2.12 Constitutional Underpinnings

Why did the First Congress add a Bill of Rights to the Constitution?

Because the ratification process had made it clear that the people wanted a list of rights incorporated into the document

Which of the following is an example of a concurrent power?

Chartering banks and corporations

Consider the following sequence of events: Congress passes a bill. The president vetoes it. Congress overrides the veto. The bill becomes a law. What constitutional principle is at work?

Checks and balances

What is the name of the system in which each branch of the U.S. government can limit the actions of the other branches?

Checks and balances

Which of the following is not an example of a check or balance put into the U.S. Constitution?

Congress reviews a judicial decision and overturns the Supreme Court ruling.

What was the Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention?

Congress was divided into two houses. The Senate was seated equally by state; the House of Representatives was seated by population.

What sort of federalism saw the state and federal governments work together to solve national problems?

Cooperative federalism

What powers does the Constitution explicitly give to the federal government?

Delegated powers

What is the structure of the American system of government is based on?

Enlightened Reason

What was conditional ratification?

Massachusetts and four other states ratified the Constitution with the condition that it would be amended soon after it went into effect.

Which of the following men was not present at the Constitutional Convention?

Patrick Henry

Which principle was included in most state constitutions?

Separation of powers; state constitutions had several branches of government

Which part of the U.S. Constitution lists some of the rights and liberties of the people and of the states?

The Bill of Rights

The Constitutional Convention was called to address the problems that the United States faced under the Articles of Confederation. Which was not a problem that led to the Convention?

The Northwest Ordinance

Laid out by Article II of the Constitution, this branch of government is responsible for putting laws into effect and making sure that they are followed. Which branch is it?

The executive branch

Which was an accomplishment of the United States government under the Articles of Confederation?

Fighting the American Revolution

Which amendment protects the freedoms of religion, speech, and the press? (Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof . . . abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.)

First

Which of the following events occurred first?

George III was crowned.

The ideas of which Enlightenment philosopher had the most direct impact on the American founders?

John Locke

What is the full faith and credit clause?

This clause requires the states to cooperate with each others' laws.