Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Commander-in-Chief
As Commander-in-Chief of the United States' armed forces, the
President is ultimately at the head of the chain of command for the
Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and the Coast Guard. While many
former military generals such as Washington, Jackson, Grant and
Eisenhower have served as president, there is no requisite of former
military service to become Commander-in-Chief. This is an
important concept in the Constitution, making the ultimate head of
the armed forces an elected civilian and not a member of the forces
directly under his command. Civilian control of the military serves
to balance the needs of defense and security with accountability to
the democratic populace.
Chief Executive
As Chief Executive the president is technically the head of all
Federal agencies, departments and bureaucracy within the
executive branch. Examples of these would include the Department
of Justice and the agencies of the FBI and the ATF under that
department's control, the Internal Revenue Service and hundreds of
other government offices. The president issues executive orders to
these agencies and directs the enforcement of the laws as passed by
Congress and interpreted by the Supreme Court. The president also
appoints and removes the government officials responsible for
heading these various and diverse government offices.
Head Diplomat
As Head Diplomat the president represents the
United States in negotiations with foreign
countries. Article II of the Constitution grants the President the power
to negotiate and sign treaties on behalf of the United States (treaties
do require ratification by the Senate to take effect). The president also
extends or removes recognition of nations and their governments. As
head diplomat the president sets US foreign policy, to be carried out
by the Department of State, via the Secretary of State, US
Ambassadors and US envoys around the globe.
Chief Lawmaker
As Chief Lawmaker the president's main responsibility is proposing
the federal budget. By directing the spending of the federal
government the president effectively determines what programs and
policy areas are to receive funding priority. The president also
proposes legislation to be considered by Congress. While it is
Congress's role to craft and pass all legislation, proposals from the president are usually
given special consideration and have been the origin of many of our significant laws and
policies throughout US history. Finally, the president has the power of the veto, or the
rejection of legislation passed by Congress, giving him the power to strike down
proposals with which he does not agree. While vetoes can be over ridden by Congress,
the veto remains a power lawmaking weapon.
Head of State
As the Head of State, the office of the presidency serves as the symbolic or ceremonial
representation of the United States. An analogy can be made to the Queen of England or
the Emperor of Japan, individuals who serve to represent the government to its people, or
to represent that government symbolically to the world. In this capacity the president may
attend ceremonies or funerals for the heads of foreign governments, or toss the first pitch
on baseball's opening day.
Bully Pulpit
The concept of the Bully Pulpit is not found in the Constitution or any actual law, it
instead developed as an extension of the president's position and meaning
in American society. Coined by President Teddy Roosevelt, the bully
pulpit is the use of the prestige and public authority of the president to
advocate for a particular agenda or idea, not by legislation but by
persuasion of the American people. Public speeches in which the
president may ask the American people to undertake a specific request,
not because of a government action, but because of a presidential appeal,
is an example of the bully pulpit. The ability to use the 'Bully Pulpit' is based purely on
the president's moral authority and respect for the office of the presidency.
• Foundation
Highlights the roots of the American system and the unique history of United
States political though that gave rise to the Constitution.
• Convention
Focuses on the dynamics of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 in
Philadelphia, the differing point of view and eventual compromises that gave
birth to the document itself.
• 3 Branches
Examines the three branches that compose the Federal Government, their unique
powers and roles, as well as how power is separated in order to keep one branch
of government from dominating the system.
• Checks and Balances
Examples of the system of checks and balances in action. Examples of how each
branch is endowed with the power to temper the power of the other two.
• Federalism
Identifies the unique balance between federal and state power, as well as the
types of powers identified in the Constitution.
• Amendments
Discusses the process for amending the Constitution, as well as a discussion of
the Bill of Rights, the other amendments and their historic roots.
• Unwritten Constitution
Explains the features of the Constitution that are considered implied or
"unwritten". Provides examples of these features in action, as well as a
reasoning behind their implementation.
• Laws (Legislation)
A selection of significant legislation from American history, focused on the
provisions of the laws and their historic roots.
1. National Power
The Constitution created a "limited government" with clearly delegated powers,
however over time federal power has grown to include a greater amount of
implied as well as "necessary and proper" powers.
2. Federalism
The Constitution attempts a balance of power between the federal government
and those of the states. Over time the federal government has grown to meet the
demands of a more complex society, how do we preserve the balance of
federalism while meeting these demands?
3. The Judiciary
As interpreter of the Constitution and its changing meaning over time, the
Judicial Branch has a unique power to shape the Constitution and its protections
in order to adapt to the changing needs and challenges of society.
4. Civil Liberties
An on-going discussion in American history has been the delicate balance
between the civil rights of the individual with the security, welfare and needs of
American society as a whole.
5. Crime and Rights of the Accused
The Constitution (in the Bill of Rights) very specifically details the rights of the
accused and the limits on the government in prosecuting accusations. At the
same time we have struggled to balance the rights of the accused with the
general welfare of the nation and the rights of the victim.
6. Equality as a Constitutional Value
The Constitution does not outline the specific ways in which equality is to be
defined, be it social, economic or political. As the nation has progressed,
reinterpretations of the Constitution have helped to better define the meanings of
"equality".
7. Rights of Women
The Constitution does not specifically address the rights and status of women,
save for the 19th amendment, however in the recent past Constitutional
protections assumed for men have been extended to fully include women as
well.
8. Rights of Racial and Ethnic Minorities
The Constitution has in many ways failed to protect the rights of ethnic and
racial minorities, however in recent history there has been a greater push to
extend Constitutional protections to a greater number of groups.
9. Presidential Foreign and Wartime Powers
Presidential power has increased as the nation as grown and expanded, reaching
their peak during times of war and national emergency.
10. Separation of Powers
The Constitution set up three branches of government, each with specific and
unique powers, as well as system of checks and balances designed to limit those
power s.
11. Representation
The Constitution provides for voting rights, which have been expanded over
time to include a greater amount of the population. The growth of political
parties also has aided in the growth of representation in government.
12. Property and Economic Rights
The government provides for the general welfare and protects the rights of the
people to own property and exercise economic freedom.
Locke declared that all men are born with the natural rights of "life, liberty and
property" and no government can revoke these rights. Locke maintained that citizens
grant governments the power to rule, in order to protect their natural rights. When a
government fails to protect rights and consent is revoked, the government can be
changed or replaced with a revolution. Jean Rousseau developed the idea of the social
contract, based on the previous ideas of Locke. It held that a social contract existed
between government and the people. It further stated that when government broke the
contract by failing to serve the will of the people, a revolution was justified. Baron de
Montesquieu was an enlightenment philosopher who wrote of the benefits of dividing
power in a government among more than one branch.
Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers borrowed many of these ideas when crafting
the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Natural Rights appear in the
declaration as "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness". The notion of replacing a
government that fails to maintain consent is cited as justification for the American
Revolution against the English. Finally, separation of powers is integrated into US
government along the three branch system and protected by the system of checks and
balances.
Ben Franklin's Albany Plan of Union in 1754 was the earliest attempt at organizing the
13 colonies against the French. It was soundly rejected by the colonial governments as a
threat to the democratic institutions that had created in the absence of direct British rule.
During this era the English government had no specific policy of direct governing of the
colonies. This became known as the period of salutary neglect or the ignoring of the
colonies for their own health, during which they developed forms of self-rule.
During this period of salutary neglect the colonists began to develop their own forms of
government. In Virginia, the House of Burgesses developed as a representative
democracy in which elected officials served as the voice of their regions within the
state. In Massachusetts, many towns relied upon a New England style town meetings in
which all white, land-holding men were allowed to participate.
Weakness in
Articles of Example Change in Constitution
Confederation
In ability to deal Federal Government is
No Standing with the threat of given the power to raise
Army "Shay's and maintain a standing
Rebellion" army
States did not pay
Congress is granted the
No Federal debts to Congress
power to tax, impose duty
Taxation and so federal
and raise tariffs
gov't had no $$
States minted
No Single money, no set
Congress is granted sole
National exchange
power to coin money
Currency disrupted trade
among the states
Failure of direct
No Executive leadership A strong executive
Leadership resulted in (President) is created
indecision
Smaller states
Each State had with low Bicameral Legislature with
Equal Vote in populations had proportional representation
Congress disproportional in the House of Reps.
power
Complete
The 1787 Constitutional
Required inability to
Convention completely
Unanimous correct the
replaced the Articles rather
Vote to Amend failures under the
than amending them
articles
Constitutional Convention
THE ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION FAIL:
Many of our greatest founding fathers attended the convention as delegates from their
respective states. George Washington (elected president of the convention), Ben
Franklin, James Madison and Alexander Hamilton (a strong contributor and delegate
from New York) all were in attendance.
Despite the greatness in leadership, the crafting of a new constitution proved a long and
difficult task. Regional, political and economic differences threatened to jeopardize the
process. It was only by carefully crafted compromise that a final document was
achieved.
o Sign treaties
Method 1
Amendment
Proposed by 2/3rds
Vote in Each House
of Congress
APPROVAL: APPROVAL:
Ratified by 3/4ths of Ratified by
the State Legislatures OR Constitutional
Conventions in 3/4ths
of the States
Method 2
Amendment
Proposed at a
National
Constitutional
Convention
APPROVAL: APPROVAL:
Ratified by 3/4ths of Ratified by
the State Legislatures OR Constitutional
Conventions in 3/4ths
of the States
Other Amendments
Outside of the Bill of Rights there are 17 other amendments to the Constitution. All of
the remaining amendments are outlined in the chart below. Those amendments which
are considered the most significant to review for the exam are highlighted with colored
backgrounds.
Proposed
Provisions/Rights Historic Roots
Amendment
This amendment gained
popular support following
the feminism movement
of the 1960's and 70's. It
was eventually deemed
unnecessary, as the
Equal • Proposed a
Supreme Court has
Rights guarantee of
interpreted the 14th
Amendment equal rights
amendment's equal
(E.R.A.) for women
protection provision to
apply to women and other
groups of minority status,
effectively accomplishing
much of what the E.R.A.
would have provided.
Flag • Proposed to In the Supreme Court case
Burning outlaw the Texas v. Johnson (1990),
burning of the the court ruled that
US flag burning the US flag was
protected speech under the
1st amendment. As such,
outlawing such speech
would require an
amendment. This proposal
has come up many time in
the 1990's and continues
to be a proposal under
consideration.
Monumental Legislation
Introduction
Many of the most significant changes in American history have been brought about or
resulted in legislative changes. The power of the law to positively effect the lives of the
American people, safeguard civil liberties or maintain the American system is a
fundamental notion in the Constitution.
While there are literally thousands of laws passed in American history, there are a few
major pieces that stand out as noteworthy for the changes set in motion or the
Constitutional principles exemplified. They are examples that commonly appear on the
regents examination.
Explanation: Tariffs are taxes placed upon goods being imported into a nation. The
imported goods then have a higher total price (after the tax) then similar goods
manufactured within the nation itself. This protects the domestic manufactures from
having to compete with lower priced, foreign made products. This concept has been
applied many time in US history (it was part of Hamilton’s economic plan; the Tariff
of 1828 was highly unpopular; tariffs were also applied in the 1920’s and are seen as
a contributing factor in the great depression.)
Age of Jackson: Question 2 of 7
“. . . the American continents, by the free and independent condition which they have
assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for future
colonization by any European powers. . . .” — President James Monroe, 1823 Which
President later built on the idea expressed in this quotation?
1. Abraham Lincoln
2. Theodore Roosevelt
3. Harry Truman
4. Richard Nixon
Explanation:
A major reason for the issuance of the Monroe Doctrine (1823) was to
Explanation:
One way in which the Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions (1798) and the South
Carolina Ordinance of Nullification (1832) are similar is that each
1. claimed that individual states have the right to interpret federal laws
2. formed part of the unwritten constitution
3. supported the federal government’s power to declare war
4. provided a way for new states to enter the Union
During the early 1800s, which factor contributed the most to the start of the Industrial
Revolution in the United States?
Explanation: Waterways, coal reserves as well as ready timber forests fueled the
early growth and industrial capabilities of the US during the early 1800's as the
nation emerged from the 'Era of Good Feelings' brought on by the War of 1812.
Explanation: The 'Transportation Revolution' of the early 1800's saw the growth of
canals (such as the Erie Canal of New York State), turnpikes (toll roads constructed
by many states) and later into the 1830's and 1840's rail. This encouraged regional
specialization among the Northern, Southern and Western regions of the nation, as
goods, crops and manufactured items flowed more easily between areas.
The speakers below are discussing foreign policies that the United States has
followed at various times. Base your answers on their statements and on your
knowledge of social studies.
Speaker A: Steer clear of permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.
Speaker B: The United States will give economic aid to needy countries anywhere in
the world, but will not provide military aid.
Speaker C: The United States must prevent the growth of communism.
Speaker D: The United States can take over other countries to help them become
more like us.
Which speaker states a policy most similar to the foreign policy advice given by
President George Washington in his Farewell Address?
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
When John Marshall was Chief Justice, United States Supreme Court decisions
tended to strengthen the power of
Explanation: John Marshall had been nominated by John Adams and was a strong
Federalist judge. As Chief Justice, Marshall moved the Supreme Court to decisions
that favored and strengthened the Federal Government and its superiority over the
states. Decisions such as McCulloch v. Maryland (1819), Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)
and others are testimony to this expansion and protection of the federal government.
Alexander Hamilton’s argument that the government has the power to create a
National Bank is based on which part of the Constitution?
1. the Preamble
2. the elastic clause
3. guarantees to the States
4. the Bill of Rights
Explanation: The elastic clause or the necessary and proper clause in the
Constitution, allows Congress to expand its powers beyond the actual text of the
Constitution in order to carry out its duties of running the nation. In the case of the
National Bank, Hamilton argued that creating the bank fell within the realm of a
necessary and proper action, needed to effectively manage the US economy. The
bank would remain a divisive issue in early American history as opinions differed
over the legality of its creation. It was the center of the Supreme Court case
McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) and the “Bank War” under President Andrew
Jackson.
-Alexander Hamilton
Speaker A:"We must take action even if we are not sure it will work. To do nothing
to stop them would be a repeat of the Munich mistake."
Speaker B:"We must recognize the increasing interdependence of nations and join
the United Nations."
Speaker C:"Stopping the spread of communism can and must take several forms. We
must be willing to do whatever is necessary."
Speaker D:"Involvement in European affairs would be a mistake. We should not
jeopardize our peace and prosperity over issues that Europe’s ambitions and rivalries
control."
Which speaker best describes the basic foreign policy of the United States until the
late 1800’s?
1. Speaker A
2. Speaker B
3. Speaker C
4. Speaker D
President Washington made this statement to warn against United States involvement
in
The significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison is that the decision
1. labor unions
2. manufacturing
3. agriculture
4. slavery
Explanation:
Federalist Era: Question 10 of 16
What was the result of many of the Supreme Court decisions made under Chief
Justice John Marshall between 1801 and 1835?
Explanation:
“It is emphatically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the
law is. . . .” — Marbury v. Madison, 1803 This statement expresses the Supreme
Court’s claim that
Explanation:
Alexander Hamilton’s financial plan helped to establish the credit of the United
States government by
Explanation:
One factor that led to the formation of the first two political parties in the United
States in the 1790s was the conflict over the
Explanation:
One major reason that Alexander Hamilton proposed a national bank was to
Explanation:
A major reason the Antifederalists opposed the ratification of the United States
Constitution was because the Constitution
Explanation:
1. the United States needed time to gain economic and military strength
2. treaties were prohibited by the Constitution
3. the United States should not expand by force
4. alliances should be established with both France and England
Explanation:
Which idea is illustrated by the Supreme Court cases Schenck v. United States and
Korematsu v . United States?
The Dred Scott decision on the issue of slavery upheld the Southern viewpoint that
1. the power of the Supreme Court does not extend to cases of race
2. Congress could not pass a law depriving territorial residents of their property
3. a national vote should be held to decide the legality of slavery
4. the economic well-being of the western states depended on slave labor
Explanation: The Supreme Court ruled in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) that blacks
were not citizens and that slaves were property and could be taken anywhere,
regardless of a state’s status as free or slave holding. This also served to declare the
Missouri Compromise unconstitutional due to its establishment of free/slave state
borders. This decision was ultimately nullified by the passage of the 13th amendment
feeing the slaves and the 14th amendment establishing citizenship and equal
protection under the law.
The decisions of the United States Supreme Court in Miranda v. Arizona, Gideon v.
Wainwright, and Escobedo v. Illinois all advanced the
Explanation: In numerous decisions the Warren Court was active in expanding the
rights of the accused. The most famous of these was the 1966 Miranda v. Arizona
decision that established a suspect’s right to be informed of his or her rights. Many
cases such as Mapp v. Ohio (right against illegal search and seizure) Gideon v.
Wainwright (right to counsel) and others further helped establish Earl Warren’s
legacy as an activist Chief Justice.
Explanation: When the Supreme Court struck down several provisions of FDR’s
New Deal in the 1935 Schecter Poultry v. US case and the 1936 US v. Butler
decision, they were exercising a check upon the Legislature and the Executive
branches by declaring laws of the Congress and actions of the President
unconstitutional. FDR's reaction to these events was an attempt to "pack the court"
with his supports. He first attempted to pass a retirement age for justices (which
would have forced many to step-down) and later attempted to increase the number of
justices to 12. Both tactics failed and the resulting backlash against FDR's attempt to
usurp the Court resulted in a loss of support for The New Deal programs in Congress.
Under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the Supreme Court was considered "activist"
because of its
Explanation: In numerous decisions the Warren Court was active in expanding the
rights of the accused. The most famous of these was the 1966 Miranda v. Arizona
decision that established a suspect’s right to be informed of his or her rights. Many
cases such as Mapp v. Ohio (right against illegal search and seizure) Gideon v.
Wainwright (right to counsel) and others further helped establish Earl Warren’s
legacy as an activist Chief Justice.
“The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely
shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic." -Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes
”Which interpretation of the Bill of Rights does this statement illustrate?
1. The needs of the government are more important than civil liberties.
2. Constitutional protections of liberty are not absolute.
3. The Supreme Court can eliminate freedoms listed in the Bill of Rights.
4. The Bill of Rights does not safeguard individual liberties.
Explanation: The civil liberties granted by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and
other amendments are not absolute. This means that they may be limited or
suspended depending on circumstance or situation, usually in cases of national
emergency (examples include: suspension of habeas corpus by Lincoln during the
Civil War, limiting of freedom of speech and press during World War I and the
internment of Japanese-Americans without dues process during World War II).
Which generalization is consistent with the ruling of the United States Supreme
Court in Schenck v. United States?
The significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison is that the decision
Explanation: The ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) established that “separate but
equal” facilities were legal (thereby upholding the Jim Crow laws of Southern states)
and was later overturned in the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education
of Topeka, Kansas ruling.
The decision of the United States Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison (1803)
established the power of the
Explanation:
What was the result of many of the Supreme Court decisions made under Chief
Justice John Marshall between 1801 and 1835?
Explanation:
Explanation:
1. a speedy trial
2. reasonable bail
3. a reading of his or her rights at the time of arrest
4. protection against cruel or unusual punishment
Explanation:
The Supreme Court decisions in Mapp v. Ohio, Gideon v. Wainright, and Miranda v.
Arizona all expanded
Explanation:
Landmark Supreme Court Cases: Question 16 of 36
The police enter an individual’s home without invitation or a warrant and seize
evidence to be used against the individual. Which Supreme Court decision may be
used to rule this evidence inadmissible in court?
1. Baker v. Carr
2. Gideon v. Wainwright
3. Mapp v. Ohio
4. Roe v. Wade
Explanation:
Explanation:
The case of John Peter Zenger (1735) and New York Times Co. v. United States
(1971) both involved a government’s attempt to limit
1. freedom of religion
2. freedom of the press
3. the right to bear arms
4. the right to counsel
Correct Answer Number: 2
Explanation:
The Supreme Court cases of Tinker v. Des Moines and New Jersey v. TLO involved
the issue of
Explanation:
The decisions of the United States Supreme Court in Tinker v. Des Moines and New
York Times Co. v. United States were based on interpretations of the
Explanation:
The Supreme Court decision in Roe v. Wade (1973) was based on the constitutional
principle of
Explanation:
The Supreme Court decisions in New York Times Co. v. United States (1971) and
United States v. Nixon (1974) reinforced the principle that the president of the United
States
Explanation:
Explanation:
In the 1960s, Supreme Court decisions in the cases Miranda v. Arizona and Gideon v.
Wainwright specifically protected the rights of
1. the accused
2. women
3. military veterans
4. persons with disabilities
Explanation:
The Jim Crow legal system, which expanded in the South after Plessy v. Ferguson
(1896), was based on the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the
Explanation:
Explanation:
Explanation:
Explanation:
The Supreme Court decision in Schenck v. United States (1919) stated that
Explanation:
The cartoonist is commenting on public reaction to the Supreme Court decision that
1. restricted attendance in churches
2. mandated home-based prayer
3. declared school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional
4. banned public observance of religious holidays
Explanation:
In Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) and Miranda v. Arizona (1966), the Supreme Court
ruled that persons convicted of crimes had been
Explanation:
The Supreme Court ruling in Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) helped to increase
sectional conflict because the decision
Explanation: The Dred Scott decision invalidated the Missouri Compromise of 1820
by affirming the status of property to slaves no matter what part of the nation (slave
or free) they were taken to. This essentially denied Congress any power to regulate
slavery in the growing western territories and enflamed already growing tensions
over the slavery that would soon ignite the Civil War.
The Supreme Court cases of Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) and Miranda v. Arizona
(1966) dealt with the constitutional principle of
1. freedom of religion
2. freedom from unreasonable search
3. separation of powers
4. rights of the accused
Explanation:
Many of the decisions made by the Supreme Court while John Marshall was Chief
Justice led directly to
Explanation:
In Schenck v. United States (1919), the Supreme Court decided that a “clear and
present danger” to the country allowed the federal government to
1. establish a peacetime draft
2. restrict first amendment rights
3. suspend habeas corpus
4. limit minority voting rights
Explanation:
One similarity between the laws being challenged in the United States
Supreme Court cases of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) and Korematsu v.
United States (1944) is that
Explanation:
Multiple-Choice Questions
| Thematic Review | Multiple-Choice | Essays | Resources | Exam Overview | Old Exams | Study
Materials |
In the 1780’s, mqany Americans distrusted a strong central government. This distrust
is best shown by the
"We hold these truths to be self-evident: That all men are created equal; that they are
endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; . . ."
This quotation is evidence that some of the basic ideas in the Declaration of
Independence were
Explanation: Enlightenment thinker John Locke stated in his Two Treatises, that
people had natural right including life, liberty, and property. This philosophy was
adopted by Jefferson and incorporated into his writing of the Declaration of
Independence.
The authors of the United States Constitution believed that the voice of the people
should be heard frequently. Which part of the Government was instituted to respond
most directly to the will of the people?
1. Senate
2. House of Representatives
3. Supreme Court
4. Presidency
Explanation: Prior to the passage of the 17th Amendment in 1913, which provided
for direct election of U.S. Senators, members of the House of Representatives were
the only Federal officials that were voted into office by a popular vote of the people.
Before 1913, U.S. Senators were elected by state legislatures. The President has been
elected to office through the Electoral College since 1789.
In the United States, the use of implied powers, the amending process, and Supreme
Court interpretations have resulted in
Explanation: Implied powers are roles and abilities allowed the federal government,
but that are not actually addressed in the Constitution (an example would be the
regulation of monopolies). Amending the Constitution involves adding to or
changing what is in the document. The Supreme Court looks at the “spirit” of the law
and decides if an action or law is allowable under the Constitution. All of these have
created a “living document” that is capable of changing over time to better fit the
needs of the US people.
Formation of Government: Question 5 of 161
Which quotation from the United States Constitution provides for a Federal system of
government?
1. “He shall have power . . . with the advice and consent of the Senate, . . .
and . . . shall appoint . . .“
2. “Every bill . . . shall, before it becomes a law, be presented to the President of
the United States; . . ."
3. “The powers not delegated to the United States . . . are reserved to the
states . . .“
4. “Full faith and credit shall be given in each state to the public acts, records,
and judicial proceedings of every other state.”
Explanation: Checking and balancing involves the ability of each of the three
branches of government to regulate and monitor the power of the others. In this case
the ability to veto a law ensures that the legislative branch is not passing laws the go
beyond their duties or powers. The president can “check” their actions by rejecting
the legislation.
Explanation: The unwritten Constitution has come about through custom and usage
over the past 200+ years. It implies that there are ideas; actions and concepts that are
not actually in the Constitution itself, but that have arisen as a natural extension of its
use. The cabinet is not directly addressed in the document, but has arisen over time as
a means of advising the president.
A lasting impact of the United States Supreme Court under Chief Justice John
Marshall is that the Court’s decisions
Explanation: The Marshall Court made decisions that served to expand federal
power. The ruling in Marbury v. Madison (1803) established the court’s power to
strike down laws as unconstitutional (judicial review). The ruling in McCulloch v.
Maryland (1819) established federal supremacy in economic matters. Both of these
worked to expand the scope and reach of the US federal government and ensure its
supremacy over state governments.
Explanation: Political parties serve as the mechanisms for selecting and promoting
candidates for public office. Modern political parties have evolved over time and
were not originally seen or addressed in the drafting of the Constitution. As such, all
laws and rules regulating their actions have grown from the “unwritten” Constitution.
Explanation: It is not within the power of the president to spend monies without the
approval of the House (in which all spending bills arise). It also not within the
president’s powers to negotiate the expansion of the US (that would fall to the
Congress). When Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase (1803), he was
“stretching” the boundaries of the Constitution (a concept he personally opposed).
The ability to “stretch” the Constitution implies a “loose interpretation” of the
Constitution’s intent. A “strict interpretation” allows for only what is actually in the
Constitution with no interpretations.
Which factor has made the strongest contribution to the development of religious
freedom in the United States?
Which phrase from the Declaration of Independence most clearly reflects the idea
that the people are the source of government?
Explanation: The consent of the governed is an idea born of the enlightenment and
the writings of John Locke. This is the idea that a government gains its power via the
willingness of the people to support it. The US system expresses this notion by
holding elections in which the people (the governed) select their representatives to
govern (there by giving consent).
One way in which the United States Constitution differed from the Articles of
Confederation was that the Constitution
At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, delegates from the small states most
strongly supported the idea of
Explanation: Smaller states such as New Jersey feared domination of the national
government by larger, more populous states. At the convention, smaller states argued
for equal representation in government as to ensure their power. Larger states, such
as Virginia, argued for representation based on population owing to their greater
numbers and larger economies. “The Great Compromise” created a bicameral (or
two-house) legislature (Congress) in which the upper house (the Senate) is based on
equal representation (2 Senators from each state) and the lower house (The House of
Representatives) is based on proportional representation related to population.
Which argument did the authors of the United States Constitution use when they
insisted that revenue bills originate in the House of Representatives?
1. Frequent elections would make members of the House more responsive to the
wishes of the voters.
2. Members of the House would have a superior understanding of economics.
3. The national budget should be determined solely by the House of
Representatives.
4. Political parties would have less influence on Members of the House than on
Senators.
One way in which the authors of the Constitution tried to create “limited
government” was by providing for
The elastic clause, the amending process, and judicial review are all methods by
which
“The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in falsely
shouting fire in a theater and causing a panic.”
1. The needs of the government are more important than civil liberties.
2. Constitutional protections of liberty are not absolute.
3. The Supreme Court can eliminate freedoms listed in the Bill of Rights.
4. The Bill of Rights does not safeguard individual liberties.
Explanation: The civil liberties granted by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and
other amendments are not absolute. This means that they may be limited or
suspended depending on circumstance or situation, usually in cases of national
emergency (examples include: suspension of habeas corpus by Lincoln during the
Civil War, limiting of freedom of speech and press during World War I and the
internment of Japanese-Americans without dues process during World War II).
Which action was necessary to change from the indirect to the direct election of
United States Senators?
Explanation: The original text of the Constitution called for the election of a state’s
senators to be dome by the state’s legislature. This was changed in the 17th
amendment that called for Senators to be elected directly by the people of the states.
This was a key expansion of democracy and citizen participation, as well as a way of
reducing the power and influence of political machines.
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are
endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Explanation: The writings of John Locke and other authors of the Enlightenment
expressed the idea of “The Consent of the Governed” and “Natural Rights”. Natural
Rights are those rights all men are born with and that should be protected by a fair
and just government. Locke called for “Life, Liberty and Property” as natural rights.
Jefferson borrowed this idea for incorporation into the Declaration of Independence.
Explanation: A federal system divides governmental power and control into varies
levels. In the US example the Federal Government, State Governments and Local
Governments all divide an share power. One other component of this is the
superiority of the Federal Government’s power, as seen in the superiority clause of
the Constitution.
1. State legislatures
2. President’s Cabinet
3. delegates to the Constitutional Convention
4. National Government
“In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great
difficulty lies in this, you must first enable the government to control the governed;
and in the next place, oblige it to control itself.”
This passage from the Federalist Papers refers to the need for
1. a strong executive
2. a system of checks and balances
3. an independent military
4. a national education system
A member of the United States Congress must resign from Congress if elected or
appointed to a position in the executive or judicial branch. This requirement is an
example of
The two major political parties make their final selection of a Presidential candidate
through
Explanation: In order to make the selection of party candidates more fair and open, a
primary system was established. This allows for voters and party members to aid in
the party’s candidate selection by participating in a primary vote. The results of the
party’s primaries are tallied at a national convention, at which time the party’s
candidate is selected.
Explanation: A federal system divides governmental power and control into varies
levels. In the US example the Federal Government, State Governments and Local
Governments all divide and share power. One other component of this is the
superiority of the Federal Government’s power, as seen in the superiority clause of
the Constitution.
1. police powers
2. reserved powers
3. delegated powers
4. concurrent powers
Which action would be necessary before the government could deny a person a
public trial by an impartial jury?
1. a national referendum
2. passage of a law by Congress
3. a unanimous ruling by the Supreme Court
4. ratification of a constitutional amendment
Explanation: A speedy and public trial by an impartial jury is guaranteed by the 6th
amendment. Denying a right contained within the Constitution or a Constitutional
Amendment requires a further amendment to the Constitution that specifically
removes or adjusts the right in question.
In the United States Government, members of the Cabinet are directly responsible to
the
1. Congress
2. Senate
3. Supreme Court
4. President
Explanation: The Cabinet is composed of all the heads of the 14 “cabinet level”
departments within the executive branch (ex. Dept. of Justice, Dept. of State, Dept. of
Defense). The Cabinet members serve as advisors and answer to the President, as
head of the executive branch.
The equal protection clause of the 14th amendment has been used to challenge the
death penalty on the grounds that
Explanation: The 14th Amendment’s guarantee of “equal protection under the law”
demands that application of law be the same regardless of the citizen it is being
applied to. In the case of the death penalty, protestors have claimed that system is
biased by race, sex and socioeconomic status and as a result fails to be applied in an
equal manner.
Explanation: All three of the examples stated are clearly linked with decisions of the
Supreme Court on desegregation of public school, a women’s right to choice/privacy
and freedom of speech/expression. The reason for this reaction would be the fact that
only by changing (amending) the Constitution can it be assured that the Supreme
Court will reconsider its decision on the legality of a law or action.
Which historical event best demonstrates the operation of checks and balances?
Explanation: One “check” the Legislative Branch has upon the Judicial Branch (and
over the Executive as well) is the approval of judges nominated by the President.
Formation of Government: Question 41 of 161
During the debates over the ratification of the United States Constitution, Federalists
and Anti-Federalists disagreed most strongly over the
Which constitutional provision was intended to give the people the most influence
over the Federal Government?
1. President’s duty to give Congress information about the state of the Union
2. electoral college system for choosing the President
3. direct election of members of the House of Representatives for two-year
terms
4. process for proposing and ratifying amendments to the Constitution
Explanation: Under the original provisions of the Constitution, this was the only
direct election of any Federal representative that the people participated in. The
Presidential system was in direct via the Electoral College and Senators were selected
by a state’s legislature.
One similarity between the United States Constitution and the New York State
Constitution is that both
1. provide methods for dealing with foreign powers
2. authorize the coinage of money
3. establish rules for public education
4. separate the branches of government
The major political parties in the United States obtain most of their national
campaign funds from
When the United States Constitution was written, which compromise was reached by
the authors to gain the support of the states with small populations?
Explanation: Smaller states such as New Jersey feared domination of the national
government by larger, more populous states. At the convention, smaller states argued
for equal representation in government as to ensure their power. Larger states, such
as Virginia, argued for representation based on population owing to their greater
numbers and larger economies. “The Great Compromise” created a bicameral (or
two-house) legislature (Congress) in which the upper house (the Senate) is based on
equal representation (2 Senators from each state) and the lower house (The House of
Representatives) is based on proportional representation related to population.
These headlines are evidence that the President of the United States
Explanation: The roles and powers of the President are specifically addressed in
Article II of the Constitution. The President is specifically granted powers as
Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, as Chief Executive of federal agencies, as
Chief Legislator to recommend legislation, as well as a variety of other roles.
Explanation: In order to divide and balance power on the federal level, each branch
has a variety of ways to “check” the others. While the President is specifically
granted the power to make treaties, the Senate is granted the check of approval and
the Supreme Court is granted the further check of judicial review over ratified treaties
(to evaluate their constitutionality).
The United States Constitution requires that a census be taken every ten years to
reapportion
Explanation: A bill cannot pass out of the Congress until both houses (House and
Senate) have passed identical pieces of legislation. When differences in House and
Senate versions arise, a reconciliation committee is convened with representation
from both houses and an attempt is made at compromise between the competing
versions which are then sent back for re-approval by the House and Senate
separately.
"The privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in
cases of rebellion or invasion the public safety may require it."
This provision is evidence that the writers of the United States Constitution
Explanation: The civil liberties granted by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and
other amendments are not absolute. This means that they may be limited or
suspended depending on circumstance or situation, usually in cases of national
emergency (examples include: suspension of habeas corpus by Lincoln during the
Civil War, limiting of freedom of speech and press during World War I and the
internment of Japanese-Americans without dues process during World War II).
In the United States, activities such as Cabinet meetings and political party
conventions are best described as
Which idea had a major influence on the authors of the Articles of Confederation?
1. A strong central government threatens the rights of the people and the states.
2. All of the people must be granted the right to vote.
3. Three branches of government are needed to protect liberty.
4. The central government must have the power to levy taxes and to control
trade.
Speaker A:"States must be represented in the national government solely on the basis
of population. It is indeed the only fair situation."
Speaker C:"States must accept the supremacy of the national government on all
issues; otherwise, the system will fail."
Speaker D:"The national Congress should consist of two houses: one in which
representation is based on population, and one in which states are equally
represented."
Which document was being written when this discussion most likely occurred?
1. Declaration of Independence
2. United States Constitution
3. Covenant of the League of Nations
4. Charter of the United Nations
Explanation: Smaller states such as New Jersey feared domination of the national
government by larger, more populous states. At the convention, smaller states argued
for equal representation in government as to ensure their power. Larger states, such
as Virginia, argued for representation based on population owing to their greater
numbers and larger economies. “The Great Compromise” created a bicameral (or
two-house) legislature (Congress) in which the upper house (the Senate) is based on
equal representation (2 Senators from each state) and the lower house (The House of
Representatives) is based on proportional representation related to population. The
founding fathers feared an all-powerful national government (as England had been).
So in creating the Constitution they felt a need to balance power between three
branches of government, each with specific, exclusive duties and powers. In order to
keep any one branch from dominating the national government, a system of “checks
and balances” insured that each branch had the ability to oversee the powers and
actions of the others. This also includes the provision referred to in the question. By
keeping the people, powers and actions of the three branches clearly separated, no
one branch or one individual is able to dominate or control the federal system.
Formation of Government: Question 59 of 161
Speaker A:"States must be represented in the national government solely on the basis
of population. It is indeed the only fair situation."
Speaker C:"States must accept the supremacy of the national government on all
issues; otherwise, the system will fail."
Speaker D:"The national Congress should consist of two houses: one in which
representation is based on population, and one in which states are equally
represented."
Which speaker’s idea about representation was actually included in the U.S.
Constitution?
1. Speaker A
2. Speaker B
3. Speaker C
4. Speaker D
Explanation: Smaller states such as New Jersey feared domination of the national
government by larger, more populous states. At the convention, smaller states argued
for equal representation in government as to ensure their power. Larger states, such
as Virginia, argued for representation based on population owing to their greater
numbers and larger economies. “The Great Compromise” created a bicameral (or
two-house) legislature (Congress) in which the upper house (the Senate) is based on
equal representation (2 Senators from each state) and the lower house (The House of
Representatives) is based on proportional representation related to population.
The majority of cases heard by the United States Supreme Court come to the Court
because of its constitutional power to
Explanation: The Supreme Court serves mostly as an appellate court and hears the
vast majority of its cases as appeals from lower Federal or State courts. The Supreme
Court does not determine guilt or innocence (point-of-fact) as a lower court may,
instead the Supreme Court rules on the law itself or how the law was carried out
(point-of-law). The Supreme Court does have original jurisdiction in cases of a state
versus state matter or in a case of one branch of federal government versus another
(ex. US vs. Nixon), but this is a very limited number of cases the court rules upon.
The major reason the Bill of Rights was added to the United States Constitution was
to
Once an amendment has been added to the United States Constitution, which process
must be used to change that amendment?
Which governmental practice established under the unwritten constitution was later
included in the written Constitution by an amendment?
1. appointing members of the Cabinet
2. exercising judicial review
3. holding political party conventions
4. limiting the President’s time in office to two terms
Which statement best explains why critics have called for a change in the electoral
college system?
1. A person who did not receive the largest percentage of popular votes can be
elected President.
2. The system is a threat to the two-party system.
3. Electors often vote for candidates not listed on the ballot.
4. States with small populations have greater influence on Presidential elections
than more populated states do.
In United States history, the phrase "a government of laws, not of men" has been
used to express the idea that
Explanation: The 14th Amendment’s guarantee of “equal protection under the law”
demands that application of law be the same regardless of the citizen it is being
applied to. This idea is intended to remove any potential bias and descrimination
from the application of law. The quote above refers to this ideal in modern American
democracy.
John Locke’s theory of the social contract, as developed in the United States
Declaration of Independence, stated that
1. the people should revolt against a government that did not protect their rights
2. monarchs could rule autocratically, but they had to grant certain rights to their
subjects
3. legislatures should have more power than kings
4. government should guarantee equal economic conditions to all people
Explanation: The writings of John Locke and other authors of the Enlightenment
expressed the idea of “The Consent of the Governed” and “Natural Rights”. Natural
Rights are those rights all men are born with and that should be protected by a fair
and just government. Locke called for “Life Liberty and Property” as natural rights.
Jefferson borrowed this idea for incorporation into the Declaration of Independence.
Rousseau also maintained that a “Social Contract” existed between government and
the governed and when government failed to protect rights, a revolution was in order.
Which statement best explains why the Articles of Confederation established a weak
rather than a strong central government?
Which action in the process of electing a President of the United States is provided
for in the Federal Constitution?
After the President has proposed the Federal budget, the next step in the process of
adopting the budget is to submit it to the
1. Internal Revenue Service
2. Treasury Department
3. Cabinet
4. House of Representatives
Explanation: The House must originate all spending bills, as to better represent the
will of the majority of Americans and their monies.
Which method resulted in both "separate but equal" public facilities (1896) and
Miranda warnings against self-incrimination (1966)?
Explanation: The ruling in Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) established that “separate but
equal” facilities were legal (thereby upholding the Jim Crow laws of Southern states)
and was later overturned in the Supreme Court’s 1954 Brown v. Board of Education
of Topeka Kansas ruling. The “Miranda warning” issued to suspects upon arrest was
established in the 1966 Miranda v. Arizona decision.
The clash between President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the United States Supreme
Court over New Deal laws best illustrates the operation of
1. federalism
2. due process
3. checks and balances
4. the two-party system
Explanation: The roles and powers of the President are specifically addressed in
Article II of the Constitution. The President is specifically granted powers as Chief
Diplomat in which he serves the United States representative to foreign nations and
negotiates treaties and agreements, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, as
Chief Executive of federal agencies, as Chief Legislator to recommend legislation, as
well as a variety of other roles.
The 14th Amendment provides that no "state [shall] deprive any person of life,
liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its
jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws." A direct result of this amendment was
that
1. the process of amending the Constitution became slower and more complex
2. the guarantees in the Bill of Rights were applied to state actions
3. every citizen gained an absolute right to freedom of speech and assembly
4. the power of the Federal Government was sharply reduced
Correct Answer Number: 2
Explanation: The 14th Amendment’s guarantee of “equal protection under the law”
demands that application of law be the same regardless of the citizen it is being
applied to. For example, in the case of a state's administration of the death penalty,
protestors have claimed that system is biased by race, sex and socioeconomic status
and as a result fails to be applied in an equal manner
The "clear and present danger" ruling in the Supreme Court case Schenck v. United
States (1919) confirmed the idea that
Explanation: The civil liberties granted by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and
other amendments are not absolute. This means that they may be limited or
suspended depending on circumstance or situation, usually in cases of national
emergency (examples include: suspension of habeas corpus by Lincoln during the
Civil War, limiting of freedom of speech and press during World War I and the
internment of Japanese-Americans without dues process during World War II).
Under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the Supreme Court was considered "activist"
because of its
Explanation: In numerous decisions the Warren Court was active in expanding the
rights of the accused. The most famous of these was the 1966 Miranda v. Arizona
decision that established a suspect’s right to be informed of his or her rights. Many
cases such as Mapp v. Ohio (right against illegal search and seizure) Gideon v.
Wainwright (right to counsel) and others further helped establish Earl Warren’s
legacy as an activist Chief Justice.
Explanation: The writings of John Locke and other authors of the Enlightenment
expressed the idea of “The Consent of the Governed” and “Natural Rights”. Natural
Rights are those rights all men are born with and that should be protected by a fair
and just government. Locke called for “Life Liberty and Property” as natural rights.
Jefferson borrowed this idea for incorporation into the Declaration of Independence.
In stating the principle of a "clear and present danger" in Schenck v. United States,
the Supreme Court established that
Explanation: The civil liberties granted by the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and
other amendments are not absolute. This means that they may be limited or
suspended depending on circumstance or situation, usually in cases of national
emergency (examples include: suspension of habeas corpus by Lincoln during the
Civil War, limiting of freedom of speech and press during World War I and the
internment of Japanese-Americans without dues process during World War II).
When President Dwight D. Eisenhower sent Federal troops to Little Rock, Arkansas,
during the 1957 school integration crisis, he was exercising his constitutional power
as
1. Chief Legislator
2. Commander-in-Chief
3. Chief Diplomat
4. Head of State
Explanation: The roles and powers of the President are specifically addressed in
Article II of the Constitution. The President is specifically granted powers as Chief
Diplomat in which he serves the United States representative to foreign nations and
negotiates treaties and agreements, as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces, as
Chief Executive of federal agencies, as Chief Legislator to recommend legislation, as
well as a variety of other roles.
The significance of the Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison is that the decision
Explanation: Judicial review allows the Supreme Court the power to determine the
Constitutionality of laws, treaties and actions as first expressed in Marbury v.
Madison (1803).
Formation of Government: Question 81 of 161
One similarity between the Articles of Confederation and the United States
Constitution is that both documents provide for
Explanation:
The amendment process was included in the United States Constitution in order to
Explanation:
Which concept from the European Enlightenment was included in the United States
Constitution?
1. absolutism
2. despotism
3. limited monarchy
4. consent of the governed
Explanation:
Formation of Government: Question 84 of 161
1. slavery
2. representation in Congress
3. interstate trade
4. taxation
Explanation:
A system of checks and balances was included in the United States Constitution
because the authors were concerned about
Explanation:
The writers of the United States Constitution created a federal form of government
primarily to
Explanation:
Explanation:
1. Enlightenment
2. Romantic Era
3. Renaissance
4. Age of Exploration
Explanation:
What was an important accomplishment of the central government under the Articles
of Confederation?
Explanation:
Which feature of the unwritten constitution is part of the system of checks and
balances?
1. the cabinet
2. judicial review
3. political parties
4. legislative lobbies
Explanation:
Explanation:
Soon after the Constitution of the United States was ratified, the first ten amendments
were added because many citizens felt the need for
Explanation:
The Federalist Papers were a series of newspaper articles published in 1787 and 1788
to win support for the
Explanation:
Explanation:
1. Declaration of Independence
2. Articles of Confederation
3. United States Constitution
4. Missouri Compromise
Explanation:
Explanation:
Explanation:
“. . . no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, . . . and particularly describing
the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” This section of the
4th Amendment to the United States Constitution addresses the issue of
1. states’ rights
2. separation of powers
3. implied powers
4. limits on governmental power
Explanation:
Formation of Government: Question 100 of 161
Explanation:
The lack of a national executive and judiciary under the Articles of Confederation
suggests that the founders of the American republic
Explanation:
The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are similar in that both
Explanation:
Formation of Government: Question 103 of 161
Speaker A: A leader is not ultimately responsible to the people but to God, from
whom the leader derives the right to govern. Speaker B: Each citizen is entitled to a
voice in government. Therefore, government should be run by those representatives
elected directly by the citizens so that the will of the citizens is expressed. Speaker C:
History has taught us that the concentration of political power leads to the abuse of
that power. Therefore, power should be divided among national, state, and local
governments. Speaker D: Life is a struggle. Those who seize and maintain political
power represent the strongest and most competent of that society and earn the right to
govern. The principle of federalism contained in the Constitution of the United States
is most consistent with the ideas of Speaker
1. A
2. B
3. C
4. D
Explanation:
Speaker A: A leader is not ultimately responsible to the people but to God, from
whom the leader derives the right to govern. Speaker B: Each citizen is entitled to a
voice in government. Therefore, government should be run by those representatives
elected directly by the citizens so that the will of the citizens is expressed. Speaker C:
History has taught us that the concentration of political power leads to the abuse of
that power. Therefore, power should be divided among national, state, and local
governments. Speaker D: Life is a struggle. Those who seize and maintain political
power represent the strongest and most competent of that society and earn the right to
govern. Over the course of its history, the United States has advanced the goal of
Speaker B by
Explanation:
Explanation:
The implied powers suggested by the United States Constitution show that the writers
recognized the
Explanation:
Explanation:
Under the United States Constitution, state governments have the power to
1. coin money
2. license teachers
3. regulate interstate commerce
4. establish term limits for members of Congress
Explanation:
1. Supreme Court
2. United States Senate
3. House of Representatives
4. president
Explanation:
Which feature of the federal government is specifically described in the United States
Constitution?
1. president’s cabinet
2. two-party political system
3. congressional committee system
4. Senate approval of nominations to the Supreme Court
Explanation:
“. . . Congress shall have power . . . to make all Laws which shall be necessary and
proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested
by this Constitution in the Government of the United States. . . .” This statement from
the United States Constitution is the source of
1. veto power
2. implied powers
3. judicial review
4. states’ rights
Explanation:
The basic purpose of the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution is to
Explanation:
Formation of Government: Question 113 of 161
Explanation:
Explanation:
Which group had the most influence on the ideas stated in the Declaration of
Independence and United States Constitution?
The writers of the United States Constitution included the requirement for a census
every ten years primarily to
Explanation:
Which newspaper headline shows the operation of the system of checks and
balances?
Explanation:
The change to the direct election of senators, the lowering of the voting age to
eighteen, and the establishment of a two-term limit for presidents are all examples of
the use of
1. judicial review
2. checks and balances
3. executive privilege
4. the amendment process
Explanation:
One reason the United States Constitution is considered a flexible document is that it
Explanation:
1. Power was shared equally by the central government and the states.
2. A balance of power existed between the three branches of the central
government.
3. A strong chief executive headed a unified central government.
4. The states had much greater power than the central government.
Explanation:
Explanation:
At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the Great Compromise resolved the issue
of
1. representation
2. taxation
3. slavery
4. control of trade
Explanation:
The Federalist Papers were published in 1787 and 1788 to help gain support for
1. a bill of rights
2. the ratification of the Constitution
3. a weaker central government
4. the abolition of slavery and the slave trade
Explanation:
Explanation:
The due process clause in the 5th Amendment and the right to an attorney in the 6th
Amendment were designed to
Explanation:
1. delegated powers
2. checks and balances
3. judicial legislation
4. the unwritten constitution
Explanation:
Formation of Government: Question 127 of 161
Explanation:
The main criticism of the Articles of Confederation was that they failed to
Explanation:
To avoid having too much power concentrated in one branch of government, the
framers of the Constitution established
Explanation:
Explanation:
Which concept found in the United States Constitution was a belief held by the social
contract philosophers of the Enlightenment period?
1. presidential cabinet
2. judicial review
3. limited monarchy
4. sovereignty of the people
Explanation:
Explanation:
Which power is shared by the federal government and the New York State
government?
Explanation:
Explanation:
“The Congress shall have Power . . . To make all Laws which shall be necessary and
proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested
[granted] by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any
Department or Officer thereof. . . .” This section of the United States Constitution
was frequently used during the 20th century to
Explanation:
New York State and the United States have republican forms of government because
both have
1. a bill of rights
2. a written constitution
3. an elected legislature
4. three branches of government
Explanation:
Explanation:
During the Constitutional Convention of 1787, the plans for Congress proposed by
delegates from New Jersey and Virginia differed mainly over the issue of
Explanation:
Explanation:
Explanation:
1. a strong president
2. citizen participation in government
3. elected judges to conduct trials
4. a set of laws
Explanation:
Explanation:
Explanation:
1. popular sovereignty
2. equal representation
3. flexibility
4. ratification
Explanation:
One similarity between the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights is that
both documents
Explanation:
I.____________________________________
A. Representation
B. Slave trade
C. Taxation
D. Election of the president
Explanation:
1. separation of powers
2. federal supremacy
3. implied powers
4. due process
Explanation:
Explanation:
1. states’ rights
2. property rights
3. rights of the accused
4. rights of self-expression
Explanation:
At the Constitutional Convention of 1787, which problem was solved by the Great
Compromise?
Explanation:
In the United States Constitution, the power to impeach a federal government official
is given to the
1. House of Representatives
2. president
3. state legislatures
4. Supreme Court
Explanation:
Formation of Government: Question 154 of 161
Explanation:
Which statement is accurate about congressional bills vetoed between 1961 and
1993?
Explanation:
1. executive privilege
2. checks and balances
3. congressional immunity
4. federal supremacy
Explanation:
Explanation:
Disagreement at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 over the Virginia and New
Jersey plans was resolved by a compromise that
1. guaranteed continuation of the slave trade for at least twenty more years
2. limited the power of the federal government to wage war
3. provided for construction of a new national capital in the south
4. created a Congress made up of a Senate and a House of Representatives
Explanation:
Explanation:
“The United States shall guarantee to every state in this Union a republican form of
government, and shall protect each of them against invasion; and on application of
the legislature, or of the executive (when the legislature cannot be convened), against
domestic violence.” — United States Constitution, Article IV, Section 4 According to
this excerpt, a goal of the framers of the Constitution was to ensure that the United
States
Explanation:
1. presidential veto
2. United States Navy
3. federal postal system
4. president’s cabinet
Explanation:
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