Government Test 1
Which statement best explains the Privileges and Immunities clause of Article IV of the Constitution? -All Americans have the same basic rights, no matter what state they live in or travel to. -States have the ability to create their own Bills of Rights that applies only to their citizens. -If a citizen of one state travels to another state, they are only expected to follow the laws of the home state. -States have the right to apply laws differently to citizens of different states.
All Americans have the same basic rights, no matter what state they live in or travel to.
Amendments to the Constitution can be proposed by -the president and vice president. -Congress and state legislatures. -the president and the Supreme Court. -Congress and the Supreme Court.
Congress and state legislatures.
To modify the Constitution, an amendment must first be proposed by -the president. -the Supreme Court. -Congress or the states. -the vice president.
Congress or the states.
What did Anti-Federalists fear would happen if the Constitution became law? -Congress would have too much power over states. -States would have too much freedom to make their own laws. -Congress and states would have equal power. -States would control which laws Congress made.
Congress would have too much power over states.
Why did the Great Compromise and the Three-Fifths Compromise involve so much debate and discussion at the Constitutional Convention? -The states were not ready to give up their independence to an all-powerful national government. -The states believed the Articles of Confederation were working and did not need to be replaced. -Each state was most concerned for its own interests and needs. -Each state was certain that cooperation would lead to another war.
Each state was most concerned for its own interests and needs.
Which statement summarizes the Enslaved Persons Clause? -Enslaved persons who escape must be given constitutional rights. -Enslaved persons who escape must be given equal protection. -Enslaved persons who escape must be returned to their home states. -Enslaved persons who escape must be granted their freedom.
Enslaved persons who escape must be returned to their home states.
Which best describes Patrick Henry? -He agreed with Alexander Hamilton and opposed the Constitution. -He was a Federalist and opposed the Constitution. -He was an Anti-Federalist and opposed the Constitution. -He disagreed with Alexander Hamilton and favored the Constitution.
He was an Anti-Federalist and opposed the Constitution.
How did the Great Compromise resolve the dispute about representation? -It completely supported the creation of a unicameral legislature. -It favored representation for the larger states over the smaller states. -It created balance by blending the Virginia and New Jersey plans. -It gave every state the same number of state representatives.
It created balance by blending the Virginia and New Jersey plans.
Why did Anti-Federalists favor a bill of rights? -It would split power equally between the president and Congress. -It would put goverment in the hands of individual states. -It would give the government more power to make laws. -It would protect individual citizens' freedoms.
It would protect individual citizens' freedoms.
Why did Federalists argue for a separation of powers? -No single branch of government would have too much power. -The president should have more power than the other branches. -Power would be divided equally between federal and state government. -Trying to balance three branches of government would be impossible.
No single branch of government would have too much power.
"Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State." Which best explains the Full Faith and Credit clause within Article IV? -States must recognize all legal documents issued by another state, such as a driver's licence. -States must recognize the fundamental rights granted to all citizens, such as those protected by the federal government. -States are limited in the types of records that can be created, for instance States cannot issue marriage licenses. -States are granted permission to complete judicial proceedings and change acts created by federal branches of government, such as the Senate.
States must recognize all legal documents issued by another state, such as a driver's licence.
An important part of Article VI in the Constitution is the -Full Faith and Credit Clause. -Supremacy Clause. -Privileges and Immunities Clause. -Enslaved Persons Clause.
Supremacy Clause.
Why were the Articles of Confederation replaced with the Constitution? -The Articles of Confederation did not give strong power to the federal government. -The Articles of Confederation did not create a governmental structure for the states. -The Articles of Confederation did not provide powers for strong individual state governments. -The Articles of Confederation did not allow the federal government to deal with foreign countries.
The Articles of Confederation did not give strong power to the federal government.
Which is a true statement about the Privileges and Immunities Clause? -The Privileges and Immunities Clause deals with amending the Constitution. -The Privileges and Immunities Clause deals with rights for enslaved persons. -The Privileges and Immunities Clause deals with shared rights for citizens. -The Privileges and Immunities Clause deals with ratifying the Constitution.
The Privileges and Immunities Clause deals with shared rights for citizens.
Which best explains how the Supremacy Clause is connected to federalism? -The Supremacy Clause establishes that the federal government has more power than state governments. -The Supremacy Clause establishes that the state governments have more power than the federal government. -The Supremacy Clause forces the federal government and state governments to share power equally. -The Supremacy Clause forces the federal government and state governments to fight for power.
The Supremacy Clause establishes that the federal government has more power than state governments.
How does the Tenth Amendment differ from the rest of the amendments in the Bill of Rights? -The Tenth Amendment reserves the rights of the states, whereas the others only reserve the rights of the people. -The Tenth Amendment makes the Constitution applicable to state law, whereas the others apply only to federal law. -The Tenth Amendment involves unenumerated rights, whereas the others only outline enumerated rights. -The Tenth Amendment establishes the role of state governments, whereas the others establish the role of federal government.
The Tenth Amendment reserves the rights of the states, whereas the others only reserve the rights of the people.
How does the Tenth Amendment differ from the rest of the amendments in the Bill of Rights? -The Tenth Amendment reserves the rights of the states. -The Tenth Amendment makes the Constitution applicable to state law. -The Tenth Amendment involves unenumerated rights. -The Tenth Amendment establishes the role of state governments.
The Tenth Amendment reserves the rights of the states.
Which statement about the Three-Fifths Compromise is accurate? -The Three-Fifths Compromise determined where the greatest enslaved populations were based on census data. -The Three-Fifths Compromise helped give more power to states that did not allow slavery. -The Three-Fifths Compromise was developed based on the results of the 1790 census. -The Three-Fifths Compromise was a temporary solution to a long-term political issue.
The Three-Fifths Compromise was a temporary solution to a long-term political issue.
Which statement about the delegates at the Constitutional Convention is accurate? -The delegates all came to the convention from the same region. -The delegates agreed on the same constitutional principles. -The delegates agreed on what governmental changes were necessary. -The delegates considered each one of their states to have independent interests.
The delegates considered each one of their states to have independent interests.
What was the primary way the farms in the South differed from those in the North? -The farms of the South did not rely on enslaved labor. -The farms of the South raised cash crops using a plantation system. -The farms of the South only provided crops for southern families. -The farms of the South were pushed aside for other industries.
The farms of the South raised cash crops using a plantation system.
Which statement best explains why the Tenth Amendment reserves some rights and powers to the states? -The framers believed in the principle of federalism. -The framers wanted the states to be more powerful than the national government. -The framers wanted to limit citizens' rights. -The framers wanted to control civil liberties.
The framers believed in the principle of federalism.
What was the Federalists' view of the Constitution? -They would approve of the Constitution only if Anti-Federalists favored it. -They did not favor the Constitution. -They would only favor the Constitution if major changes were made to it. -They approved of the Constitution.
They approved of the Constitution.
How were Samuel Adams and Thomas Jefferson alike in their position on ratifying the Constitution? -They both opposed a strong federal government. -They both disagreed with Patrick Henry. -They both favored ratifying the Constitution. -They both sided with Alexander Hamilton.
They both opposed a strong federal government.
Which statement about the northern states in the 1780s is accurate? -Their economy was based on agriculture. -They had far fewer large cities than the southern states. -They generally had less enslaved labor than the southern states. -They had very large farms called plantations.
They generally had less enslaved labor than the southern states.
How did Alexander Hamilton and James Madison view the Constitution? -They strongly opposed the Constitution. -They were on opposite sides of the debate about the Constitution. -They led those who favored the Constitution. -They were two Anti-Federalists who supported the Constitution.
They led those who favored the Constitution.
How did Anti-Federalists feel about a strong central government? -They favored it. -They mostly favored it but had some concerns. -Some opposed it and some favored it. -They opposed it.
They opposed it.
Read the excerpt from the Publius. 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. —Publius How would Federalists most likely respond to this? -They would agree but doubt the Constitution could make that happen. -They would doubt that any central government could meet these goals. -They would argue that the government does not need to control itself. -They would agree and be confident that the Constitution meets those goals.
They would agree and be confident that the Constitution meets those goals.
What is the purpose of checks and balances in the Constitution? -They would keep any one branch from having too much power. -They would give the president power over matters related to money. -They would allow states to have equal power with the federal government. -They would give Federalists and Anti-Federalists equal power.
They would keep any one branch from having too much power.
How many states must approve an amendment before it can be added to the Constitution? -One-quarter. -One-half -Three-fourths -Five-eighths
Three-fourths
After Congress has approved a proposed amendment to the Constitution, what then must take place before that amendment becomes law? -The president must approve it. -Three-quarters of the states must approve it. -The Supreme Court must approve it. -Half of the states must approve it.
Three-quarters of the states must approve it.
Read the excerpt from The Federal Farmer. Instead of being thirteen republics, under a federal head, [the Federalists' plan] is clearly designed to make us one [unified] government. . . . Whether such a change can ever be [made] in any manner; whether it can be [made] without convulsions and civil wars; whether such a change will not totally destroy the liberties of this country—time only can determine. What best summarizes the point of view the excerpt expresses? -The Federal Farmer What best summarizes the point of view the excerpt expresses? -In time, one unified government will run the country. -The Federalists prefer thirteen republics to one unified government. -One unified government probably will not lead to disruptions and civil wars. -Under one unified government, people will be robbed of their freedoms.
Under one unified government, people will be robbed of their freedoms.
Read the excerpt from the Publius. It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices [checks and balances] should be necessary to control the abuses of government... If men were angels, no government would be necessary. —Publius Which statement summarizes the publication's view of government? -We need government so we have a means to control our leaders. -We need government because people are flawed. -We don't need government because people are well behaved. -We don't need government because it has too many checks and balances.
We need government because people are flawed.
What is the best definition of bicameral? -a legislature based on size of the state -an act of working as a lawmaker for a group -a government made up of two parts or houses -an agreement reached after long debate
a government made up of two parts or houses
What is the best definition of unicameral? -a representative of the people -an agreement by which each party gives up something -a government with one legislative body -a government with no legislative body
a government with one legislative body
When the Supreme Court makes a ruling on a case that serves to interpret a law passed by Congress, it is an example of -presidential veto. -popular sovereignty. -checks and balances. -habeas corpus.
checks and balances.
The Constitution was a result of multiple -legislation. -democracies. -compromises. -populations.
compromises.
The Constitution was a result of multiple -legislations. -democracies. -compromises. -populations.
compromises.
According to Anti-Federalists, the Constitution -would make the president too weak. -could make the president less powerful than Congress. -could give the president too much influence. -would make the president work closely with states.
could give the president too much influence.
The process of approving the Constitution is best described as -simple. -unofficial. -difficult. -unfair.
difficult.
Federalists believed a strong government would -take too much power from the states. -cause power struggles among states. -encourage states to work together. -make state government unnecessary.
encourage states to work together.
Which best describes a role of the executive branch of the federal government? -governing commerce -interpreting laws -regulating taxes -enforcing laws
enforcing laws
The most important benefit of having a difficult amendment process is that it ____________.
ensures that checks and balances are respected
Under the Constitution, political rights protect the freedoms of -citizens accused of a crime. -elected representatives. -every American citizen. -state and national officials.
every American citizen.
The powers of the commander in chief of the armed forces belong to the -judicial branch. -legislative branch. -executive branch. -state governments.
executive branch.
The freedoms in the First Amendment are collectively known as the freedom of -speech. -expression. -protest. -natural right.
expression.
An inference that can be drawn from the Supremacy Clause is that -state laws are superior to federal laws. -federal laws are superior to state laws. -judges do not have to follow federal laws. -judges have to follow state laws.
federal laws are superior to state laws.
Which key idea in the Constitution creates a division of power between national and state governments? -habeas corpus -individual rights -federalism -republicanism
federalism
The division and sharing of power between state and national governments is the principle of -checks and balances. -federalism. -branching. -popular sovereignty.
federalism.
Read the excerpt from the preamble to the Constitution. . . . [A]nd secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity. According to this excerpt of the preamble, who were freedoms and rights established for? -federal and state elected officials -executive and judicial officials -leaders and past generations -framers of the Constitution and future generations
framers of the Constitution and future generations
Which lists the steps involved in approving the Constitution in the correct order? -i. The Constitution was sent to the states for a vote. ii. States voted on whether to approve the Constitution. iii. Nine of the thirteen original states had to approve it. iv. The Constitution became law. -i. The Constitution was sent to Congress for a vote. ii. Congress voted on whether to approve the Constitution. iii. Two-thirds of Congressional representatives had to approve it. iv. The Constitution became law. -i. The Constitution was sent to the states for a vote. ii. States voted on whether to approve the Constitution. iii. All of the original states had to approve it. iv. The Constitution became law. -i. The Constitution was sent to Congress for a vote. ii. Congress voted on whether to approve the Constitution. iii. Three-fourths of Congressional representatives had to approve it. iv. The Constitution became law.
i. The Constitution was sent to the states for a vote. ii. States voted on whether to approve the Constitution. iii. Nine of the thirteen original states had to approve it. iv. The Constitution became law.
The purpose of the preamble of the Constitution is to -establish and maintain the sovereignty of individual states. -describe and enforce the powers of the confederation government. -introduce and explain the core ideas of the government's important principles. -define and distinguish the roles of domestic and foreign policies.
introduce and explain the core ideas of the government's important principles.
The framers of the US Constitution wrote the Preamble to -establish the sovereignty of individual states. -introduce the core ideas of the new government. -define the roles of domestic and foreign policies. -enforce the powers of the confederation government.
introduce the core ideas of the new government.
A result of the amendment process is that -it requires Congress and the states to work together. -it requires Congress and the states to work separately. -it requires Congress and the states to recognize people's rights. -it forces Congress and the states to respect legal records.
it requires Congress and the states to work together.
To which branch of government does the power to interpret laws and apply the Constitution to the law belong? -federal -executive -judicial -legislative
judicial
The power to create laws and to regulate taxes and commerce belong to which branch of government? -executive -legislative -federal -judicial
legislative
The idea that government is not above the law is an example of -rule of law. -federalism. -limited government. -guaranteed rights.
limited government.
According to the 1790 census, where did most enslaved people live? -only in the North -mostly in the South -mostly in the Mid-West -only in the far West
mostly in the South
Civil liberties are related to which fundamental kind of rights? -substantive rights -natural rights -civil rights -procedural rights
natural rights
How many states had to vote for the Constitution to approve it? -eleven of thirteen -three-fourths -nine of thirteen -all thirteen
nine of thirteen
The idea of _________ means that government is created by the people and for the people
popular sovereignty
During the Constitutional Convention, small states did not want their representation based on -delegation. -location. -condition. -population.
population.
According to the Constitution, the right of freedom of religion supports -practicing religions that are national and official. -practicing religions approved by the government. -practicing religion only in private settings. -practicing any religion that one chooses, or none at all.
practicing any religion that one chooses, or none at all.
The Constitution's creation of a national government with separation of powers -prevents the national government from being controlled by one branch. -eliminates overlapping or repetitive government powers among the branches. -reduces government powers among all branches and gives them to the states. -replaces stronger branch powers with weaker powers and grants more power to voters.
prevents the national government from being controlled by one branch.
The Constitution regulates government powers by -providing guides and limits to the government's power. -providing an undivided government power structure. -providing a weakened central government structure. -providing a majority of power to state governments.
providing guides and limits to the government's power.
The issue of slavery at the Constitutional Convention was actually an issue about -representation. -taxes. -population. -legislature.
representation.
A faction is a group that -strongly disagrees with another group. -strongly favors ratifying the Constitution. -strongly agrees with another group. -strongly opposes ratifying the Constitution.
strongly disagrees with another group.
Which type of rights are fundamental and belong to all citizens? -substantive rights -procedural rights -unenumerated rights -civil rights
substantive rights
The Bill of Rights consists of the first ________ amendments to the Constitution
ten
Based on the Supremacy Clause, what must a judge support in the event of a legal conflict? -state law over federal law -city law over state law -the Constitution over state law -the president's opinion over the Constitution
the Constitution over state law
Anti-Federalists argued that -branches of government would keep each other in balance. -the Constitution would make states less powerful. -the Constitution would create a Republican government. -a Republic should protect people from the government and from each other.
the Constitution would make states less powerful.
Read the excerpt from the Publius. In republican government, the [lawmaking] authority necessarily [has the most power]. The remedy for this...is to divide the legislature into different branches; and to render them...as little connected with each other [as possible]. Which idea does this excerpt support? -the Anti-Federalist idea that dividing the government into branches will not stop abuses of power -the Federalist idea that lawmaking power should be divided among the different branches of government -the Anti-Federalist idea that lawmaking should be a matter for states, not the federal government -the Federalist idea that branches of government should overlap so they can check on each other's activities
the Federalist idea that lawmaking power should be divided among the different branches of government
In what part of the Great Compromise are the ideas of the Virginia Plan represented? -the Senate -the House of Representatives -the Office of the President -the Unicameral Legislature
the House of Representatives
Which amendment best addresses the fears of Federalists like James Madison, that rights and powers not specifically listed in the Constitution or Bill of Rights will not be protected in the future? -the First Amendment -the Fourth Amendment -the Tenth Amendment -the Ninth Amendment
the Ninth Amendment
According to the Constitution, the judicial branch of the federal government is headed by -Congress -the Supreme Court -the president -the cabinet
the Supreme Court
Which amendment protects citizens from being forced to house troops? -the First Amendment -the Third Amendment -the Sixth Amendment -the Eighth Amendment
the Third Amendment
Once the delegates settled the Great Compromise, what issue did they tackle next? -the New Jersey Plan -the Virginia Plan -the Electoral process for the presidency -the Three-Fifths Compromise
the Three-Fifths Compromise
The House and Senate can only pass amendments to the Constitution if -the amendment receives a majority vote. -the president supports them. -the amendment receives a two-thirds vote. -the judiciary branch supports them.
the amendment receives a two-thirds vote.
Which individual freedom is protected under the Constitution? -the freedom to tell lies that damage another person's reputation -the freedom to assemble together for peaceful meetings -the freedom from having property taken lawfully -the freedom from being arrested lawfully
the freedom to assemble together for peaceful meetings
Read the preamble to the Constitution. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. According to the preamble, where does the power of government come from? -the order -the union -the defence -the people
the people
Unlike the Anti-Federalists, the Federalists believed -the president should be less powerful than the other two branches. -the president should give more power to the states. -the president should have unlimited power to govern the nation. -the president should have enough power to lead.
the president should have enough power to lead.
Which of these is a procedural right protected by the Bill of Rights? -the right to bear arms -freedom to petition -the right to call witnesses -freedom of assembly
the right to call witnesses
Which right is implied by the Second Amendment's right to bear arms? -the right to own property -the right to defend one's honor -the right to form a well-regulated militia -the right to protect oneself
the right to protect oneself
The first step in approving the Constitution involved sending it to -the states. -Congress. -the judicial branch. -the executive branch.
the states.
Read the preamble to the Constitution. We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. In the preamble, the phrase "establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility" means -to improve the government system and structure. -to create a system of laws for internal peace. -to identify the seat of power in the government. -to install this government system for the nation.
to create a system of laws for internal peace.
According to the preamble to the Bill of Rights, what is the purpose of the Bill of Rights? -to guarantee everyone's rights -to stop people from depriving others of their rights -to ensure equal rights for all -to prevent the government from abusing people's rights
to prevent the government from abusing people's rights
Why did the state delegates meet in 1787? -to revise or repair the Articles of Confederation -to elect George Washington as president -to write the Articles of Confederation -to collect taxes to pay the nation's debt
to revise or repair the Articles of Confederation
What was the purpose of the New Jersey Plan? -to support the interests of the smaller states -to implement a bicameral legislature -to nominate William Paterson as chief executive -to ensure representation was based on population
to support the interests of the smaller states
A state refusing to follow a federal law would be guilty of -refusing to amend the Constitution. -refusing to ratify Constitutional amendments. -violating the Full Faith and Credit Clause. -violating the Supremacy Clause.
violating the Supremacy Clause.
