question 19

what were the four aspects of the anti federalist thought

Answer 19

embrace of classical republicanism
fear of unitary government under the new constiution
fear of aristocratic representation
not enough checks and balances

Question 20

the federalists were against ratification of the consituition for multiple reasons including the lack of checks and balances. Explain what the anti federalists meant by lack of checks and balances

Answer 20

giving the supreme court tenure would make it the most powerful branch and the potential for judicial review
there is not enough language to remove corruption from office

Question 21

what do the federalists and anti-Federalists agree on

Answer 21

human nature is not always good and there needs to be a machine to protect people from other people

Question 22

what are the reasons madison supported the creation of the bill of rights (2)

Answer 22

necessary to ratify the constitution
bill of rights could keep a potential mob in check

Question 23

what were the four main reasons to ratify the constitution for the federalists

Answer 23

human passions and self interest need to be held in check
belief and defense of the checks and balances system
the constituion would oversee a large and diverse population
the new system would be federal and involve the opinions of the states (not taking away states powers)

Question 24

where do the federalists split from classical repulicanism

Answer 24

the federalists believe in a government that would oversee a large and diverse population (the US is not going to be small and homogenous)
federalists prefer a diverse population to prevent an overbearing majority against a small minority

Question 25

according to the federalists, what did it mean that the new constiution would create a new constiutional repulic that was party federal and partly national

Answer 25

federal government cannot take away states rights that already exist
ratification requires the involvment of states and is therefore a federalist process

Question 26

what were hamiltons beliefs surrounding the federal government and economic policy

Answer 26

Need a strong national government to foster economic well being will enhance the wellbeing of everything

Question 27

who was a famous anti-federalist

Answer 27

Patrick henry

Question 28

according to Madison what was the goal of the political aspect of federalism

Answer 28

Goal: controlling the effects of factions- socio economic groups and classes
The larger the society the more factions and the harder for a faction to gain majority

Question 29

what was at the core of hamiltons domestic policy adivice

Answer 29

promote state capitalism
use the government to create conditions were the free market economy can flourish

Question 30

what were some of Hamiltons proposed government policies

Answer 30

paper currencies
price control (to protect new american industry)
protective tarrifs
taxation
national bank

Question 31

why did the federalists believe in presidential supremacy in foreign affairs

Answer 31

there needs to be swift decisive action

Question 32

why was the election of 1800 an important election

Answer 32

jefferson wins presidential office and Jeffersonians win a majority seat in the house

Question 33

under the ruling of chief justice john marshal, what did Marbury v Madison establish

Answer 33

judicial review

Question 34

under the ruling of chief justice john marshal, what was established by Mucculoch v Maryland

Answer 34

the doctrine of implied powers for the federal government
the supremecy of nation gov over state gov
the constiution ought to be broadly interpreted

Question 35

under the ruling of chief justice john marshal, what does dartmouth college v woodyard established

Answer 35

supremecy of property rights and contract

Question 36

what was jeffersons idea of the continuing majority

Answer 36

the constitution ought to be changed to meet the opinions of the current living majority
having only 9 supreme court justices and giving them tenure is not proper

Question 37

what are jacksons policy goals

Answer 37

expand white male suffrage to all white males
creation of national party election conventions
strengthening of the executive offices

Question 38

what did jackson mean when he lobbied for the strengthening of executive offices

Answer 38

Make the executive more independent of the legislature but more accountable to the people

Question 39

what did voting look like in jacksons time

Answer 39

it was a manly act
it was a public act
strong voter identification with their political party
large floating vote
1st paper ballots and the creation of a party ticket

Question 40

since jacksons time what are the two major differences from then to now

Answer 40

expanded franchisment
the secret ballot

Question 41

what did the 15th ammendment do

Answer 41

lifted race restrictions for voting

Question 42

what did the 19th ammendment do

Answer 42

lifted gender restrictions on voting

Question 43

what did the 26th ammendment do

Answer 43

changed the voting age to 18