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Unit 2 Flashcards

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1
Q

Why was ratification of the Constitution crucial in Virginia and New York?

A. They were the principal sites of Revolutionary War battles.
B. They were two of the most populous States and were needed to assure the success of the new government.
C. They were the home States of Washington and Hamilton.
D. They brought with them the Carolinas and Pennsylvania.

A

B

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2
Q

Which of the following was one of the major compromises made during the Constitutional Convention? (Mark all that apply.)

A. The Connecticut Compromise
B. The Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise
C. The Three-Fifths Compromise
D. The Bundle Compromise

A

All but D

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3
Q

Madison’s plan for a National Government with greatly expanded powers

A

Virginia Plan

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4
Q

Paterson’s plan for a Nation Government, which greatly resembled the Articles of Confederation.

A

New Jersey Plan

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5
Q

A combination of the Virginia and New Jersey Plans

A

Connecticut Compromise

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6
Q

A plan to satisfy Southern fears that the Federal Government might be funded through export duties.

A

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

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7
Q

A plan to satisfy Southerners’ desire to inflate the population count of their States.

A

Three-fifths Compromise

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8
Q

Although the Constitution is often called a “bundle of compromises,” nearly all the delegates were dedicated to the concepts of (Mark all that apply.)

A. Separation of powers
B. Checks and balances
C. Representative government
D. Limited government
E. Federal government with expanded power
F. Popular sovereignty
A

All but E

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9
Q

Much of the work of the Framers centered around the proposals that had been set out in

A. the Virginia Plan.
B. The Federalist.
C. the New Jersey Plan.
D. the Declaration of Independence.

A

A

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10
Q

Which of the following statements about the inauguration of George Washington as the first U.S. president is true? (Mark all that apply.)

A. It took place in New York City, the country’s temporary capital.
B. It followed his unanimous election in the Electoral College.
C. It followed Washington’s appointment of James Madison as the first Vice President.
D. It came after the ratification of the Constitution.

A

All but C

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11
Q

Federalists favored ratification of the Constitution because they

A. supported a strong central government.
B. supported a weak central government.
C. wanted to avoid another revolution.
D. wanted a Bill of Rights.

A

A

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12
Q

Which of the following were the two greatest objections of the Anti-Federalists to the Constitution?

A. The ratification process
B. The lack of a Bill of Rights
C. The absence of an mention of God in the document
D. The increased powers of the national government at the expense of state power
E. The fear of losing their representatives in Congress

A

B. & D.

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13
Q

Which of the following influenced the Framers in developing the Constitution? (Mark all that apply.)

A. Locke, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and other political writers
B. Spanish colonial law
C. State constitutions
D. British tradition

A

All but B

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14
Q

Those who created the framework of the new government and wrote the Constitution are called

A. Constitutionalists.
B. the Great Compromisers.
C. Anti-federalists.
D. the Framers

A

D.

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15
Q

The Federalist Essays were written to

A. win support for the Constitution in New York.
B. expose the lack of civil liberties protected in the Constitution.
C. condemn the Constitution for the absence of any mention of God.
D. urge ratification of the Constitution in Virginia.

A

A.

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16
Q

Who became known as the “Father of the Constitution”?

A. Benjamin Franklin
B. George Washington
C. James Madison
D. Thomas Jefferson

A

C.

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17
Q

In Benjamin Franklin’s opinion, the final Constitution created by the delegates can best be summarized as

A. as full of imperfections as those who assembled it.
B. as near perfect as possible.
C. absolutely perfect.
D. showing errors of opinion and self-interest.

A

B.

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18
Q

Both the Connecticut Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise were crucial to the small States because

A. without them, the small States would have had too much responsibility in the new government.
B. they aided the economy of the small States.
C. they convinced James Madison to support the small States.
D. without them, the small States would have carried little weight in the new government.

A

D.

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19
Q

What was the main point of disagreement between supporters of the Virginia and New Jersey plans?

A. How the States would be represented in Congress
B. Whether or not there should be an executive
C. Whether or not they should keep the Articles of Confederation
D. How they would present the completed Constitution to their States

A

A.

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20
Q

At the Philadelphia Convention, the delegates agreed to

A. make minor revisions to the Articles of Confederation.
B. open their sessions to the public.
C. pass proposals by unanimous vote only.
D. exceed their authority and draft a new constitution.

A

D.

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21
Q

Changes or additions to the Constitution are called

A. amendments.
B. ratifications.
C. clauses.
D. bills.

A

A.

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22
Q

The government is held accountable for its actions under which of the following principles of government?

A. The rule of law
B. Judicial review
C. Federalism
D. Checks and balances

A

B.

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23
Q

In most cases involving judicial review, the courts have

A. found the governmental actions in question to be constitutional.
B. had their decisions overturned by Congress.
C. had their decisions vetoed by the President
D. found the governmental actions in question to be unconstitutional.

A

A.

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24
Q

Which of the following is an example of the checks and balances system? (Mark all that apply.)

A. The Supreme Court declares a law passed by Congress to be unconstitutional.
B. The Senate approves the President’s nominee for Supreme Court justice.
C. Congress impeaches and removes a judge.
D. The President vetoes a bill.
E. The President makes an executive agreement.

A

All but E.

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25
Q

The introduction to the Constitution which states the broad purposes of government is called

A. the Elastic Clause.
B. the Bill of Rights.
C. Article I.
D. the Preamble.

A

D.

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26
Q

This branch of government enforces or executes the law.

A

Executive Branch

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27
Q

This branch of government interprets and applies the law.

A

Judicial Branch

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28
Q

This branch of government makes the law.

A

Legislative Branch (Congress)

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29
Q

The opening of the Preamble (“We the People of the United States …”) demonstrates what basic principle?

A. Popular sovereignty
B. Federalism
C. Separation of powers
D. Limited government

A

A.

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30
Q

What does the Massachusetts constitution of 1780 demonstrate when it declared that “the legislative department shall never exercise the executive and judicial powers, or either of them?”

A. Popular sovereignty
B. Presidential veto
C. Limited government
D. Separation of powers

A

D.

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31
Q

The seven major divisions of the Constitution are called 11 12

A. Articles
B. Sections
C. Preambles
D. Clauses

A

A.

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32
Q

The government receives its power from the people and can govern only with their consent

A

Popular sovereignty

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33
Q

Each of the three branches of government have the ability to restrain the other two so that the rights of citizens are preserved

A

Checks and Balances

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34
Q

The division of government power between three branches to prevent the misuse of that power

A

Separation of Powers

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35
Q

The federal court system has the power to review the acts of government and cancel any actions that are unconstitutional.

A

Judicial Review

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36
Q

A system of government in which power is shared between the national and smaller (state) governments

A

Federal

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37
Q

Government authority is restricted and cannot be expanded past the wishes of those being governed.

A

Limited Government

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38
Q

Which of the following accounts for the ability of the Constitution to endure for more than 200 years?

A. Inflexible provisions designed to resist change
B. Built-in provisions for accommodating change
C. Very specific language that limits reinterpretation
D. Detailed provisions that anticipated changing customs

A

B.

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39
Q

Which basic principle is also known as “constitutionalism” or “rule of law?”

A. Limited government
B. Federalism
C. Popular sovereignty
D. Separation of powers

A

A.

40
Q

Which of the following is true of the Constitution? (Mark all that apply.)

A. It sets guidelines within which the government must operate.
B. It has not been changed in 50 years.
C. It is the highest form of law in the United States.
D. It is open to interpretation.

A

A & C

41
Q

Which of the following statements about the Bill of Rights are true? (Mark all that apply.)

A. The Bill of Rights was ratified at the same time as the Constitution.
B. The Bill of Rights are the first ten amendments of the Constitution.
C. The Bill of Rights guarantees freedom of expression and fair and equal treatment before the law.
D. The Bill of Rights came about to help end controversy over ratification of the Constitution.

A

All but A.

42
Q

The participation of both the Federal Government and State governments in the amendment process is evidence of what constitutional principle?

A. Checks and balances
B. Federalism
C. Popular sovereignty
D. Limited government

A

B.

43
Q

Which of the following constitutional changes was a result of party practices?

A. The revised structure of the federal court system
B. The use of the electoral college as a ‘rubber stamp’ for the popular vote
C. The practice of senatorial courtesy
D. Executive agreement

A

B.

44
Q

Which method of amending the Constitution has been the most commonly used?

A. National convention proposes, State conventions ratify
B. National convention proposes, State legislatures ratify
C. Congress proposes, State conventions ratify
D. Congress proposes, State legislatures ratify

A

D.

45
Q

One criticism of the formal amendment process is that

A. the judicial branch cannot propose an amendment.
B. State legislatures, rather than convention delegates elected by the people, most often ratify amendments.
C. the process is too short and, therefore, too many amendments are approved.
D. the Framers did not intend for the words of the Constitution to be changed.

A

B.

46
Q

Which branch of the Federal Government plays the largest role in the formal amendment process?

A. The judicial branch
B. The executive branch
C. The legislative branch
D. The bureacracy

A

C.

47
Q

Which of the following are true statements? (Mark all that apply.)

A. Informal changes to the Constitution result from the daily experiences of government.
B. There have been many informal changes to the Constitution.
C. Informal changes to the Constitution involve changing the written words of the Constitution.
D. Informal changes to the Constitution require the approval of the States.

A

A. & B.

48
Q

The Constitution has been amended

A. 27 times.
B. 21 times.
C. 10 times.
D. 39 times.

A

A.

49
Q

Which of the following statements are true? (Mark all that apply.)

A. Executive agreements require Senate approval.
B. Executive agreements reduce presidential power.
C. An executive agreement is an example of informal change to the Constitution by presidential action.
D. An executive agreement is a pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state.
E. Executive agreements are more cumbersome than the treaty-making process.

A

C. & D.

50
Q

Which of the following are informal methods of changing the Constitution? (Mark all that apply.)

A. Key decisions by the Supreme Court
B. Activities of political parties
C. Custom
D. Actions of the President
E. Basic legislation by Congress
A

All of the Above

51
Q

Once ratified, a constitutional amendment may only be changed by

A. another amendment.
B. the Supreme Court.
C. the President.
D. repeal by 2/3 of the States in convention.

A

A.

52
Q

How is an amendment ratified?

A. Either (1) by the State legislatures of 3/4 of the States or (2) by conventions held in 3/4 of the States
B. Either (1) by the governors of 3/4 of the States or (2) at a national convention called by Congress when requested by 2/3 of the State legislatures
C. Either (1) by Congress by a 2/3 vote in both houses or (2) at a national convention called by Congress when requested by 2/3 of the State legislatures
D. Either (1) by the President or (2) by conventions held in 3/4 of the States

A

A.

53
Q

Which of the following describes the avenue by which the Supreme Court can shape the Constitution?

A. By deciding what the words of the Constitution mean in practice
B. By voting in federal elections
C. By exerting influence on political parties
D. By proposing a constitutional amendment

A

A.

54
Q

The Judiciary Act of 1789 was an example of

A. a formal amendment to the Constitution.
B. a court decision.
C. congressional change to the Constitution.
D. an executive agreement.

A

C.

55
Q

Which of the following was an informal custom that was eventually added to the written Constitution by formal amendment?

A. No third term for Presidents
B. Party conventions
C. Women’s suffrage
D. The legal voting age of 18

A

A.

56
Q

How is an amendment proposed?

A. Either (1) by Congress by a 2/3 vote in both houses or (2) at a national convention called by Congress when requested by 2/3 of the State legislatures
B. Either (1) by the governors of 3/4 of the States or (2) by conventions held in 3/4 of the States
C. Either (1) by Congress by a 2/3 vote in both houses or (2) by conventions held in 3/4 of the States
D. Either (1) by the State legislatures of 3/4 of the States or (2) at a national convention called by the President

A

A.

57
Q

Which of the following are true statements? (Mark all that apply.)

A. The Constitution is a brief outline of government rather than a detailed plan.
B. The Constitution was changed within the first three years of its existence.
C. The Constitution of the United States is a flexible document.
D. The Framers did not want changes to the Constitution to occur.
E. The Constitution of the United States is the newest written constitution in the world.

A

A. B. & C.

58
Q

The President’s Cabinet and senatorial courtesy are examples of constitutional change by

A. State action.
B. unwritten custom.
C. court decision.
D. basic legislation.

A

B.

59
Q

Who was the primary author of the Bill of Rights?

A. George Washington
B. Thomas Jefferson
C. Gouverneur Morris
D. James Madison

A

D.

60
Q

The 2nd Amendment, over the years, has proved to be one of the most controversial. What does it guarantee?

A. Our Right to own a gun
B. Our right to property
C. Our right to a Lawyer if we are arrested
D. Our right to NOT testify against ourselves

A

A.

61
Q

How many amendments did James Madison originally propose to Congress?

A. 15
B. 8
C. 12
D. 10

A

C.

62
Q

Which amendment establishes federalism?

A. 7
B. 9
C. 8
D. 10

A

D.

63
Q

The 3rd amendment, although a little outdated, was very important in the late 1700s. It guaranteed that…

A. the federal government would not let troops live in our homes
B. the federal government would not raise taxes
C. the federal government would not interfere with slavery
D. the federal government would not establish a king

A

A.

64
Q

Which amendment protects us from illegal police searches?

A. 5
B. 4
C. 2
D. 3

A

B.

65
Q

Which amendment guarantees a speedy trial and a lawyer?

A. 6
B. 7
C. 5
D. 8

A

A.

66
Q

Which amendment tells us that we have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution?

A. 9
B. 10
C. 7
D. 8

A

A.

67
Q

For what purpose was the Bill of Rights written?

A. To ensure the people’s rights from government
B. Because George Washington insisted upon it.
C. To ensure the states’ didn’t take too much power away from the federal government.
D. To apease the Federalists

A

A.

68
Q

Which of the following is NOT one of the rights protected in the first amendment?

A. Bear Arms
B. Religion
C. Press
D. Speech

A

A.

69
Q

Which amendment was added so that young men going off to war would at least have a chance to vote for their commander in chief, the president?

A. 27
B. 26
C. 24
D. 25

A

B.

70
Q

Which amendment give the residents of Washington D.C. the opportunity to vote in presidential elections?

A. 23
B. 21
C. 20
D. 22

A

A.

71
Q

Amendments 13, 14 and 15 were all issued in response to the same event. What event was that?

A. The Movement Westward and Native American Conflicts
B. World War II
C. The American Civil War
D. The 1960s Civil Rights Movement

A

C.

72
Q

Which amendment was originally introduced by James Madison, but took over 200 year to ratify?

A. Giving Washington D.C. 3 electoral votes for president
B. Outlining presidential succession and disability
C. Women’s voting rights
D. When Congressional pay raise goes into effect

A

D.

73
Q

Which amendment moved inauguration from March 4th to January 20th?

A. 20
B. 19
C. 21
D. 18

A

A.

74
Q

Which amendment gives the Federal Government permission to tax our income?

A. 19
B. 18
C. 17
D. 16

A

D.

75
Q

What is unique about the 18th amendment?

A. It is the only amendment to deal exclusively with women’s rights
B. It was passed in record time
C. It is the only amendment to be repealed
D. It took over 200 years to be ratified

A

C.

76
Q

Which amendment put a separate spot on the ballot for the vice-president so that the position no longer fell to the runner-up in the presidential election?

A. 14
B. 11
C. 13
D. 12

A

D.

77
Q

The power of the National Government to coin money is (Mark all that apply.)

A. a concurrent power.
B. an implied power.
C. an inherent power.
D. an exclusive power.
E. an expressed power.
A

D. & E.

78
Q

Which of the following powers can the National Government legally exercise?

A. Delegated and reserved powers
B. Expressed, implied and inherent powers
C. Expressed powers only
D. The power to tax State governments

A

B.

79
Q

Which statement about local government is accurate?

A. Local government is a subunit of State government.
B. Local government supercedes the authority of State government.
C. Local government has no relationship with State governments.
D. Local government is an extension of the federal government.

A

A.

80
Q

The Necessary and Proper Clause is called the Elastic Clause because

A. it gives States as much power as they need.
B. it has been stretched to define many implied powers.
C. it gives the Supreme Court the authority to interpret the Constitution.
D. if stretched so far it breaks.

A

B.

81
Q

All powers given to the National Government by the Constitution whether expressed, implied, or inherent

A

Delegated Powers

82
Q

Powers given the National Government that are spelled out or enumerated in the Constitution.

A

Expressed Powers

83
Q

Powers reasonably thought to be granted the National Government but not spelled out specifically in the Constitution

A

Implied Powers

84
Q

Powers that naturally belong to the National Government because it represents a sovereign state

A

Inherent Powers

85
Q

Powers possessed and exercised by both National and State governments

A

Concurrent Powers

86
Q

Powers that the Constitution does not grant to the National Government but does not deny the States

A

Reserved Powers

87
Q

According to the Supremacy Clause, which of the following is the correct order of the “ladder of laws” in the United States, from top to bottom?

A. County charters and ordinances, State statues, State constitutions, acts of Congress and treaties, The U.S. Constitution
B. The U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress and treaties, State constitutions, State statues, city and county charters and ordinances
C. State constitutions, The U.S. Constitution, acts of Congress and treaties, State statues, city and county charters and ordinances
D. The U.S. Constitution, State constitutions, acts of Congress and treaties, State statues, city and county charters and ordinances

A

B.

88
Q

Which of the following statements about the powers of the National Government is true?

A. Only the Congress exercises the expressed powers.
B. Each of the inherent powers must be traceable to some expressed power.
C. The Elastic Clause limits those powers.
D. It is a government of delegated powers.

A

D.

89
Q

Which of the following is a reserved power of State governments?

A. Raise and maintain armed forces
B. Determine license requirements for teachers and doctors
C. Conduct elections
D. Borrow money
E. Establish public schools
A

C.

90
Q

Which of the following is a true statement? (Mark all that apply.)

A. There are many inherent powers.
B. McCulloch v. Maryland established the importance of the elastic clause.
C. Local and county governments are independent of State control.
D. The Supreme Court is the umpire of the American federal system.
E. Federalism creates two basic levels of government.

A

D. & E.

91
Q

What are the different types of delegated powers?

A. Defined, divided, and denied
B. Expressed, implied, and inherent
C. Federal, confederate, and unitary
D. Legislative, executive, and judicial

A

B.

92
Q

Which of the following is true of federalism? (Mark all that apply.)

A. It limits the power of government.
B. It allows local action in matters of local concern.
C. It provides uniform laws among the States.
D. It divides power between a National Government and State governments.

A

All but C

93
Q

Which of the following are powers of the National Government? (Mark all that apply.)

A. Conduct elections
B. Coin money
C. Levy and collect taxes
D. Establish public schools
E. Conduct foreign relations
A

B. C. & E.

94
Q

What clause deals with conflicts between national law and State law?

A. Supremacy Clause
B. Full Faith and Credit Clause
C. Elastic Clause
D. Necessary and Proper Clause

A

A.

95
Q

Which of the following are concurrent powers? (Mark all that apply.)

A. Conduct elections
B. Establish courts
C. Regulate interstate trade
D. Levy and collect taxes
E. Regulate alcoholic drinks
A

B. & D.

96
Q

State governments can claim no

A. reserved powers.
B. powers belonging to local governments.
C. concurrent powers.
D. inherent powers.

A

D.

Gov & CIt (4 decks)

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