Federal Government Chapter 2 Constitution

Three-Fifths Compromise

A compromise worked out at the 1787 convention between northern states and southern states. Each slave was to be counted as three-fifths of a person for purposes of federal taxation and congressional apportionment (number of seats in the House of Representatives).

New Jersey (small-state) Plan

A constitutional proposal for a strengthened Congress but one in which each state would have a single vote, thus granting a small state the same legislative power as a larger state.

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal for a strengthened Congress but one in which each state would have a single vote, thus granting a small state the same legislative power as a larger state.

Virginia (large-state) Plan

A constitutional proposal for a strong Congress with two chambers, both of which would be based on numerical representation, thus granting more power to the larger states.

What happened as a result of Shays' Rebellion?

A convention was called for, to meet in Annapolis.

Democracy

A form of government in which the people govern, either directly or through elected representatives.

Republic

A form of government in which the people's representatives decide policy through institutions structured in ways that foster deliberation, slow the progress of decision making, and operate within restraints that protect individual liberty. To the framers, the Constitution's separation of powers and other limits on power were defining features of a republican form of government, as opposed to a democratic form, which places no limits on the majority.

Constitutional Democratic Republic

A government that is constitutional in its provisions for minority rights and rule by law; democratic in its provisions for majority influence through elections; and a republic in its mix of deliberative institutions, which check and balance each other.

Limited Government

A government that is subject to strict limits on its lawful uses of power and, hence, on its ability to deprive people of their liberty.

Bureaucracy

A large, complex organization composed of appointed officials

Federalist

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

Social Contract

A voluntary agreement by individuals to form a government that is then obligated to work within the confines of that agreement.

in choosing the president th number of members of the House and Senate from aa staate determins the state's number _______. A. Electoral votes B. Legal Citizen C. Party Officialas D. Cabinet members

A. Electoral votes

The mechanism by which political authority is divided between national government and the states is ______. Choose one Answer. A. Federalism B. the Bill of Rights C. judicial review D. separated institutions

A. Federalism

The concept of separation of powers was proposed by ______. Choose one answer. A. Montesquieu B. Descartes C. Locke D. Voltaire

A. Montesquieu

Why was there strong support for a bill of rights during the debate over ratification of the Constitution? Choose one answer. A. fear that the national government would not respect people's rights. B. concern that the presidency would turn into a dictatorship. C. worry that the judiciary would fail to protect people's rights. D. fear that the state governments would not respect people's rights

A. fear that the national government would not respect people's rights

subordinate

(adj.) lower in rank or position, secondary; (n.) one who is in a lower position or under the orders of someone else; (v.) to put in a lower or secondary position

The U.S. Constitution placed limitations on popular rule in which of the following ways? Choose All that Apply. A. having U.S. senators elected by state legislatures. B. limiting the right to vote to only natural-born citizens of European descent. C. having the president elected by the Electoral College D. having U.S. senators elected by the House of Representatives E. having the president nominate federal judges

A. having U.S. senators elected by state legislatures. C. having the president elected by the Electoral College E. having the president nominate federal judges.

The U.S. Constitution placed limitations on popular rule in which of the following ways? Multiple select question. A. having the president elected by the Electoral College B. having the president nominate federal judges C. having U.S. senators elected by the House of Representatives D. having U.S. senators elected by state legislatures E. limiting the right to vote to only natural-born citizens of European descent

A. having the president elected by the Electoral College B. having the president nominate federal judges. D. having U.S. senators elected by state legislatures

Goals of the framers of the Constitution included ______. Choose all that apply. A. preserving the states as governing entities. B. dividing power between the national government and the states C. creating a national government that could meet the nation's defense needs. D. giving the president the same level of power as the British monarchy

A. preserving the states as governing entities B. dividing power between the national government and the states C. creating a national government that could meet the nation's defense needs

One goal of the framers of the Constitution was to ______. Choose one answer. A. prevent the federal government from interfering in commerce B. preserve the states as governing entities C. eliminate state governments in favor of one national government D. give more power to the states

A. prevent the federal government from interfering in commerce

In the framers' view, a republican government does which of the following? (Choose every correct answer.) A. reduces the likelihood of reckless, hasty actions. B. reduces the risk of tyranny of the majority. C. gives absolute authority to the majority. D. adds constraints that protect the rights of individuals.

A. reduces the likelihood of reckless, hasty actions. B. reduces the risk of tyranny of the majority. D. adds constraints that protect the rights of individuals

In the framers' view, a republican government does which of the following? (Choose every correct answer.) Multiple select question. A. reduces the risk of tyranny of the majority. B. adds constraints that protect the rights of individuals. C. reduces the likelihood of reckless, hasty actions. D. gives absolute authority to the majority.

A. reduces the risk of tyranny of the majority. D. gives absolute authority to the majority.

At the time the Constitution was created, what was the only institution that would be based on direct popular election? Choose One Answer. A. the House of Representatives B. the presidency C. the Senate D. the chief justice of the Supreme Court

A. the House of Representatives

The Bill of Rights limited the power of ______. Multiple choice question. A. the national government B. local governments C. members of Congress in particular D. the states

A. the national government

Who among the following felt threatened by Shays' Rebellion? Multiple choice question. A. the wealthy B. soldiers C. farmers D. slaves

A. the wealthy

Primary Election

Also called a direct primary, a form of election in which voters choose a party's nominees for public office. In most states, eligibility to vote in a primary election is limited to voters who designated themselves as party members when they registered to vote.

Electoral College

An unofficial term that refers to the electors who cast the states' electoral votes.

Grants of Power

The method of limiting the U.S. government by confining its scope of authority to those powers expressly granted in the Constitution.

grants of power

The method of limiting the U.S. government by confining its scope of authority to those powers expressly granted in the Constitution.

Electoral Votes

The method of voting used to choose the U.S. president. Each state has the same number of electoral votes as it has members in Congress (House and Senate combined). By tradition, electoral voting is tied to a state's popular voting. The candidate with the most popular votes in a state (or, in a few states, the most votes in a congressional district) receives its electoral votes.

judicial review

The power of courts to decide whether a governmental institution has acted within its constitutional powers and, if not, to declare its action null and void.

Liberty

The principle that individuals should be free to act and think as they choose, provided they do not infringe unreasonably on the freedom and well-being of others

separated institutions sharing power

The principle that, as a way to limit government, its powers should be divided among separate branches, each of which also shares in the power of the others as a means of checking and balancing them. The result is that no one branch can exercise power decisively without the support or acquiescence of the others.

separated institutions sharing power.

The principle that, as a way to limit government, its powers should be divided among separate branches, each of which also shares in the power of the others as a means of checking and balancing them. The result is that no one branch can exercise power decisively without the support or acquiescence of the others.

inalienable (natural) rights

Those rights that persons theoretically possessed in the state of nature, prior to the formation of governments. These rights, including those of life, liberty, and property, are considered inherent and as such are inalienable. Since government is established by people, government has the responsibility to preserve these rights.

During the debate over ratification of the Constitution, what objections did the Anti-Federalists raise? Multiple select question. A. The new Constitution actually lacked a centralized government B. The Constitution failed to grant taxing power to the national government. C. Too much power was being taken from the states and given to the national government. D. The Constitution lacked a bill of rights.

`C. Too much power was being taken from the states and given to the national government. D. The Constitution lacked a bill of rights.

Despite the original purpose of the Philadelphia convention, which was to revise the Articles of Confederation, from its beginning prominent delegates were determined to ______.

create a stronger central government.

True or false: The Virginia Plan favored the states with smaller populations.

false:

The challenge facing the framers was how to reconcile ______.

representative government and limited government

Representative Government

system of government in which public policies are made by officials selected by the voters and held accountable in periodic elections

Judiciary

the judicial authorities of a country; judges collectively

The American Revolution was partly a rebellion against Britain's failure to ______.

uphold colonial traditions of self-government

Which of the following are elements of the social contract that John Locke believed was the foundation of government? Chose all that are correct. 1. If a government does not respect the natural rights of the people, the people can rightfully rebel against it. 2. People submit to governmental authority in return for the protection it can provide, if it respects their rights. 3. People are born with certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and property. 4. In an advanced society, the primary duty of the people is to serve the needs of the government.

1. If a government does not respect the natural rights of the people, the people can rightfully rebel against it. 2. People submit to governmental authority in return for the protection it can provide, if it respects their rights. 3. People are born with certain inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and property.

According to the Virginia Plan, who or what would exercise power in all areas "in which the separate states are incompetent"? Which one is correct? 1. the Supreme Court 2. a gubernatorial convention 3. the president 4. Congress

4. Congress

Which of the following statements describe the terms democracy and republic as understood by the framers of the Constitution? Choose all that apply. A. The government of a republic responds to the needs of the majority while protecting the minority. B. In a democracy the power of the majority is unlimited. C. Democracy and republic are interchangeable terms. D. The separation of powers is a characteristic of republican government.

A. The government of a republic responds to the needs of the majority while protecting the minority. B. In a democracy the power of the majority is unlimited. C. The separation of powers is a characteristic of republican government.

What were some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? Choose all that are correct. A. The national government depended on the states for its funding, and they often didn't pay their full share. B. The Articles placed a tax on all imported goods. C. The legislature was bicameral, meaning power was shared among two houses. D. The national government did not have the power to regulate commerce between the states. Correct Answer

A. The national government depended on the states for its funding, and they often didn't pay their full share. D. The national government did not have the power to regulate commerce between the states.

What were some of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation? Multiple select question. A. The national government did not have the power to regulate B.commerce between the states. C. The national government depended on the states for its funding, and they often didn't pay their full share. D. The Articles placed a tax on all imported goods. E. The legislature was bicameral, meaning power was shared among two houses.

A. The national government did not have the power to regulate C. The national government did not have the power to regulate commerce between the states.

Why didn't Congress respond with troops when the governor of Massachusetts asked for assistance during Shays' Rebellion? Which one was correct? A. There were no troops to send. B. Because slavery was the central issue, Congress hesitated to become involved. C. Wealthy congressmen had no interest in quashing the rebellion. D. There was an ongoing dispute between a congressional faction and the governor.

A. There were no troops to send.

Who argued that "A bill of rights is what the people are entitled to against every government on earth, general or particular, and what no just government should refuse or rest on inference"? Choose one answer. A. Thomas Jefferson B. John Adams C. James Madison D. George Washington

A. Thomas Jefferson

For the Federalists, the Bill of Rights was Blank______. Multiple choice question. A. a political necessity to get the Constitution ratified B.modeled after the French constitution C. modeled after the Georgia constitution D. always intended to be developed in consultation with the E. state governments

A. a political necessity to get the Constitution ratified

Andrew Jackson believed the public should ______. Choose One Answer. A. be more fully involved in government. B seek out education and wealth in order to participate in government C. have more faith in their leaders. D. have less involvement in government.

A. be more fully involved in government

The U.S. system of government created by the founders in 1787 can be described as which of the following? Choose all that Apply. A. constitutional B. authoritarian C. populist D. republic

A. constitutional D. republic

Which of the following are constitutional grants of power to the national government? Multiple select question. A. declaring war against another nation. B. taxation C. establishing a system of public schools. D. raising an army

A. declaring war against another nation. B. taxation C. raising an army

The U.S. system of government is said to be ______ in providing for majority influence through elections. Choose one Answer. A. democratic B. bicameral C. aristocratic D. authoritarian

A. democratic

As defined by the framers, who or what limits the majority's power in a democracy? Choose an Answer. A. a strong executive B. nothing and no one C a system of checks and balances D. a nonpartisan court system

B. nothing and no one

The Philadelphia convention was called to ______. Choose. A. defeat Shays' army B. revise the Articles of Confederation C. get a consensus on how to deal with Native American tribes on the western frontier D. decide whether to ratify a treaty with Britain

B. revise the Articles of Confederation

The Philadelphia convention was called to ______. Multiple choice question. A. defeat Shays' army B. revise the Articles of Confederation C. get a consensus on how to deal with Native American tribes on the western frontier E.decide whether to ratify a treaty with Britain

B. revise the Articles of Confederation

According to John Locke's theory, called the Blank______, people agree to form a government in order to protect society from the actions of dangerous individuals. Multiple choice question. A. ratification debate B. social contract C. bill of rights D. great compromise

B. social contract

Following the French and Indian War, Britain for the first time imposed what on the colonies? Choose the correct one. A. the suspension of the right to trial by jury B. the implementation of heavy taxation C. the suspension of habeus corpus D. the dissolution of elected assemblies

B. the implementation of heavy taxation

In a majority of the state conventions to ratify the Constitution (8 of 13), it was claimed that Blank______ would have the power to nullify actions that violated the Constitution. Multiple choice question. A. The Senate B. the judiciary C. the executive D. the House

B. the judiciary

In a majority of the state conventions to ratify the Constitution (8 of 13), it was claimed that ______ would have the power to nullify actions that violated the Constitution. Choose one Answer. A. the executive B. the judiciary C. the House D. the Senate

B. the judiciary

Amending the Articles of Confederation required Blank______ states to approve of the amendment. Multiple choice question. A. eleven B. thirteen C. seven D. nine

B. thirteen

Amending the Articles of Confederation required ______ states to approve of the amendment. Multiple choice question. A. eleven B. thirteen C. seven D. nine

B. thirteen

The tyranny of the majority feared by the framers of the Constitution occurs when the majority ______. Choose One Answer. A. stifles all important business in the Congress B. tramples on the rights of the minority C. overwhelms the police powers of the states D. refuses to recognize the president's authority

B. tramples on the rights of the minority

Which of the following methods of electing the president were considered by the delegates to the constitutional convention? Choose each answer. A. vote by the members of the Senate only B. vote by state legislatures C. direct election by the people D. vote of Congress E. vote by the Supreme Court

B. vote by state legislatures C. direct election by the people D. vote of Congress

A key concern for the group known as the ______ was that the proposed Constitution lacked a bill of rights. Multiple choice question. A. Whigs B. Nationalists C. Anti-Federalists D. Federalists

C. Anti-Federalists

Southern delegates to the Philadelphia convention were determined to ______. Choose One Question. A. encourage federal oversight of interstate commerce B. ensure that a bicameral legislature was preserved C. block any attempt to end slavery D. encourage all efforts to promote industrial development in the South

C. block any attempt to end slavery

The mechanism by which political authority is divided between national government and the states is ______. Multiple choice question. A. separated institutions B. the Bill of Rights C. federalism D. judicial review

C. federalism

The belief that the power of government can be controlled by dividing it into several branches instead of concentrating it in one area is known as ______. Chose one. A. due process B. asset diversification C. separation of powers D. denials of power

C. separation of powers

The framers tried to balance the need to give people a voice in their government against the need to prevent ______. Choose one Answer. A. elitists gaining control B. separation of powers C. the tyranny of the majority D. the abolition of slavery

C. the tyranny of the majority

executive

Carries out the laws

the farmers goal of a government that would not threaten liberty was to be accomplished by______. A. Federalism B. substantial grants of power to the federal government C. Provisions for the direct and indirect election of public officals D. An elaborate system of checks and balances

D. An elaborate system of checks and balances

As president, Andrew Jackson implemented much of what ______ had foreshadowed. Choose one Answer. A. John Adams B. George Washington C. Benjamin Franklin D. Thomas Jefferson

D. Thomas Jefferson

What provision had been removed from Jefferson's initial draft of the Declaration of Independence at the insistence of southern states? Choose the corect one. A. a plan to gradually free slaves and compensate owners B. a declaration that slavery would be outlawed by 1808 C. a statement that slavery was a foundational institution of the new nation D. a statement critical of slavery

D. a statement critical of slavery

The framers' goal of a government that would not threaten liberty was to be accomplished by Blank______. Multiple choice question. A. provisions for the direct and indirect election of public officials B. substantial grants of power to the C.federal government federalism D. an elaborate system of checks and balances

D. an elaborate system of checks and balances

Powers specifically prohibited from belonging to the state and national governments in the Constitution are known as ______. Choose one answer. A. grants of power B. Grants of power are granted to the national government in the Constitution. C. federalism D. denials of power concurrent power

D. denials of power

In the Electoral College, each state has electors equal to ______. Choose One. A. the number of its representatives in the House B. a subset of its wealthiest citizens C. a fixed proportion of its population. D. its representation in Congress

D. its representation in Congress

A government that is subject to strict legal constraints on the uses of power so as not to threaten the people's liberty is a Blank______. Multiple choice question. A. unlimited government B. representative government C. authoritarian government D. limited government

D. limited government

The agreement of Blank______ states was required to enact legislation under the Articles of Confederation. Multiple choice question. A.eleven B. thirteen C. seven D. nine

D. nine

Americans' personal freedom at the time the Constitution was being created is best characterized as ______. Choose one answer. A. roughly equal to that in most of Europe B. roughly equal to that in England C. significantly restricted by state governments. D. unparalleled

D. unparalleled

What was the first opportunity to determine whether or not the judiciary had the power to nullify actions that violated the Constitution? Multiple choice question. A. when a president fired the secretary of war B. when a slave sued for his freedom because he was C. taken into a free state D. when a president refused to submit a treaty for ratification E. when a dispute arose after the election of 1800

E. when a dispute arose after the election of 1800

True or false: The Virginia Plan favored the states with smaller populations.

False: It favored larger states.

A government that is subject to strict legal constraints on the uses of power so as not to threaten the people's liberty is a ______.

Limited Government

Open Party Caucuses

Meetings at which a party's candidates for nomination are voted on and that are open to all the party's rank-and-file voters who want to attend

Another term for "inalienable rights" is ______ rights.

Natural

The agreement of Blank______ states was required to enact legislation under the Articles of Confederation.

Nine

Which British policy was the main source of dispute for the American colonists?

Taxation Without Representation

Great Compromise

The agreement of the constitutional convention to create a two-chamber Congress with the House apportioned by population and the Senate apportioned equally by state.

Checks and Balances

The elaborate system of divided spheres of authority provided by the U.S. Constitution as a means of controlling the power of government. The separation of powers among the branches of the national government, federalism, and the different methods of selecting national officers is part of this system.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution. They include rights such as freedom of speech and religion and due process protections (for example, the right to a jury trial) for persons accused of crimes.

Constitution

The fundamental law that defines how a government will legitimately operate.