c963 unit questions
What is an important weakness of a social contract? Select the one correct answer. A. Social contracts require consensus. B. Social contracts are fixed. C. Social contracts don't aspire to create a perfect moral order. D. All social contracts eventually fail
.A
Which of these describes the theory of the social contract? Select the one correct answer. A. Society is not natural, but created by the people. B. Society was created by God. C. The people do not control society, but society controls the people. D. We must accept society as it is since it was naturally created.
.A
Which system of government allows states to retain most of their power and authority while delegating few defined powers to the national government? Select the one correct answer. A. A confederation B. An oligarchy C. A federal system D. A monarchy
.A
What is the Enlightenment? Select the two correct answers. A. A period of Western European history following the Middle Ages. B. The source of our ideas about natural rights. C. A revival of Roman Catholicism. D. Where democratic government is invented.
.A and B
What conditions are required for a social contract to work? Select the two correct answers. A. Consensus among those whom the social contract applies to B. The desire for a utopian society among those who want the social contract C. Uniformity of ability and purpose among those who agree to the social contract D. A commitment to toleration
.A and C
What type of rights are contained in Bill of Rights? Select the two correct answers. A. The Bill of Rights contains procedural rights. B. The Bill of Rights contains objective rights. C. The Bill of Rights contains natural rights. D. The Bill of Rights contains consensus rights.
.A and C
Why does the Enlightenment influence American politics and government? Select the three correct answers. A. Ideas of the Enlightenment frame the colonists' response to British violations of natural rights. B. The colonists have a long history of self-government, consistent with the Enlightenment's ideas about government by consent. C. The colonists are attracted to the idea of the divine right of kings. D. Those immigrating to the American colonies are attracted to the Enlightenment's ideas of liberty and property.
.A, B, and D
Which was designed with a concern for the tyranny of factional majority? A. The Social Contract B. The Constitution C. The Bill of Rights D. The Declaration of Independence
.B
in what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract. Select 2 right answers: A. The state of nature offers an ideal in which a social contract should seek to emulate. B. The state of nature gives definition to natural rights. C. The state of nature gives definition to what it means to be human. D. The state of nature is fictional and offers nothing meaningful for constructing a social contract.
.B and C?
In what key ways does the Constitution differ from the Declaration of Independence? Select the two correct answers. A. The Constitution elevates the rights of property. B. The Constitution makes justice more important than liberty. C. The Constitution expands the list of natural rights. D. The Constitution is more concerned with controlling rather than expressing the popular will.
.B and D
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Select the two correct answers. A. The Articles created a bicameral legislature B. The Articles gave the states too much authority. C. The Articles created a republican form of government. D. The Articles limited the powers of the national government too much, making it weak and ineffective.
.B and D
Which statements are true about natural rights? (Choose the two correct answers.) A. They compel the creation of democratic government. B. They are given by the government and not God. C. They let you do what you need to survive and be secure. D. They impart an equality of being among all people.
.C and D
Which statements are true concerning the state of nature? Select the two correct answers. A. Describes the relationship between human beings and animals. B. Suggests that human beings are naturally social C. Permits a philosophical definition of human nature. D. Is a thought experiment upon which a definition of proper society and government are built
.C and D
How do conflicting ideas of the Enlightenment influence American government and politics? Select the two correct answers. A. The conflict between popular government and the separation of powers creates an ideal balance of interests. B. The conflict among ideas leads to an increasingly undemocratic system of government. C. The protection of private property can interfere with the government's dealing with important social needs. D. The Constitution sets up a system of government that isn't favorable to the democratic expression of the popular will.
.C and D?
Which ideas are embodied in the Declaration of Independence? Select the two correct answers. A. The purpose of government is to secure justice for all people B. The ideas of Thomas Hobbes C. The natural rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness D. The idea that governments are created by people to protect their natural rights
.C and D?
Select the one correct answer. The Constitution's demotion of liberty, and lack of protections for natural rights, suggests the framers were what? A. Fearful the new national government would be subject to insurrection by disgruntled Anti-federalists. B. Worried that expressing certain rights would serve to legitimize the institution of slavery. C. Hostile towards the interests of individuals. D. More interested in the practicalities of government.
.D
Select the one correct answer. The Constitution's first three articles create separate legislative, executive and judicial branches, is consistent with: A. Jean Jacques Rousseau's belief that those without property would attempt to take it from those who do have it B. John Locke's views about the nature of liberty and how it fits into the social contract C. The framers' overall distrust in government D. Montesquieu's theory for the separation of political power.
.D
What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with? Select the one correct answer. A. Direct and Representative Democracies B. Nature and God C. Ordinary Rights and Government Rights D. Human Nature and Natural Rights
.D
How did creating a republican form of government in the United States ease the fears of the national government becoming too powerful? Select one correct answer. A. Republican government rested political power in the hands of the people. B. Republican government gave a majority of the power to the national government. C. Republican government allowed for one political party to control the laws and policies. D. Republican government permitted little authority for the states.
A
How has reapportionment after the census affected the makeup of the House of Representatives? Select the one correct answer. A. Reapportionment permits state legislatures to redraw boundaries to favor the majority party leading to changes in the makeup of the House of Representatives. B. Reapportionment has had virtually no effect on the makeup of House of Representatives. C. Reapportionment has favored states with more registered voters giving greater representation to wealthier portions of the population. D. Reapportionment has permitted national parties to exert more control over members of the House of Representatives.
A
How was slavery involved in the Constitutional Convention? Select the one correct answer. A. Representatives from the North were adamant that slaves not be counted towards a state's population while Southerners insisted that they be counted. B. The North and South viewed slave inclusion in a state's population similarly. C. The Act for the Gradual Abolition of Slavery was passed so that all enslaved children in the United States would become indentured children to be set free at the age of 28.
A
In Federalist no. 51, Madison argues for the division of government authority to each branch of government. What is this known as? A. Separation of powers B. Equal protection C. Non-eminent domains D. A mixed regime
A
In proposing the New Jersey Plan, its proponents were interested in what? A. Maintaining the structure of the Articles of Confederation and basing representation on the states B. Preventing small population states from exercising too much power in the national government C. Securing a stable basis for domestic economic activity D. The protection of individual rights and privileges
A
What is a key difference between standing committees and select committees? Select the one correct answer. A. Standing committees continue from one session of Congress to the next, whereas select committees are temporary. B. Standing committees are very specialized, and select committees deal with broad issues. C. Select committees have an equal number of Democrats and Republicans. D. Standing committees are in the House of Representatives, and select committees are in the Senate.
A
What is gerrymandering? Select the one correct answer. A. Gerrymandering means drawing electoral boundaries to favor a particular political party or group. B. Gerrymandering is a term used for falsifying vote totals to ensure the election of a party or candidate. C. Gerrymandering means targeting election advertisements for a particular area of a district or state. D. Gerrymandering is an effort to suppress the vote for the opposition party by limiting voting hours.
A
What is the purpose of a social contract? Select the one correct answer. A. To acknowledge and protect natural rights B. To realize the will of God C. To create natural rights
A
What was one reason why it was necessary to replace the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer. A. The United States lacked the military forces to defend the new country. B. The states did not have enough power. C. Countries refused to trade with the new country since the government was so weak. D. The national government was so strong that it threatened the rights of citizens.
A
Which entity has the power to execute laws passed by Congress? Select the one correct answer. A. The president and officials in the executive branch are in charge of executing the laws passed by Congress. B.. The states are always involved in the execution of laws. C. The judiciary has the power to execute laws. D. Congress and the president jointly executive the laws that are passed.
A
Which is not a reason James Madison found it necessary to write Federalist, no. 51? Select the one correct answer. A. Madison wrote Federalist, no. 51 to make states understand that there was no way to prevent the government from becoming tyrannical and abusing its people. B. Madison wrote Federalist, no. 51 to explain that each branch of government would be given its own degree of independence as a way to prevent tyranny. C. Madison wrote Federalist, no. 51 to get more states to support the Constitution. D. Madison wrote Federalist, no. 51 to address the fears of the Anti-Federalists who believed that increasing the powers of the national government would leave room for the government to abuse its power and people.
A
Which is true concerning executive agreements with foreign countries? Select the one correct answer. A. Executive agreements are valid only as long as the political leaders from both countries are in power. B. Executive agreements are used to give direction to bureaucratic agencies. C. Executive agreements are between two countries like treaties. D. Executive agreements must be approved by the Senate.
A
Which is true of the impeachment process? Select the one correct answer. A. The impeachment process involves a majority vote in the House of Representatives, followed by a hearing in the Senate requiring a two-thirds vote to remove an individual. B. The impeachment process involves the House of Representatives' removing someone from office. C. The impeachment process was designed as a check on the Congressional branch. D. The impeachment process involves a conviction in a federal court for a crime.
A
Which of these functions do congressional committees serve? Select the one correct answer. A. Congressional committees allow members of Congress to become experts on selected matters by concentrating their work on a few committees. B. Congressional committees ensure that all voices are heard on bills, as committee seats are usually evenly divided between the parties. C. Congressional committees fulfill a constitutional requirement that Congress divide itself into committees. D. Congressional committees save Congress time because a finance bill only needs to be approved by the Finance Committee and not the whole chamber.
A
Which of these options helped the Federalists gain more support for their theories of a representative government with increased national powers? Select the one correct answer. A. The Federalist Papers B. The Declaration of Independence C. The Second Treatise on Government D. The Anti-Federalist Decree
A
Which of these statements is most accurate about the creation of majority-minority districts? Select the one correct answer. A. Majority-minority districts can lead to the election of minority candidates in some districts, but often this is at the expense of diluting minority-vote strength in other districts. B. Majority-minority districts are unconstitutional because race cannot be taken into account in redistricting. C. Majority-minority districts always benefit minority voters since it allows them to choose a minority representative. D. Majority-minority districts are required by the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
A
Which statement is true regarding the federal system of government? Select the one correct answer. A. Federalist systems work best In countries that are large and diverse. B. Federalist systems are best for all countries. C. Federalist systems always include checks and balances. D. Federalist systems have no significant disadvantages.
A
Why was it so difficult to change the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer. A. The Articles of Confederation required unanimous consent by all the states for any changes. B. The Articles of Confederation specifically stated that they were not to be changed. C. The Articles of Confederation were only an experiment so changing them would ruin the results. D. The Articles of Confederation required two-thirds of the states to approve changes.
A
How do checks and balances keep the branches of government from abusing its power? Select the two correct answers. A. Checks and balances allow each branch of government the ability to restrict other branches of government. B. Checks and balances require the different branches of government to work together. C. Checks and balances require the national government to run a balanced budget every year.
A and B
In what ways does Article I of the Constitution prevent the national government from engaging in taxation without representation? Select the two correct answers. A. Both the House and Senate must approve of all revenue bills. B. All bills to raise revenue must begin in the House of Representatives. C. There are no mechanisms in place to limit taxation without representation. D. It gives Congress the ability to borrow and coin money.
A and B
The power to draft soldiers under the Articles of Confederation required the national government to do which of the following? Select the two correct answers. A. Ask each state to send troops any time they wanted to engage in war B. Appoint senior officials C. Create a system of sharing troops with the individual states D. Set entry requirements of the national army
A and B
Which of the following enumerated powers of Congress are generally regarded as responses to the weaknesses of the national legislature under the Articles of Confederation? Select all that apply. A. power to regulate commerce B. exclusive power to coin money C. power to construct and maintain interstate highways D. power to regulate banks
A and B
Why did the Anti-Federalists want the government to remain closer to the people? Select the two correct answers. A. To prevent the possibility of government tyranny. B. To keep the wealthy elites from having complete power. C. To keep the national government from realigning with the British government.
A and B
Why did the Federalists want to make the national government as strong as possible? Select the two correct answers. A. To provide more protection for the United States against potential threats. B. To give the government enough power to take away individual freedoms. C. To build and maintain a strong economy. D. To provide the potential for the people to overtake the government.
A and C
Why did the Anti-Federalists advocate for the addition of the Bill of Rights to the Constitution? Select the two correct answers. A. To prevent tyranny over the people by the national government. B. To provide a way for the national government to take advantage of the people. C. To please the Federalists who wanted to make the government as strong as possible. D. To explicitly protect the rights of individuals.
A and D
Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of nature? Select the two correct answers. A. It helps to frame the type of social contract that is needed to make individual life better. B. It provides a utopian goal for society to try and realize. C. It provides the basis for a measure of human progress. D. It explains the incentive for working cooperatively with others.
A and D
How did the inability to regulate trade among the states prove to be a weakness for the United States? Select the three correct answers. A. The inability to regulate trade allowed the states to make their own agreements with other countries without the national government's knowing. B. The national government had no power to regulate the price of goods. C. Many local farmers and business owners could not survive in the economy under the Articles of Confederation. D. Too many officials became caught up in trade regulation and didn't fulfill their assigned duties.
A, B and C
What best describes the differences between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans in the role of federal and state sovereignty? Select the three correct answers. A. Supporters of the New Jersey Plan believed that the states were best suited to represent the needs of the citizens while supporters of the Virginia Plan believed that effective representation could happen at the national level. B. Supporters of the New Jersey Plan advocated for states to retain power over the national government while supporters of the Virginia Plan wanted the national government to legislate for the states and even veto laws passed by state legislatures. C. The Virginia Plan advocated for more powers for the central government. D. The Virginia and New Jersey Plans only differed in their ideas for appropriate representation in the national legislature; they agreed on the ideas of appropriate federal and state sovereignty.
A, B, C
Which statement best describes characteristics of a social contract. Select all that apply. A. A collective expression of a collectively shared interest B. A specification of natural Rights C. A definition of human nature D. A manifestation of the will of God
A, B, C
After the Articles of Confederation went into effect, how was the British government able to continue impacting what would happen in the United States? Select the three correct answers. A. The British government could refuse to accept the currency of the United States as a means to pay off any lingering debts. B. The British government was able to put pressure on the states through its occupation of land west of the United States. C. The British government did not seek to interact with the United States government after it gained independence. D. The British government was able to form individual relationships with the states.
A, B, D
Ultimately, why did the Articles of Confederation fail? Select the three correct answers. A. It weakened the economy of the United States. B. It harmed the international reputation of the United States. C. It weakened the powers of the national government too much. D. It gave too much power to the national government and not enough power to the states.
A, B, and C
What powers did the national government have under the Articles of Confederation? Select the three correct answers. A. The power to declare war B. The power to borrow and coin money C. The power to settle disputes among different states D. The power to declare laws passed by other states as invalid
A, B, and C
Why was the inability of the national government to tax a weakness of the Articles of Confederation? Select the three correct answers. A. Foreign countries did not want to lend or trade with the national government. B. The currency of the United States became worthless. C. People who used other countries' currency instead of U.S. currency began to feel less "American." D. Being unable to tax often left the national government underfunded.
A, B, and D
What are specific powers given to Congress in Article I of the Constitution? Select the three correct answers. A. The power to regulate trade and commerce B. The power to declare laws and actions unconstitutional C. The power to tax D. The power to declare war
A, C, and D
How long is the term for federal judges? Select the one correct answer. A. Judges remain in office until removed from office by the president. B. Judges serve during times of good behavior. C. Judges serve until the next national election. D. Judges serve for ten years, but reappointment can allow for additional terms.
B
The Three-Fifths Compromise worked to: A. Prohibit the further importation of slaves into the United States. B. Increase the representation of Southern states in the House of Representatives. C. Restrict the enumerated taxing power of the national government. D. Require a 60% majority vote to approve a bill in the Senate.
B
The most important structural outcome of the Great Compromise was: A. The concession to admit new states into the Union on terms equal to existing states. B. The creation of a bicameral national legislature, with each chamber representing a different type of political actor. C. The shifting of political authority from the large states to the small states. D. The establishment of a single, rather than a multiple, executive.
B
To reinforce the representational differences in the national bicameral legislature, the Great Compromise required that: A. One representative of one chamber be selected in odd-number years, and the other in even-numbered years. B. Members of the House of Representatives be selected by the voters, and members of the Senate be selected by the state legislatures. C. No property qualifications be imposed for members of the House of Representatives, but significant property qualifications be imposed for Senators. D. No two representatives for a state come from the same city or township.
B
What is the major difference between congressional budget committees and appropriations committees? Select the one correct answer. A. There is no difference; these are just different names for the same committees. B. While the budget committees set overall spending limits, the appropriation committees are responsible for recommending specific allocations of funds. C. The congressional budget committees are less powerful because the president, not the Congress, has ultimate control over the federal budget. D. While the president may veto individual sections of appropriations bills, he may not veto budget resolutions.
B
Which Constitutional change was not advocated by the Federalists? Select the one correct answer. A. The power of the national government to collect taxes B. The addition of the Bill of Rights C. Senators elected by state legislatures D. One national currency
B
Which of these is a true statement concerning federal income tax? Select the one correct answer. A. Federal income tax is equally applied to all taxpayers at a "flat" tax rate. B. Federal income tax required the ratification of a constitutional amendment, after the Supreme Court ruled that a previous attempt to tax income was unconstitutional. C. Federal income tax has always been the federal government's primary source of revenue. D. Federal income tax was constitutionally authorized by Congress's Article I powers.
B
Which of these powers does the president hold? Select the one correct answer. A. The power to declare war B. The power to grant pardons C. The power to pass laws when Congress fails to do so D. The power to select members of state legislatures
B
Which of these statements describes one major different between a joint committee and a conference committee? Select the one correct answer. A. Conference committees are usually created by statutes, while joint committees are usually created by the rules of the House and Senate. B. A conference committee meets to consider one specific piece of legislation that has been passed in different forms in the two houses; a joint committee can be permanent. C. The name only. They are simply different terms used to describe the same thing. D. A joint committee has members of both houses serving on it; a conference committee does not.
B
Which of these was intended as part of the system of checks and balances? Select the one correct answer. A. The ability of the president to issue executive orders was intended as part of the system of checks and balances. B. The ability of the president to veto acts of Congress was intended as part of the system of checks and balances. C. The creation of a national judiciary was intended as part of the system of checks and balances. D. The ability of Congress to pass laws was intended as part of the system of checks and balances.
B
Why did the Articles of Confederation provide for such a weak national government? Select the one correct answer. A. The writers of the Articles wanted a government as strong as Britain. B. The colonists/citizens of the United States were afraid of a strong central government. C. Foreign powers provided money for those opposing a strong national government so the new country would be weak. D. The country was destitute after winning the American Revolution.
B
Why did the founding fathers provide so little detail for the judiciary? Select the one correct answer. A. The Founding Fathers provided little detail for the judiciary because they were uncertain about what a national court system would be. B. The Founding Fathers provided little detail for the judiciary because they understood the role of courts and the judicial system from the English system and the colonial period. C. The Founding Fathers provided little detail for the judiciary because they wanted to keep the judiciary similar to that which existed under the Articles of Confederation. D. The Founding Fathers provided little detail for the judiciary so that Congress could provide all the necessary details that were left out of the Constitution.
B
What powers does Congress possess? Select the two correct answers. A. The power to enforce laws B. The power (by the Senate) to pass treaties with a two-thirds majority vote C. The power to declare war D. The power to convict individuals of crimes
B and C
How has the Constitution's Interstate Commerce Clause been interpreted? Select the one correct answer. A. As giving Congress the authority to regulate trade with foreign nations B. Very narrowly, giving Congress power to stop states from charging fees to other states, but not much else C. Very broadly, forming the justification for much of Congress's modern-day economic regulation D. As granting the early 19th century Congress the power to outlaw the slave trade
C
On which branch of government does the Constitution provide the most detail as it relates to powers? Select the one correct answer. A. The Electoral College B. The judiciary C. Congress D. The president
C
Under the Constitution, who has the power related to war and peace? Select the one correct answer. A. The power over war and peace is shared by the president and the Senate. B. The power over war and peace is exercised solely by Congress C. The power over war and peace is shared by the president and both houses of Congress D. The power over war and peace is exercised solely by the president
C
What happens when the president vetoes a piece of legislation? Select the one correct answer. A. He must send the bill back to the originating house, which must then draft legislation addressing the president's concerns. B. It will usually be overridden if the opposing party has the majority of seats in Congress. C. He must send the bill back to the originating house with his objections to it. The bill will only become law if both houses vote to override by a two-thirds vote. D. The bill is dead. The president's veto is an absolute barrier to the bill becoming law.
C
What is a key role of standing committees in the House and the Senate? Select the one correct answer. A. To guarantee input from the minority party B. To confirm the nominations of the president C. To give a detailed hearing to all proposed legislation D. To appropriate money for various projects
C
What is a key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate? Select the one correct answer. A. One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to provide estimates of how much money is available for Congress to spend B. One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to decide which private real estate will be appropriated for national activities C. One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to provide funding for specific projects, agencies, or programs in proposed legislation D. One key role of the appropriations committees in the House of Representatives and the Senate is to provide cost estimates for government programs
C
What is essential for a bill to become a law? Select the one correct answer. A. To become a law, it is essential for a bill to get a favorable report and vote from a House committee. B. To become a law, it is essential for a bill to have the support of the majority and minority leaders in the Senate. C. To become a law, it is essential for a bill to pass both the House and the Senate in identical form. D. To become a law, it is essential for a bill to be supported by the President.
C
What is impeachment? Select the one correct answer. A. Impeachment is removal from office as a result of a formal accusation by the Senate. B. Impeachment is a "check" that any of the three branches of government may use to restrain an abuse of power in any of the other branches. C. Impeachment is a formal accusation of treason, bribery or other "high crime or misdemeanor" made by the House before a trial is held in the Senate. D. Impeachment is something that has never happened to a U.S. president.
C
What is the Constitutional importance of the census for Congress? Select the one correct answer. A. The census is used to calculate the number of registered voters for purposes of legislative representation. B. The census identifies areas likely to vote Democratic or Republican. C. The census provides population figures for the apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives. D. The census provides useful information on which areas of the country need which kinds of programs.
C
What is the purpose of a conference committee? Select the one correct answer. A. A conference committee is convened to resolve discrepancies between tax income and spending, involving the appropriations committee and the tax committee. B. A conference committee is convened to deal with subjects that committees from both chambers have an interest in. C. A conference committee is convened to resolve differences in bills from the House of Representatives and the Senate. D. A conference committee is convened to work out a deal between the Senate and the president.
C
What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer. A. Only the states could sign treaties. B. Congress could not establish departments within the institution. C. Congress could not enlist men for a national army. D. Congress could not declare war without the approval of the state governments.
C
Where are most bills prevented from becoming laws? Select the one correct answer. A. Being overturned by the Supreme Court B. By presidential veto C. In the committees of the House and Senate D. By a negative vote in either the House of Representatives or the Senate
C
Which of these are powers of the national government under the Articles of Confederation? Select one correct answer. A. The power to declare laws passed by other states as invalid B. The power to tax C. The power to declare war D. The power to enforce laws
C
Which of these is the most accurate statement about the process of a bill's becoming a law? Select the one correct answer. A. The process is dependent on the Congress alone. B. The process is exactly the same in the Senate and the House. C. The process is complex and full of steps, at any of which a bill may die and have to begin the process again. D. The process requires the approval of the Supreme Court, which must confirm that the bill is constitutional.
C
Which of these most accurately describes checks and balances? Select the one correct answer. A. The states and the federal government have different areas of responsibilities, and neither should intrude on the other. B. No branch of government will ever be more powerful than the others. C. Each branch can restrain the others through a system of shared powers. D. Each branch of government has an absolute right to stop the others from taking any action.
C
Which of these statements best describes the ruling of the Supreme Court on the issue of statistical sampling during a census? Select the one correct answer. A. The Supreme Court ruled that census procedures were up to the individual states, not the federal government. B. The Supreme Court permitted statistical sampling as long as the government presented evidence that certain identifiable groups were under-counted. C. The Supreme Court disallowed statistical sampling, saying that the Constitution requires an "actual enumeration." D. The Supreme Court permitted statistical sampling, noting the difficulties of counting over 300 million people.
C
Which of these statements is correct about the Senate? Select the one correct answer. A. The Senate has a Rules Committee that can set aside the Senate's standing rules for a specific debate. B. The Senate has a tradition of unlimited debate that can only be overcome by a majority vote. C. The Senate has a tradition of unlimited debate that can only be overcome by super-majority votes. D. The Senate has a tradition of unlimited debate that is absolute. A filibustering senator has the absolute right to the floor.
C
Which plan for representation argued for greater representation for the more populous states? Select the one correct answer. A. The New Jersey Plan B. The Connecticut Plan C. The Virginia Plan D. The New York Plan
C
Which statement about federal and unitary systems is most accurate? Select the one correct answer. A. There are more countries today with federal systems than with unitary systems. B. In a federal system, power is concentrated in the states. In a unitary system, power is concentrated in the national government. C. In a federal system, powers are divided between states and national governments. In a unitary system, all power is held within the national government. D. The United States and Japan have federal systems while Great Britain and Canada have unitary systems.
C
Why were foreign governments reluctant to loan money to the United States during the time of the Articles of Confederation? Select the one correct answer. A. Foreign governments feared that they would be attacked by the British government for loaning money to the United States after the American Revolution. B. Foreign governments feared the perception of "taxation without representation." C. Since the national government lacked the ability to tax its citizens, foreign governments feared that the national government would not be able to repay the loans. D. Foreign governments were not reluctant to loan money to the United States and embraced forming monetary agreements with the national government.
C
What best describes the ideas and beliefs of federal and state sovereignty in the Virginia Plan? Select the two correct answers. A. The Virginia Plan argued for a national government that had less sovereignty than state governments. B. Although the Virginia Plan differed from the New Jersey Plan in its idea of state representation, these plans had similar ideas for federal and state sovereignty. C. Supporters of the Virginia Plan believed that a strong national government was vital to the success of the United States. D. The Virginia Plan not only sought to give more representation to populous states, it also advocated for a national government that would legislate for the states.
C and D
Resting at the heart of the debate over the Virginia and New Jersey plans was: A. An argument over the desirability of westward expansion. B. A concern over the adequacy of the new nation's ability to fend off foreign invasion. C. The possibility that new states would be created, thus shifting political power within the system westward. D. A disagreement over the national government being representative of the people or of the states.
D
Several mechanisms were put into place to satisfy the fears of those who felt that if the Constitution gave the national government more power, it would be able to abuse its power and the rights of the people. Which is not one of those mechanisms? Select the one correct answer. A. Separation of powers B. Checks and balances C. The veto D. The Supremacy Clause
D
The motivation for those who introduced and promoted the Virginia Plan was: A. To assert a need for greater state cooperation in the face of foreign threats. B. To protect the institution of slavery. C. To more firmly entrench the confederal nature of the national government D. To shift more power to the national government.
D
The name of the series of essays published beginning in 1787 that argued in support of a strong federal government and the ratification of the Constitution was: A. The Brutus Papers B. The Pentagon Papers C. The Publius Papers D. The Federalist Papers
D
What debate did the Great Compromise settle so that the Constitutional Convention could continue? Select the one correct answer. A. The Great Compromise settled the debate between northern and southern states over whether or not slavery would continue in the United States. B. The Great Compromise settled the debate between northern and southern states over how slaves would be counted in regards to a state population for the purpose of representation in Congress. C. The Great Compromise settled the debate between the delegates who wanted to increase the powers of the national government and those who wanted to maintain state sovereignty. D. The Great Compromise settled the debate between the large states and small states over state representation in the legislative branch.
D
What gives a bill a better chance of becoming law? Select the one correct answer. A. A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it has support from the minority party. B. A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it is sent to a conference committee. C. A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it is a good bill. D. A bill has a a better chance of becoming law if it receives a favorable report and vote from committees in the House and Senate.
D
What was the ruling in the Supreme Court case Miller v. Johnson? Select the one correct answer. A. The ruling was that race may not be taken into account in redistricting. B. The ruling was that deliberate creation of majority-minority districts is unconstitutional. C. The ruling was that the 1965 Voting Rights Act is unconstitutional. D. The ruling was that race may not be the "dominant and controlling" motivation in redistricting.
D
Which check limits the power of Congressional law-making? Select the one correct answer. A. The need for a two-thirds majority in both houses of Congress is a limitation to Congressional law-making. B. Pre-approval by federal courts is a limitation to Congressional law-making. C. The need for approval by the states is a limitation to Congressional law-making. D. The president's power to veto is a limitation to Congressional law-making.
D
Which is not an accurate example of checks and balances in the national government? Select the one correct answer. A. Congress can refuse a request from the president for a declaration of war. B. The president can veto laws he or she disapproves of, and Congress can override a presidential veto. C. The Supreme Court can rule laws passed by Congress as unconstitutional. D. Congress has the power to declare laws and actions by the executive branch as unconstitutional.
D
Which of these statements describes a key difference between the House Rules Committee and the Senate Rules Committee? Select the one correct answer. A. The Senate Rules Committee is a select committee, while the House Rules Committee is a standing committee. B. The House Rules Committee has the power to vote a piece of legislation down, but the Senate Rules Committee does not. C. The Senate Rules Committee is more powerful because the Senate is governed by standing rules. D. The Rules Committee in the House typically limits debate, but the Rules Committee in the Senate does not.
D
Which plan for representation in the national legislature advocated for the voice of less populous states? Select the one correct answer. A. The Virginia Plan B. The Connecticut Plan C. The New York Plan D. The New Jersey Plan
D
Who has the most important role in foreign policy? Select the one correct answer. A. The president and Congress equally B. The Supreme Court C. Congress D. The president
D
Why did the Founding Fathers develop the system of checks and balances? Select the one correct answer. A. The Founding Fathers wanted a government with limited power like the Articles of Confederation. B. The Founding Fathers wanted to be able to provide taxes for governing without inferences. C. The Founding Fathers wanted to create a powerful executive leader in the presidency. D. The Founding Fathers feared a government that would be too strong.
D
The oversight power of Congress is a form of -Select- judicial enumerated implied - power.
Implied
