AP Gov Unit 1
The judicial branch of the U.S. government has been empowered by the Constitution to: A: Interpret laws B: Make laws C: Enforce laws D: Make, enforce, and interpret laws
A: Interpret laws
One example of checks and balances built into the U.S. Constitution is: A: Presidents declare war but state governments provide the troops B: Political parties nominate judges but the president approves them C: Federal judges propose bills but presidents sign them into law D: The president appoints federal judges but the Senate confirms them
D: The president appoints federal judges but the Senate confirms them
The U.S.'s tripartite government is laid out in Articles 1, 2 and 3 of the Constitution. Each article describes: A: A different branch of government B: A different function of the president C: A different legislative power D: A different type of national election
A: A different branch of government
The executive branch of the U.S. government has been empowered by the Constitution to: A: Enforce laws B: Make laws C: Interpret laws D: Make, enforce, and interpret laws
A: Enforce laws
The new U.S. constitution would endanger state powers once given under the Articles of Confederation. Compromises with respect to slavery would be necessary if the new constitution was to be ratified. This can be clearly seen in all of the following provisions EXCEPT: A: Federal compensation for voluntary manumission (or freeing of slaves) B: Fugitive slave laws C: Legal importation of slaves until 1807 D: Three-fifths formula when counting slaves for apportioning representation
A: Federal compensation for voluntary manumission (or freeing of slaves)
In opposition to the Federalists, Anti-Federalists argued that the seat of government should be found in: A: Local state governments B: Democratic centralized governments C: Authoritarian political machines D: Republican national governments
A: Local state governments
Which of the following Supreme Court cases provided the seminal interpretation for the following language found in the U.S. Constitution? "This Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, anything in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding." U.S. Constitution Article 6, Section 2 A: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) B: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) C: Marbury v. Madison (1803) D: Barron v. Baltimore (1833)
A: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
What did Thomas Jefferson mean when he stated: "The Constitution belongs to the living and not to the dead"? A: Meanings and interpretations evolve over time B: Each and every citizen should uniquely personalize the constitution C: The Constitution should be rewritten by every generation D: Meanings and interpretations are rooted in original contexts
A: Meanings and interpretations evolve over time
Compromise between the original 13 colonies in 1787 would prove to be difficult. There were numerous differences. Despite the political, economic and regional differences the 13 colonies could all agree on needing: A: Stronger functioning central government B: Weaker military industrial complex C: Stronger national bank D: Weaker national president
A: Stronger functioning central government
There have been many players involved in addressing "the American dilemma" of race relations. Public policy solutions addressing racial inequality have been long, complex and competitive. All of the following combinations are correctly matched EXCEPT: A: The State Department built relationships between competitive regions B: Supreme Court decisions broke down discrimination in American public schools C: The President enforced the Civil Rights Act of 1964 at the state-level D: Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964
A: The State Department built relationships between competitive regions
The story of American government is a story of national aggrandizement. What does this mean? A: The national government has grown in power at the expense of state and local governments B: State and local governments have grown in power at the expense of the national government C: Federalism no longer exists D: Governmental legitimacy has been replaced with national authority
A: The national government has grown in power at the expense of state and local governments
Despite the need for a stronger government, our Founding Fathers were wary of consolidating the functions of government. To protect against the abuse of power, the new U.S. Constitution made central: A: The separation of powers B: Federalism C: Judicial review D: A Bill of Rights
A: The separation of powers
All of the following were amendments passed following the Civil War that served to give the national government greater responsibility for the general welfare of the American people EXCEPT: A: the 17th Amendment B: the 13th Amendment C: the 14th Amendment D: the 15th Amendment
A: the 17th Amendment
Who was most emboldened by the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation to call for a new constitutional convention? A: the elite B: small farmer C: urban merchants D: military leaders
A: the elite
In Federalist No. 10, James Madison argued that the "mischief of factions" could best be controlled by: A: An energetic president B: A large republic C: Expanding suffrage D: Frequent elections
B: A large republic
The public policy cycle typically follows all of the following steps: A: Make law; enforce law; interpret law B: Agenda setting; formulate policy; legitimize the policy; implement the policy C: Make up problem; debate problem; fund the solution; vote on passage D: Legitimize difficulty; elites formulate a solution; authoritarian enforcement; autocratic interpretation
B: Agenda setting; formulate policy; legitimize the policy; implement the policy
The Declaration of Independence (1776) contained an argument that government should preserve: A: Political rights but not economic rights B: Both liberty and equality C: Equality but not liberty D: Liberty but not equality
B: Both liberty and equality
One way the Congress can check the Courts is to: A: Abolish the federal court system B: Change the size and jurisdiction of the federal courts C: Veto Supreme Court decisions D: Deny enforcement
B: Change the size and jurisdiction of the federal courts
All of the following terms related to allocation of power in the American governmental system are matched correctly EXCEPT: A: Reserved powers - given exclusively to the state governments B: Decentralized powers - exclusive power given to the President C: Delegated powers - given exclusively to the national government D: Concurrent powers - shared between national and state governments
B: Decentralized powers - exclusive power given to the President
If the president of the United States were to meet with high-tech leaders, Hollywood stars and media moguls to discuss how best to address the issue of education reform, what model of representative democracy would be represented? A: Pluralist democracy B: Elite democracy C: This is not an example of a democracy D: Participatory democracy
B: Elite democracy
James Madison in Federalist No. 10 wrote: "The inference to which we are brought is, that the causes of faction cannot be removed, and that relief is only to be sought in the means of controlling its effects." According to Madison, what was the best way to control the ill effects of factions? A: Build a small participatory democracy B: Encourage a large pluralist republic C: Attract groups of privileged elites D: Appeal to strong willed autocrats to govern
B: Encourage a large pluralist republic
Which of the following was the most important effect of replacing the Articles of Confederation with a new constitution? A: The creation of a strong judiciary B: Establishment of a strong national government C: The addition of a Bill of Rights D: The creation of strong state governments
B: Establishment of a strong national government
In Franklin Roosevelt's Second Inaugural Address he stated: We of the Republic sensed the truth that democratic government has innate capacity to protect its people against disasters once considered inevitable, to solve problems once considered unsolvable. We would not admit that we could not find a way to master economic epidemics just as, after centuries of fatalistic suffering, we had found a way to master epidemics of disease. We refused to leave the problems of our common welfare to be solved by the winds of chance and the hurricanes of disaster. What was President Roosevelt essentially saying? A: Good governments should acknowledge their limitations B: Good governments solve problems C: Good governments first and foremost protect elite interests D: Good governments are characterized by their reliance on precedent
B: Good governments solve problems
Our Congress, the legislative branch, often leads in the public policy process because of: A: Its access to media outlets B: Its legislative authority C: Its virtual representation D: Its high incumbency rates
B: Its legislative authority
Early in the life of American government questions emerged over who to empower and where. The Anti-Federalists, an early political party, envisioned a government: A: Strongly centralized but not too strong B: Made up of smaller localized units C: Made up of landless serfs D: Centralized around a strong king
B: Made up of smaller localized units
The legislative branch of the U.S. government has been empowered by the Constitution to: A: Interpret laws B: Make laws C: Make, enforce, and interpret laws D: Enforce laws
B: Make laws
In the Declaration of Independence Jefferson wrote, "That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new government..." In this revolutionary statement, Jefferson was advocating: A: Federalism B: Popular sovereignty C: Separation of powers D: Checks and balances
B: Popular sovereignty
With the close of the American Revolution in 1776, power and rights in America were equally vested in the people. Another name for this is: A: A confederation of elites B: Popular sovereignty C: Limited authoritarianism D: A Parliamentary system
B: Popular sovereignty
Early in the life of American government questions emerged over who to empower and where. The Federalists, an early political party, envisioned a government: A: Centralized around a strong king B: Strongly centralized but not too strong C: Made up of landless serfs D: Made up of smaller localized units
B: Strongly centralized but not too strong
Elihu Root called the separation of powers "one of the great underlying principles of our Constitution." Why was the separation of powers considered so important by the U.S.'s Founding Fathers? A: State governments were considered more likely to be corrupt than a strong national government. B: The concentration of power in one place was considered "the very definition of tyranny." C: Copying the English system advanced trade and diplomatic relations during the "critical period." D: Three branches of government were necessary to fulfill all of the expectations of government.
B: The concentration of power in one place was considered "the very definition of tyranny."
The emergence of a movement to legalize marijuana at the state level provides an example of: A: The settled debate over where government power is found B: The persistent tension over where government power is best suited C: The negligible authority that still remains at the state level D: The authoritative role played by national governments
B: The persistent tension over where government power is best suited
Which of the following best defines federalism? A: The separation between foreign and domestic policy B: The separation of power between national, state and local governments C: The separation between legislative, executive and judicial branches D: The separation between church and state
B: The separation of power between national, state and local governments
The Anti-Federalists, an opposition party, argued in their Brutus essays that strong centralized governments tend to be corrupted by: A: Immigrants B: Wealthy citizens C: Farmers D: Religious clerics
B: Wealthy citizens
Many of the designers of the U.S. government feared direct democracy as much as they feared monarchy. Republicanism represents all of the people and not just majorities. Nevertheless the original U.S. Constitution did allow for the direct election of: A: the President B: the House of Representatives C: the Senate D: the Supreme Court
B: the House of Representatives
All of the following represent ways in which the Federal government can influence state and local governments through the use of financial incentives EXCEPT: A: Block grants B: the Tenth Amendment C: Categorical grants D: "Carrots"
B: the Tenth Amendment
One of the true ancestors of American government was Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679). In Leviathan (1651), Hobbes wrote of the imperative need for a social contract with adequate checks and balances because in "the state of nature" mankind was: A: "Enlightened and enchanted" B: "Noble and magnanimous" C: "Nasty and brutish" D: "Rational and unsentimental"
C: "Nasty and brutish"
A constitutional convention in 1787 created a blue print for American government. The Founding Fathers settled upon a republican form of government, also called: A: A Parliamentary system B: A direct democracy C: A representative democracy D: A confederation of elites
C: A representative democracy
The first national charter, a government blue print, that established a "firm league of friendship" between the thirteen original colonies after the American Revolution was called the: A: Mayflower Compact B: U.S. Constitution C: Articles of Confederation D: Federalist Papers
C: Articles of Confederation
Democratic accountability and conformity with the rule of law is best safeguarded in the U.S. Constitution through a system of: A: Civil liberties B: Federalism C: Checks and balances D: Judicial review
C: Checks and balances
The formal amendment process, changing the language of the U.S. Constitution, has been used sparingly. This is true, in part, because of the difficulty of the amendment process. One method of amendment requires two-thirds of _____ to propose a change and three-fourths of _____ to ratify. A: Congress; the Supreme Court B: State legislatures; Congress C: Congress; State legislatures D: State legislatures; the Supreme Court
C: Congress; State legislatures
Historians have labeled the years following the victory over the British in the American Revolution the "critical period." What made these years so critical? A: The French and Spanish were planning an imminent invasion B: The British, plotting additional attacks, never fully surrendered C: Debates and disputes over "good government" D: Gold prices plummeted after the war
C: Debates and disputes over "good government"
Certain salient concepts gave breath to the grand American experiment in self-rule. Fundamentally, America's founders maintained an essential commitment to all of the following EXCEPT: A: Federalism B: Limited government C: Direct democracy D: Separation of powers
C: Direct democracy
In Franklin Roosevelt's Second Inaugural Address he stated: We of the Republic sensed the truth that democratic government has innate capacity to protect its people against disasters once considered inevitable, to solve problems once considered unsolvable. We would not admit that we could not find a way to master economic epidemics just as, after centuries of fatalistic suffering, we had found a way to master epidemics of disease. We refused to leave the problems of our common welfare to be solved by the winds of chance and the hurricanes of disaster. Franklin Roosevelt's words can literally be seen in this example: A: The American Dairy Association B: The Federal Reserve System C: Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) D: The creation of a bicameral legislature
C: Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)
All of the following have been used to negotiate the balance of power between national and state governments EXCEPT: A: Interpretations of the Fourteenth Amendment B: Interpretations of the Tenth Amendment C: Federal Reserve white papers D: The Commerce Clause
C: Federal Reserve white papers
Arguably, the separation of powers could make abuse and corruption in government even more likely due to: A: Its dominant court system B: Its inevitable culture of rebellion C: Its multiple access points D: Its overemphasis on individual liberty
C: Its multiple access points
As societies grew more and more complex, governments were formed to help manage norms. In representative governments ,these norms are primarily managed through: A: Terror and violence B: Religious rites C: Laws and public policies D: Charismatic elites
C: Laws and public policies
Conservative groups like the Tea Party and liberal groups like Occupy Wall Street have mobilized thousands of every day citizens to advocate for new public policies by taking to the streets, calling their representatives, voting for alternative candidates and raising money. What model of representative democracy is represented above? A: This is not an example of a democracy B: Elite democracy C: Participatory democracy D: Pluralist democracy
C: Participatory democracy
"Men being, as has been said, by nature, all free, equal and independent, no one can be put out of this estate, and subjected to the political power of another, without his own consent." This quotation from John Locke's Second Treatise on Government (1690) clearly advocates for: A: Federalism B: Checks and balances C: Popular sovereignty D: Separation of powers
C: Popular sovereignty
All of the following actions serve as checks on federal government officials who abuse their power EXCEPT: A: Removal by general election B: Impeachment C: Recall elections D: Criminal prosecution
C: Recall elections
There were many players involved in developing the comprehensive health care policy known as the Affordable Care Act (2010). All of the following combinations are correctly matched EXCEPT: A: Progressive voices set the agenda by highlighting the problem B: The Supreme Court legitimized the solution C: State governors implemented the policy D: Congress formulated the policy
C: State governors implemented the policy
Slavery was protected in the Articles of Confederation based upon the principle of: A: Equal protection B: Executive prerogative C: State sovereignty D: Individual agency
C: State sovereignty
The Supreme Court in the case Hearts of Atlanta Motel, Inc. v. United States (1964) argued: The power of Congress to deal with these obstructions depends on the meaning of the Commerce Clause. Its meaning was first enunciated 140 years ago by the great Chief Justice John Marshall in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) in these words: 'The subject to be regulated is commerce, and . . . to ascertain the extent of the power, it becomes necessary to settle the meaning of the word. The counsel for the appellee would limit it to traffic, to buying and selling, or the interchange of commodities . . . but it is something more: it is intercourse . . . between nations, and parts of nations, in all its branches, and is regulated by prescribing rules for carrying on that [activity].' To what commerce does this power extend? The constitution informs us, to commerce 'with foreign nations, and among the several States, and with the Indian tribes.' It has, we believe, been universally admitted that these words comprehend every species of commercial [activity]. . . . No sort of trade can be carried on . . . to which this power does not extend. As a result of this Court argument: A: The Court enforced once and for all states' rights B: The Court formulated a policy that set back the civil rights movement C: The Court expanded the legitimate power of the central government D: The Court reduced the size and reach of the Department of Commerce
C: The Court expanded the legitimate power of the central government
If the United States were still governed by the Articles of Confederation, issues like health care and education would be primarily handled by: A: The President B: Congress C: The States D: The Supreme Court
C: The States
This seminal document established the essential blue print for a unique form of political democracy in America. Even today it can be cited as the longest lasting and most durable government charter in human history. A: The Mayflower Compact (1620) B: The Declaration of Independence (1776) C: The U.S. Constitution (1789) D: Montesquieu's The Spirit of the Laws (1748)
C: The U.S. Constitution (1789)
The Articles of Confederation succeeded in ending the war with England and proposing territorial rules for expansion; however, it could not maintain order. All of the following were fatal flaws in the Articles EXCEPT: A: An inability to pacify rebellions B: There was no executive branch C: The central government was too strong D: Congress could not regulate trade
C: The central government was too strong
The Article of Confederation ultimately failed. Why? A: The central government overtaxed the people B: The central government suppressed votes C: The central government was too weak D: The central government over-regulated commerce
C: The central government was too weak
The Congress, the president and the Courts have used this constitutional provision to legitimately advance the rights and privileges of certain minority groups: A: The necessary and proper clause B: the Tenth Amendment C: The commerce clause D: Article Three
C: The commerce clause
Enlightenment thinkers stressed the importance of governments protecting natural rights. In the state of nature, one can find popular sovereignty. This belief resulted in a desire to make all governments beholden to: A: The hierarchy of wealth and privilege B: The divine right of kings C: The consent of the governed D: Centralized legal systems
C: The consent of the governed
Our President, along with the whole executive branch, have taken on an increased role in the policy making process because of: A: The growth of public trust in the president B: The Constitutional authority vested in the president C: The growth of the administrative state D: The growth of the role played by the Vice President
C: The growth of the administrative state
In this case, the Supreme Court ruled the Gun-Free School Zones Act went beyond what the Constitution's Commerce Clause could allow. For the first time since the New Deal, the Court limited the scope and reach of the Commerce Clause. A: Mapp v. Ohio (1961) B: Miranda v. Arizona (1966) C: U.S. v. Lopez (1990) D: Roe v. Wade (1973)
C: U.S. v. Lopez (1990)
During the "critical period" George Washington wrote to a friend saying, "The disinclination of the individual States to yield competent powers to Congress for the Federal Government - their unreasonable jealousy of that body and of one another - and the disposition which seems to pervade each, of being all-wise and all-powerful within itself, will, if there is not a change in the system, be our own downfall as a Nation. This is as clear to me as the A.B.C." This quote clearly shows that George Washington: A: as an Anti-Federalist feared that a strong central government threatened states' rights B: as an Anti-Federalist knew early on that state debts would threaten public school systems C: as a Federalist knew that the Articles of Confederation created an inadequate central government D: as a Federalist advocated keeping the Articles of Confederation in order to protect liberty
C: as a Federalist knew that the Articles of Confederation created an inadequate central government
The debates that were widespread during the period of ratification in 1787 and 1788 still continue today. Following the attacks of September 11, there was a call for stronger central government surveillance powers. This position best reflects the beliefs of: A: the mercantilists B: the Anti-Federalists C: the Federalists D: the Tories
C: the Federalists
Compromises at the Philadelphia constitutional convention in 1787 were necessary in order to assure ratification. Some important issues were left unresolved. It is for this reason, perhaps, that the escape hatch found in Article V was included. What did Article V provide for? A: State legislatures were given the power to veto Presidential acts B: A means to breach the original charter and thus beginning anew C: A route to return to the Articles of Confederation D: A means of amending and changing the original constitution
D: A means of amending and changing the original constitution
All of the following have proven to limit the natural aggrandizement (or expansion of power and self-importance) of the central government EXCEPT: A: Global privatization B: The rule of law C: Election results D: Activist judges
D: Activist judges
The United States Constitution would never have succeeded had it not been for the Great Compromise. This compromise resulted in a bicameral legislature. What difference played the biggest role in dividing the convention with respect to the Great Compromise? A: Urban citizens versus rural citizens B: Internationalists versus isolationists C: Northerners versus southerners D: Big states versus small states
D: Big states versus small states
Based on the U.S. Constitution, the Federalists seemed to have succeeded in securing a strong _____ government; and the Anti-Federalists also succeeded in securing viable _____ governments. A: Local; central B: Authoritarian; autocratic C: Autocratic; authoritarian D: Central; local
D: Central; local
In Federalist No. 51 (1788), James Madison wrote: "If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. 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. A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on the government; but experience has taught mankind the necessity of auxiliary precautions..." Which of the following best reflects how the original U.S. Constitution embodied Madison's argument? A: The Bill of Rights B: Republicanism C: Authoritarianism D: Checks and balances
D: Checks and balances
Historical events along with immediate crises often serve as seminal turning points in the allocation of government power. All of the following events helped to centralize power in the U.S. government EXCEPT: A: The Great Depression B: the Civil War C: The attacks on September 11, 2001 D: Devolution (or New Federalism) in the 1980s
D: Devolution (or New Federalism) in the 1980s
According to James Madison in Federalist No. 10, why wasn't it a good idea to remove factions, interest groups and cliques if they are so dangerous to democratic government? A: Factions could turn violent B: Factions can join with other factions and threaten to secede C: Factions are difficult to identify D: Factions are rooted in nature, and liberty protects them
D: Factions are rooted in nature, and liberty protects them
In the ratifying debates, Anti-Federalists argued for: A: A stronger central government B: Stronger alliances with England C: Direct democracy D: Maintaining stronger local governments
D: Maintaining stronger local governments
Which of the following metaphors has been used most often by political scientists to explain the unique relationships developed by federalism in American government and politics? A: Layer cake B: Fruit cake C: Angel food cake D: Marble cake
D: Marble cake
The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the Sierra Club are interest groups that through its numbers can amplify the voices of everyday citizens. The Chamber advocates for small businesses. The Sierra Club supports environmental issues. What model of representative democracy is represented above? A: This is not an example of a democracy B: Elite democracy C: Participatory democracy D: Pluralist democracy
D: Pluralist democracy
"When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner." In this quote from The Spirit of the Laws (1748), Montesquieu was clearly advocating for: A: Popular sovereignty B: Federalism C: Checks and balances D: Separation of powers
D: Separation of powers
Making public policy in America can often be long, complex and competitive. It is anything but easy. Gridlock may in fact be an intentional consequence of our founding. Which of the founding principles is most responsible for our cumbersome public policy process? A: Equal protection and the rule of law B: Civil liberties and civil rights C: Popular sovereignty and ex post facto law D: Separation of powers and checks and balances
D: Separation of powers and checks and balances
Reserved powers, powers retained by the states, were given Constitutional authority in which amendment? A: Fifth B: First C: Second D: Tenth
D: Tenth
One example of checks and balances built into the U.S. Constitution is: A: The president must declare war but the Congress funds troop deployment B: The Congress writes laws but the state legislatures approve them C: The Electoral College chooses nominees but the people vote for president D: The House can impeach a president but the Senate must hold the trial of removal
D: The House can impeach a president but the Senate must hold the trial of removal
Which of the following correctly describes the impeachment process as found in the U.S. Constitution? A: The Senate impeaches; the House of Representatives holds the impeachment trial B: The House of Representatives impeaches; the Supreme Court holds the impeachment trial C: The Senate impeaches; the state legislatures vote collectively to remove D: The House of Representatives impeaches; the Senate holds the impeachment trial
D: The House of Representatives impeaches; the Senate holds the impeachment trial
A rowdy Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts following the American Revolution exposed the weaknesses of our first United States government. What weakness of that early central government was exposed the most by Shays' Rebellion? A: Irresolvable disputes between northern and southern states B: The lack of a bicameral legislature C: The inability of state governments to forgive debt D: The lack of a national standing army to put down the rebellion
D: The lack of a national standing army to put down the rebellion
