Test Questions Flashcards
The word politics simply refers to
the process of forming relationships based on shared interests
When someone refers to government, they are really speaking about __________
public institutions
What determines which group of people will get to implement their policies and spend taxpayer dollars to carry out their goals?
Power in government
In what year did the French settle in Texas and declare the land for France?
1684
How did Spain establish dominion over the Texas territory?
Spain established missions and attempted to convert Native Americans to Catholicism
What was the main reason Anglos settled in Texas?
Plentiful open land
Which slogan was inscribed on a banner at the decisive battle of San Jacinto?
Come and Take It
Which of the following was a major factor in allowing Texas to benefit from the raising and selling of beef?
Refrigerated railcarts
What features make Texas a desirable place for industry and companies? (Select all that apply)
cheap space
low taxes
hands-off approach by state government
The 1901 discovery of massive oil deposits boosted the Texas economy due to a shortage of fossil fuels in the Middle East at the time.
False
Which of the following is considered reflective of Texas conservative values? (Select all that apply)
distrust of government
resistance to change
The U.S. Constitution provides for a structure of government that__________________
grants state and national governments delineated authority
When the U.S. Supreme Court rules that a state law is unconstitutional, which level of government is it affirming as supreme?
National
The national government can control the states by providing or withholding federal money.
True
What would be required to legalize casino gambling in the state of Texas? (select all correct answers)
It would have to be changed by a constitutional amendment.
Texas was under the governing authority of the Coahuila state in Mexico
1827 Constitution
Texas became a republic after Sam Houston’s victory at San Jacinto.
1836 Constitution
Texas seceded from the union to join the Confederate State of America
1861 Constitution
Texas rejoined the union and denied African Americans the right to vote.
1866 Constitution
gave the government more power during Reconstruction
1869 Constitution
The Texas Grange was a group of Radical Republicans who greatly influenced the creation of the 1876 Constitution.
False
Under the 1876 Constitution, the Texas Governor’s power was greatly reduced by the limitation of appointment powers.
True
With _____ provisions, the Texas Bill of Rights has significantly more than the U.S. Bill of Rights.
thirty
To amend the Texas Constitution, ________ of both houses and ___________ of Texas voters must approve.
two-thirds, a majority
After Union troops withdrew from Texas and Republicans were ousted from political office, which of the following were passed to both sanction racial segregation and deny equal rights to African Americans
Jim Crow Laws
Imagine a young African American female in the year 1919. What are the barriers to this person voting in the Texas primary election?
Poll tax
Lack of suffrage
White primary system
The Supreme Court ended the state poll tax in Texas in 1966
True
If the Texas legislature were to draw political districts in a way that discriminated against minority groups in the voting or registration process, it would be a violation of
the Voting Rights Act
Dave, a Tarrant County College student, moved from Hays County to Tarrant County in August of the academic school year. For Dave to vote in the upcoming November election in Tarrant County, he must re-register with his new address within __________ days of the election.
30
Family tradition is the most significant factor that determines voter turnout in Texas
False
Primary election in Texas are
partisan
If Miguel considers himself a Republican, when does he make a formal declaration of his political party affiliation?
He does this when he votes a primary election
To win a general election, a candidate must receive ________
A plurality of the votes
Which of the following situations require a special election? (Select all that apply)
A school board needs voter approval to pass a bond to build a new school
Allow voters to decide a constitutional amendment passed by the Texas legislature
Select a new person to fill a vacancy for a legislator who left office before the end of their tenure
Texas corporations may not contribute directly to a political candidate’s campaign.
True
Which is one of the main objectives of a political party?
Win elections
A coalition is the formal meeting of a political party to select its leadership.
False
What is the basic unit of the Texas political system?
Precinct
Which of these factors are true for a precinct chair? (Select all that apply)
- selected by the party’s primary voters
- responsible for running the primary election in their precinct
- serves a two-year term
The election of Texas governors like Miriam “Ma” Ferguson, Pat Neff, and William Hobby in the 1910s and 1920s illustrated that political success in this era ______
depended more on personality than philosophy
In 1990, Ann Richards was the last ______ to be elected Governor of Texas
Democrat
Why was a special election held in Texas after the presidential election of Lyndon Johnson in 1960?
The U.S. Constitution prohibits a person from holding seats in two different governmental branches
Which of the following is a primary reason for interest groups?
To influence elected officials
Interest groups primarily ______ while political parties ________
seek to influence elected officials; seek to nominate candidates to run for office
_______ interest groups bring monetary benefit to their members
Economic
A public employee interest group, such as the Texas State Teachers Association, can have both economic and non-economic concerns.
True
