Chapter 2 InQuizitive: The Texas Constitution

The data in the following table best support which of the following conclusions?

Balancing the exercise of civil liberties against the protection of civil rights can lead to fractures in the public on how to proceed.

Place the following events in the history of Texas in order from oldest to most recent.

- Texas's independence from Mexico - state of Texas joins the United States - Civil War - Fourteenth Amendment ratified - Grange movement influences new Texas Constitution - Texas Equal Rights Amendment added to the state constitution

Relative to the U.S. Constitution, the Texas Constitution is _____ and adopts a tone of ________ governance.

- longer -limited

The authors of the Texas Constitution were influenced by the U.S. governing documents and the writers of The Federalist Papers, such as James Madison. Select the passages of Madison's text from Federalist 51 that reflect how government is structured to protect people from government becoming too powerful.

- usurpations are guarded against by a division of the government into distinct and separate departments. - divided between two distinct governments - subdivided among distinct and separate departments

Which of the following characteristics have been central in all of Texas's constitutions since Texas joined the United States?

Central in All of Texas's Constitutions: - federalism - individual rights - division of power - strong popular control Not Central in All of Texas's Constitutions: - strong government - flexibility

Match the each characteristic or provision to the constitution it belongs to: the Texas Constitution of 1845, the Texas Constitution of 1861, or the Texas Constitution of 1869.

Constitution of 1845: - detailed the original agreement for Texas's statehood - provided for possible emancipation of enslaved people Constitution of 1861: - made it illegal to free enslaved people - declared allegiance to the Confederacy Constitution of 1869: - was heavily influenced by Radical Republicans - created a much more powerful governor

What were some of the primary complaints by Texans about the Mexican government prior to declaring independence from Mexico?

Correct Answer(s): - Mexican policies limited immigration from the United States to Texas. - Texans felt they weren't given enough representation. - Education was often offered only in the Spanish language. Incorrect Answer(s): - The Mexican government had abolished the republican form of government. - Texans were being taxed to pay for the war with France.

Which elements were present in the Constitution of 1876?

Correct Answer(s): - limited state government powers - promotion of agrarian interests Incorrect Answer(s): - expanded powers for the governor - increased salaries for state officials

What important functions are performed by state constitutions?

Correct Answer(s): - specify the limits and uses of power by state institutions and individuals -divide authority within the political institutions of the state -clarify the source of a state's political power Incorrect Answer(s): -empower the Republican and Democratic parties within the state -establish limits on the influence of the federal government over states

Local governments in Texas, such as cities and counties, derive their authority from which sources?

Correct Answer(s): - the Texas Constitution - the citizens of Texas Incorrect Answer(s): - the U.S. Constitution - American citizens - the county commissioners' court - the residents of the city

The U.S. Constitution specifies how powers are allocated within state-level institutions.

False

What is the most consequential way in which Presidential Reconstruction differed from Congressional Reconstruction?

Presidential Reconstruction focused on returning the status quo of the past.

Why is voter participation in Texas constitutional amendment elections so low?

Reason Turnout Is Low: - There are no candidates on the ballot. - Many amendments are insignificant to voters. - The elections are held on off years from major general elections. Not a Reason Turnout is Low: - Few voters can pass the poll test. - Voters must separately register to vote in constitutional amendment elections.

Which statement best explains why certain states have the longest state constitutions?

States with narrowly written and restrictive constitutions generally have the longest state constitutions.

Before voters participate in a constitutional amendment election, what step must happen first?

The legislature votes to put the amendment on the ballot.

Match the clause characteristic to the amendment in which it is found.

Thirteenth Amendment: - ends slavery Fourteenth Amendment: - guarantees equal rights for people in all states - defines who is a citizen - forces states to follow due process to remove rights Fifteenth Amendment: - bans race discrimination in voting

What is the meaning of the term impeachment?

a charge of wrongdoing

Which of the following is the correct definition of the term unicameral?

a legislature that has only one body

Which of the following is the most accurate characterization of the current Texas Constitution?

a long and complex collection of specifically written policy

Which of the following is one of the most important themes of the Constitution of 1876?

limited spending