Unit 2: Chapter 6

Question 1

What is the electoral college?

Answer 1

The House of Representatives which convenes together if the electoral election did not produce a majority for any of the candidates. They then cast one vote each for President. Currently, they vote for the state.

Question 2

What did the 12th Amendment state ?

Answer 2

That electors would now cast one ballot for President and a second ballot for President.

Question 3

What did the 23rd Amendment state?

Answer 3

That the District of Columbia would be granted three electors.

Question 4

What is more than half?

Answer 4

A majority

Question 5

What is a minority President ?

Answer 5

A candidate who fails to win a majority of popular votes and yet wins the Presidency.

Question 6

What is the highest number but less than half?

Answer 6

Plurality

Question 7

What is the “winner-take-all” system ?

Answer 7

It is a system used by 48 of the 50 states. The candidate that receives more state votes than the other candidates receives all the electoral votes or none of them.

Question 8

How long is a Presidential term ?

Answer 8

Four years

Question 9

What Amendment states that the President may be elected to only two terms, and he may not serve as President for more than ten years ?

Answer 9

The 22nd Amendment

Question 10

What are the three Constitutional Qualifications for President ?

Answer 10

1. Must be a natural-born citizen
2. Must be at least 35 years old
3. Must have resisted in the US for at least 14 years

Question 11

What are the informal qualifications for President ?

Answer 11

1. No President has been younger than 40 years old
2. Presidential candidates have, traditionally, been Protestant.
3. A candidate is also expected to have political experience

Question 12

What US President was Roman Catholic ?

Answer 12

John F. Kennedy

Question 13

What did the 25th Amendment say ?

Answer 13

Under certain circumstances, the Vice President “shall become President”

Question 14

What is the order for Presidential succession ?

Answer 14

Vice President 
Speaker of the House
President pro tem
Secretary of State 
Heads of the other Cabinet departments in order of their creation

Question 15

Who fixes the President’s salary ?

Answer 15

Congress

Question 16

What are the two official duties of the Vice President ?

Answer 16

1. To preside over the Senate
2. To help determine when the President is unable to carry out his responsibilities and serve as acting President (if need be)

Question 17

What was Gerald R. Ford known for ?

Answer 17

1. He was the first person to become Vice President by being nominated by the President and approved by Congress
2. He was the first President in American history who was not elected to the office.

Question 18

Who gives the President his authority ?

Answer 18

God

Question 19

What breeds good leadership ?

Answer 19

Good character

Question 20

What are some factors that have contributed to the growth of presidential power?

Answer 20

1. Congress granted power through legislation
2. National emergencies have given unprecedented power.
3. Welfare has grown steadily
4. Through the demonstration of leadership qualities

Question 21

What is Article II, Section I ?

Answer 21

It is the foundation of the President’s authority and influence.

Question 22

What are the five primary role of the President of the United States?

Answer 22

1. Chief of State
2. Chief Executive
3. Chief Legislator
4. Chief Diplomat
5. Commander in Chief

Question 23

What is the President’s role as Chief of State ?

Answer 23

The ceremonial head of the government and the symbol of national unity.

Question 24

What are the three ceremonial functions the President serves in as Chief of State ?

Answer 24

1. His inauguration
2. His State of the Union address
3. His reception of ambassadors from other countries

Question 25

What Amendment stated that the inauguration is to take place on January 20 instead of March 4?

Answer 25

The 20th Amendment

Question 26

What is the Inaugural Address ?

Answer 26

A speech usually expressing the main points to be followed by the President's new administration

Question 27

What is the State of the Union Address ?

Answer 27

A Presidential report on the state of the union.

Question 28

What is protocol ?

Answer 28

The collection of behaviors and ceremonies that are observed by diplomats and heads of state.

Question 29

What is the Chief Executive ?

Answer 29

He is the one responsible to see that the laws of the federal government are enforced.

Question 30

What are commands by the President which have the force of law without Congress' approval?

Answer 30

Executive Orders

Question 31

What is the power to issue such orders called ?

Answer 31

Ordinance power

Question 32

What is the President's panel of advisors ?

Answer 32

His Cabinet

Question 33

What is a reprieve?

Answer 33

A postponement of a sentence

Question 34

What is a pardon ?

Answer 34

A legal exoneration for a crime

Question 35

What does it mean to commute a penalty ?

Answer 35

To reduce it

Question 36

What is a general pardon issued to a group of people all at one time?

Answer 36

Amnesty

Question 37

What does the President do as Chief Legislature ?

Answer 37

He seeks to influence the lawmaking process

Question 38

What are the issues that will be considered and debated in Congress during the coming year?

Answer 38

The agenda

Question 39

What does the President do as Chief Diplomat ?

Answer 39

He has the power to extend national recognition to foreign countries, propose and ratify treaties, and issue executive agreements.

Question 40

What is the recognition of the existence of that nation and the legitimacy of its government ?

Answer 40

Diplomatic Recognition

Question 41

What is a treaty ?

Answer 41

A formal agreement between nations

Question 42

What is the most famous treaty to be signed in recent times ?

Answer 42

START | Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty

Question 43

What is the most famous refusal to approve a Presidential treaty ?

Answer 43

The Treaty of Versailles

Question 44

What is an executive agreement ?

Answer 44

An informal agreement entered into by the President and the leader of a foreign nation or by their representatives.

Question 45

What is the President's job as Commander in Chief ?

Answer 45

He controls the military forces of the federal government but also may call out the organized state militias

Question 46

What did the War Powers Resolution say ?

Answer 46

It was designed to limit the time a President could keep American forces involved in a foreign conflict without an approval of Congress.

Question 47

What organization is involved most directly in assisting the President ?

Answer 47

The Executive Office of the President

Question 48

What is the President's closest personal and political staff known as ?

Answer 48

The White House Office

Question 49

Who leads the White House Office ?

Answer 49

The chief of staff

Question 50

What is the Office of Management and Budget known for ?

Answer 50

It is the largest organization within the Executive Office of the President. It is known for its role in planning the the federal government's annual budget.

Question 51

What is the policy relating to financial affairs ?

Answer 51

The fiscal policy

Question 52

What is the highest level advisory body that keeps the President informed on military and diplomatic issues of national security ?

Answer 52

The National Security Council this Council is advised by the National Security Advisor

Question 53

Who is the head of the Executive branch?

Answer 53

The President