Test 1

Question 1

What does Smith argue about the emphasis on Liberalism (Lockean) as the main American political principle? Put another way, how does Smith criticize Tocqueville’s, Hartz’s and other’s over-emphasis on the role of liberalism in American political culture? (pg. 37 to the top of pg. 38)

Answer 1

Smith argues that Liberalism was one of the most important principles in shaping America’s political culture and development. Smith argues that these writers have over emphasized how truly liberal and equal American politics have been to parts of our society. He argues that for the most part of US history we have been unequal to women and to racially different groups or minorities like the Africans or Natives. In reality for a long time the only ones who truly benefited from the Liberalism concept was the few white men usually European descendant.

Question 2

What do scholars such as Tocqueville or Hartz argue about the role of liberalism (Lockean) in American political culture and as the basis for American political principles? (see pages 36-37)

Answer 2

The scholars argue that since the founding of this nation the American political culture and the American political principles have always been truly democratic and equal to all and that the enlightenment ideals that helped found this nation has prevailed. US serves as the perfect example of a truly democratic and liberal nation.

Question 3

Briefly discuss 2 of the 4 ways Smith sees the Multiple-Traditions approach differing from Tocqueville’s approach. (pg. 40)

Answer 3

One of them has been that the concepts of liberalism and republicanism in the past contained elements that have threatened the rights and freedom of women and blacks and secondly how these concepts shaped beliefs for example that blacks should or should not be full citizens.

Question 4

Why does Smith argue the Multiple-Traditions Thesis is a better way of understanding the contemporary American politics? (bottom of pg. 38-39)

Answer 4

For two reasons: First, he believes if we better understand how inadequate certain accounts of our political culture are we might rebuild our political systems eliminating racial, ethnic, and gender inequalities. Secondly, he warns of the political implications that might start to rise when people start realizing that America has never been truly liberal, and that changes have only come after struggles and that those changes are not lasting.

Question 5

What is Smith’s Multiple-Traditions Thesis? What are the 3 traditions he discusses? (see second paragraph pg. 38 and bottom of pg. 39)

Answer 5

Smith’s Multiple Tradition Thesis looks at how we all share a common culture, but reality is that we all tend to over look how complex and contradictory it is. Smith’s 3 traditions are liberalism, republicanism and ascriptive forms of Americanism.

Question 6

Drawing on your second E-text on the Constitution what was the relationship like between Britain and the Colonies in the decades leading up to the Revolution? What actions on the part of George III of Britain angered the colonists and why?

Answer 6

In the decades leading up to the Revolution the British passed many acts and taxes that increased the anger of the colonies. Some of these were the taxation of sugar, wine, coffee, and other products. Some acts were: The Stamp Act, the Mutiny Quartering Act that forced colony civilians to house British soldiers, and the Townshend Act. Perhaps the biggest trigger of the Revolution was the Boston Tea Party, because of it King George passed the Intolerable Acts which allowed British soldiers to blockade the Boston Harbor. Enraged the colonies set up a meeting in the Continental Congress to discuss representation for the colonies, and along other proposals but King George denied their proposal and sent 20,000 British troops. This angered the Colonists because all they were trying to do was to restore peace by coming to a mutual contract that would give them some say on taxation etc.

Question 7

Name 3 complaints about Britain (George III) and its relationship with the colonies that the Declaration of Independence discusses.

Answer 7

Three complaints are: For imposing taxes on us without our consent, For depriving us in many cases of the benefit of Trial by Jury, For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world

Question 8

How is the legislative branch different under the Constitution than it was under the Articles of the Confederation? (i.e. how many “houses”?)

Answer 8

In the Articles of the Confederation there was one house Congress, it had a unicameral system. The constitution established a bicameral Congress, which divided Congress into two houses a Senate and a House of Representatives.

Question 9

Was there an executive branch under the Articles of the Confederation? If not, why?

Answer 9

There was not an executive branch under the Articles of the Confederation, mainly because a President or central power did not exist. A national government did not exist, states practically passed their own laws and had full power.

Question 10

What was the difference in the amendment process between the Articles of the Confederation and the Constitution? (i.e. how could the Articles of Confederation be changed/ amended and how could the Constitution be changed/ amended?)

Answer 10

The Articles of Confederation could only be changed on all the states agreed, making things rather difficult. The Constitution however, can be amended if out of all the states 3/4 of them agree

Question 11

Under the Articles of the Confederation who had the power to coin money (federal/central government, states or both?) Under the Constitution who has the power to coin money (federal/central government, states, or both)?

Answer 11

In the Articles of the Confederation both the states and the United States could coin money. In the Constitution only United States the Federal government has this power.

Question 12

Who had/ has the power to regulate interstate commerce under the Articles of the Confederation government? Under the Constitution?

Answer 12

Under the Articles of the Confederation, the states had the power to regulate interstate commerce, but under the Constitution only the Federal government / United States.

Question 13

Does Robertson see ideology or politics at work as the Framers designed the Constitution? Why? (see middle of page 55 and page 57)

Answer 13

Robertson sees politics at work when it comes to how the Framers designed the Constitution. The constitution wasn’t just created by using philosophical views, but it was created out of a political compromised between Madison and is opponents.

Question 14

Why does Robertson argue that Madison’s opponents, especially Roger Sherman, were just as important to Constitutional design as was Madison? (addressed on pages 53-57)

Answer 14

Roger Sherman was a strong advocate for dual sovereignty rather than a sole national sovereignty. While Madison advocated for a much stronger national government, Sherman wanted to keep some of the power to states. It is because of his strong advocacy, that states got to keep some of the powers that Madison wanted complete national sovereignty. An example is how states were able to govern commerce within their borders and the national government would only govern international and interstate commerce.

Question 15

Why is Robertson’s assertion that “the delegate’s artfully blurred many politically portentuous terms and boundaries between state and national authority and then handed them over to politicians who would contest them according to the newly established policy-making rules” (58) important to understanding the nature of the Constitution? What are the consequences of the “ambiguity” (vague, lack of clarity) of the Constitution for future politicians? (see especially pages 57-60)

Answer 15

Robertson assertion of this is because many things in the Constitution is not clearly specified and divided between states and national government. It lacks clarity and it doesn’t make the laws stuck in a specific era, we are able to interpret and create laws that serve our modern world. It also makes it impossible for politicians to claim that the constitution serves a specific party, an example are the social democratic or labor political party.

Question 16

What was the Supreme Court case Dred Scot v. Sanford in 1857 about? What was the ruling of the Court?

Answer 16

The case was about a slave man who wanted to file a lawsuit against his owner. The owner frequently traveled with him between states, and in some states slavery was not allowed. Scott argued that when he was in those states he was a free man. Unfortunately the court ruled that because Scott was a slave he was not a citizen and could file a legal lawsuit. Furthermore, it ruled that the Missouri Compromise of 1820 was unconstitutional.

Question 17

What were the three Civil War Amendments? How did the Supreme Court’s decision in the Civil Rights cases influence the ability of the federal government to enforce these amendments? (i.e. Did the Supreme Court in this rulings give more power to the federal government to eliminate discrimination or did they allow the states to continue discrimination?)

Answer 17

The three Civil War Amendments were: the 13th Amendment outlawed slavery, the 14th no States could deny equal protection of the law within its jurisdiction, and the 15th amendment prohibited the denying of voting based on race. Over time and with each new ruling the Supreme Court gave more power to the federal government to eliminate discrimination.

Question 18

What was the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) about? How did the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturn this decision?

Answer 18

The Plessy v. Ferguson case was about the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the states. Stating that States could by law require legal segregation as long as it was equal. The Brown v. Board of Education overturned this decision by ruling that segregation and the separate but equal doctrine were both unconstitutional.

Question 19

Reflecting on lecture and the reading, how does the fight for Civil Rights in the United States reflect Rogers Smith’s multiple-traditions thesis and his arguments concerning the role of ascriptive Americanism (racism/ sexism/ etc.) in American political culture?

Answer 19

The reading on Civil Rights reinforce Smiths’s thesis and his arguments concerning the role of ascriptive. Our government was not initially created equal for all men and women as its stated. It took many centuries,struggles, and cases to get to where we are today.

Question 20

What does Smith argue about the emphasis on Liberalism (Lockean) as the main American political principle? Put another way, how does Smith criticize Tocqueville’s, Hartz’s and other’s over-emphasis on the role of liberalism in American political culture? (pg. 37 to the top of pg. 38)

Answer 20

Smith argues that Liberalism was one of the most important principles in shaping America’s political culture and development. Smith argues that these writers have over emphasized how truly liberal and equal American politics have been to parts of our society. He argues that for the most part of US history we have been unequal to women and to racially different groups or minorities like the Africans or Natives. In reality for a long time the only ones who truly benefited from the Liberalism concept was the few white men usually European descendant.

Question 21

Under the Articles of the Confederation who had the power to coin money (federal/central government, states or both?) Under the Constitution who has the power to coin money (federal/central government, states, or both)?

Answer 21

In the Articles of the Confederation both the states and the United States could coin money. In the Constitution only United States the Federal government has this power.

Question 22

What does Smith argue about the emphasis on Liberalism (Lockean) as the main American political principle? Put another way, how does Smith criticize Tocqueville’s, Hartz’s and other’s over-emphasis on the role of liberalism in American political culture? (pg. 37 to the top of pg. 38)

Answer 22

Smith argues that Liberalism was one of the most important principles in shaping America’s political culture and development. Smith argues that these writers have over emphasized how truly liberal and equal American politics have been to parts of our society. He argues that for the most part of US history we have been unequal to women and to racially different groups or minorities like the Africans or Natives. In reality for a long time the only ones who truly benefited from the Liberalism concept was the few white men usually European descendant.

Question 23

Who had/ has the power to regulate interstate commerce under the Articles of the Confederation government? Under the Constitution?

Answer 23

Under the Articles of the Confederation, the states had the power to regulate interstate commerce, but under the Constitution only the Federal government / United States.

Question 24

What does Smith argue about the emphasis on Liberalism (Lockean) as the main American political principle? Put another way, how does Smith criticize Tocqueville’s, Hartz’s and other’s over-emphasis on the role of liberalism in American political culture? (pg. 37 to the top of pg. 38)

Answer 24

Smith argues that Liberalism was one of the most important principles in shaping America’s political culture and development. Smith argues that these writers have over emphasized how truly liberal and equal American politics have been to parts of our society. He argues that for the most part of US history we have been unequal to women and to racially different groups or minorities like the Africans or Natives. In reality for a long time the only ones who truly benefited from the Liberalism concept was the few white men usually European descendant.

Question 25

Does Robertson see ideology or politics at work as the Framers designed the Constitution? Why? (see middle of page 55 and page 57)

Answer 25

Robertson sees politics at work when it comes to how the Framers designed the Constitution. The constitution wasn’t just created by using philosophical views, but it was created out of a political compromised between Madison and is opponents.

Question 26

What does Smith argue about the emphasis on Liberalism (Lockean) as the main American political principle? Put another way, how does Smith criticize Tocqueville’s, Hartz’s and other’s over-emphasis on the role of liberalism in American political culture? (pg. 37 to the top of pg. 38)

Answer 26

Smith argues that Liberalism was one of the most important principles in shaping America’s political culture and development. Smith argues that these writers have over emphasized how truly liberal and equal American politics have been to parts of our society. He argues that for the most part of US history we have been unequal to women and to racially different groups or minorities like the Africans or Natives. In reality for a long time the only ones who truly benefited from the Liberalism concept was the few white men usually European descendant.

Question 27

Why is Robertson’s assertion that “the delegate’s artfully blurred many politically portentuous terms and boundaries between state and national authority and then handed them over to politicians who would contest them according to the newly established policy-making rules” (58) important to understanding the nature of the Constitution? What are the consequences of the “ambiguity” (vague, lack of clarity) of the Constitution for future politicians? (see especially pages 57-60)

Answer 27

Robertson assertion of this is because many things in the Constitution is not clearly specified and divided between states and national government. It lacks clarity and it doesn’t make the laws stuck in a specific era, we are able to interpret and create laws that serve our modern world. It also makes it impossible for politicians to claim that the constitution serves a specific party, an example are the social democratic or labor political party.

Question 28

What does Smith argue about the emphasis on Liberalism (Lockean) as the main American political principle? Put another way, how does Smith criticize Tocqueville’s, Hartz’s and other’s over-emphasis on the role of liberalism in American political culture? (pg. 37 to the top of pg. 38)

Answer 28

Smith argues that Liberalism was one of the most important principles in shaping America’s political culture and development. Smith argues that these writers have over emphasized how truly liberal and equal American politics have been to parts of our society. He argues that for the most part of US history we have been unequal to women and to racially different groups or minorities like the Africans or Natives. In reality for a long time the only ones who truly benefited from the Liberalism concept was the few white men usually European descendant.

Question 29

What was the Supreme Court case Dred Scot v. Sanford in 1857 about? What was the ruling of the Court?

Answer 29

The case was about a slave man who wanted to file a lawsuit against his owner. The owner frequently traveled with him between states, and in some states slavery was not allowed. Scott argued that when he was in those states he was a free man. Unfortunately the court ruled that because Scott was a slave he was not a citizen and could file a legal lawsuit. Furthermore, it ruled that the Missouri Compromise of 1820 was unconstitutional.

Question 30

What were the three Civil War Amendments? How did the Supreme Court’s decision in the Civil Rights cases influence the ability of the federal government to enforce these amendments? (i.e. Did the Supreme Court in this rulings give more power to the federal government to eliminate discrimination or did they allow the states to continue discrimination?)

Answer 30

The three Civil War Amendments were: the 13th Amendment outlawed slavery, the 14th no States could deny equal protection of the law within its jurisdiction, and the 15th amendment prohibited the denying of voting based on race. Over time and with each new ruling the Supreme Court gave more power to the federal government to eliminate discrimination.

Question 31

What was the Supreme Court case Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) about? How did the Supreme Court in Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturn this decision?

Answer 31

The Plessy v. Ferguson case was about the Supreme Court ruling in favor of the states. Stating that States could by law require legal segregation as long as it was equal. The Brown v. Board of Education overturned this decision by ruling that segregation and the separate but equal doctrine were both unconstitutional.

Question 32

Reflecting on lecture and the reading, how does the fight for Civil Rights in the United States reflect Rogers Smith’s multiple-traditions thesis and his arguments concerning the role of ascriptive Americanism (racism/ sexism/ etc.) in American political culture?

Answer 32

The reading on Civil Rights reinforce Smiths’s thesis and his arguments concerning the role of ascriptive. Our government was not initially created equal for all men and women as its stated. It took many centuries,struggles, and cases to get to where we are today.

Question 33

What does Smith argue about the emphasis on Liberalism (Lockean) as the main American political principle? Put another way, how does Smith criticize Tocqueville’s, Hartz’s and other’s over-emphasis on the role of liberalism in American political culture? (pg. 37 to the top of pg. 38)

Answer 33

Smith argues that Liberalism was one of the most important principles in shaping America’s political culture and development. Smith argues that these writers have over emphasized how truly liberal and equal American politics have been to parts of our society. He argues that for the most part of US history we have been unequal to women and to racially different groups or minorities like the Africans or Natives. In reality for a long time the only ones who truly benefited from the Liberalism concept was the few white men usually European descendant.

Question 34

Briefly discuss the background to the Supreme Court case Lynch v. Donnelly. What was the issue brought to the Supreme Court?
http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1983/1983_82_1256 (Lynch v. Donnelly)

Answer 34

The Supreme Court case was about a citizen Daniel Donnelly of the city of Pawtucket, Rhode Island against the mayor Dennis Lynch. Donnelly felt that the city by displaying a creche under the Christmas tree in the city’s shopping center was pronouncing a religion.