Deck 2: The Constitution and the Founding

Question 1

Under the Constitution, the president is in charge of regulating the domestic economy.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The most important initial decision of the framers was to create a bicameral Congress.

Answer 2

False

Question 3

The authors of the Articles of Confederation

A) embraced the strong executive model.
B) envisioned a strong Congress and a weak president.
C) envisioned strong federal courts.
D) embraced the belief that an executive leader could end up a tyrant.

Answer 3

D

Question 4

Ambiguity in the Constitution has historically promoted conflict in American politics.

Question 5

The Constitution places more limits on national government power than do the Articles of Confederation.

Question 6

The Virginia Plan proposed a parliamentary system of government.

Question 7

The Articles of Confederation served as the basis of organizing the government during the Revolutionary War.

Question 8

The Stamp Act of 1765 led many Americans to question the fairness of British rule.

Question 9

Shays's Rebellion highlighted the reality that Congress had too much power under the Articles of Confederation.

Question 10

James Madison was mostly concerned about the potential tyranny of minority factions.

Question 11

According to James Madison, the way to control majority tyranny was through checks and balances and federalism.

Question 12

Some federalists in the Constitutional Convention argued that state constitutions would be sufficient to protect individual liberties.

Question 13

The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution after it was already ratified.

Question 14

________ occurred after the Revolutionary War was over.

A) The Stamp Act
B) The Tea Act
C) The Boston Tea Party
D) Shays's Rebellion

Question 15

How did the Articles of Confederation limit government?

A) The Articles of Confederation included an executive and a judicial branch but no legislative branch.
B) The Articles of Confederation included a legislative and an executive branch but no judicial branch.
C) The Articles of Confederation did not create a federal level of government.
D) Federal power was given to the legislative branch, where each state had one vote.

Question 16

The framers of the Constitution anticipated the development of political parties.

Question 17

The framers of the Constitution perceived that most people were motivated by self-interest.

Question 18

Why did the British pass the Stamp Act of 1765?

A) to punish the colonists for pursuing independence
B) to help fund the French and Indian War
C) to help them colonize Africa
D) to allow them to cut taxes in Great Britain

Question 19

The original Constitution prevented a constitutional amendment banning the slave trade until 1808.

Question 20

The Supreme Court justices gave themselves the power of judicial review.

Question 21

Common Sense (1776) was a pamphlet that expressed support for ________.

A) a monarchy
B) a strong national government
C) anarchy
D) republican principles

Question 22

For James Madison, the problem associated with a tyranny of the majority was that

A) large factions might capture control of the government and ignore the rights of those in the minority.
B) the representative legislative branch would exercise too much power over the presidency.
C) regional majorities would become entrenched and prevent government from working for the common good.
D) the president would have too much power over the legislative agenda.

Question 23

The Annapolis Convention was

A) well attended by the states.
B) organized by a group of delegates from Virginia.
C) only attended by delegates from New York and Maryland.
D) organized to discuss the powers of the chief executive.

Question 24

Which one of the following is true about the Federalists and the Antifederalists?

A) They were the first two political parties in America.
B) They had similar views of how much national power was appropriate.
C) Americans largely supported one movement or the other following the drafting of the Constitution.
D) Americans generally favored the Articles of Confederation over the Constitution during the ratification debate.

Question 25

Which one of the following events exposed discontent with the new government and led to the Constitutional Convention?

A) Shays's Rebellion
B) the publication of Common Sense
C) the Declaration of Independence
D) Washington's election as president

Question 26

How did the framers design the Constitution to protect minority rights?

A) separation of powers and checks and balances
B) allowing majority tyranny to occur to protect the rights of the many
C) through the creation of political parties
D) through the creation of interest groups

Question 27

In his Second Treatise of Government (1689), John Locke wrote, "Being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty, or possessions." This sentiment is also expressed in

A) the preamble of the Constitution.
B) Article I of the Constitution.
C) Marshall's opinion in Marbury v. Madison.
D) the Declaration of Independence

Question 28

________ was the only state to boycott the Constitutional Convention.

A) New Hampshire
B) South Carolina
C) Rhode Island
D) Maine

Question 29

Despite significant agreement on the need for a ________ national government at the Constitutional Convention, there was serious division about ________.

A) weaker; how much stronger state governments should be
B) weaker; how much weaker the federal government should be
C) stronger; how much stronger the federal government should be
D) stronger; how much stronger state governments should be

Question 30

In Federalist 10, James Madison determined that the central problem for government is the need to control ________.

A) factions
B) for executive tyranny
C) a powerful Speaker of the House
D) anarchy

Question 31

Who wrote The Federalist Papers?

A) James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and John Jay
B) John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Alexander Hamilton
C) Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and Thomas Jefferson
D) James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay

Question 32

The main reaction to the failure of the Articles of Confederation was to

A) focus on resolving debates between the state governments.
B) rein in the power of the national government.
C) encourage stronger state governments.
D) make the national government stronger.

Question 33

To deal with the problem of factions, James Madison proposed

A) controlling them through checks and balances.
B) controlling them by prohibiting citizens from taking certain actions.
C) reducing factions by encouraging citizens to have the same interests.
D) eliminating factions through limits on individual liberties.

Question 34

Under the Articles of Confederation,

A) the president was very weak.
B) the national government and the states could both make treaties and coin money.
C) Congress had the power to regulate interstate commerce.
D) the House had more power than the Senate.

Question 35

What happened after the Revolutionary War?

A) economic prosperity
B) economic chaos
C) Congress compelled the states to pay their taxes.
D) One currency was used throughout the states.

Question 36

Which one of the following was created in order to protect minorities from majority tyranny?

A) a stronger presidency than under the Articles of Confederation
B) separation of powers between three branches of government
C) a direct democracy
D) a parliamentary system of governance

Question 37

In the context of economics in America in the eighteenth century,

A) there were no class differences whatsoever.
B) the North was largely agricultural while manufacturing was prominent in the South.
C) southerners favored free trade.
D) northerners favored free trade.

Question 38

What kind of government exists when the interests of the people are represented through their elected leaders?

A) monarchy
B) tyranny
C) republic
D) oligarchy

Question 39

Which one of the following concepts reflects the need to balance the principle of self-government against the rights of specific groups?

A) providing for both civil liberties and civil rights
B) protecting small states from powerful large states
C) creating a legislative government while allowing for executive leadership
D) providing for majority rule while protecting minority rights

Question 40

James Madison was an advocate of ________.

A) oligarchic rule
B) elitism
C) socialism
D) pluralism

Question 41

Which one of the following statements is accurate about the U.S. Constitution?

A) The president has more specific powers delineated in the Constitution than does Congress.
B) The Supreme Court received the most attention by the framers of the Constitution of the three primary institutions of government.
C) The creation of Congress was the most important issue to the framers of the Constitution, along with its assignment of duties.
D) The framers of the Constitution clearly wanted the president to have the power to tax.

Question 42

Why did the Connecticut delegation play a pivotal role in the Constitutional Convention?

A) Connecticut was one of the most populated states.
B) Connecticut was in a position to appeal to both large and small states.
C) Connecticut was one of the least populated states.
D) Connecticut's delegation was led by the prominent Benjamin Franklin.

Question 43

The elastic clause

A) increases the power of Congress.
B) decreases the power of Congress.
C) increases the power of the president.
D) decreases the power of the president.

Question 44

Who wanted to debate adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution during the Constitutional Convention?

A) James Madison and George Washington
B) James Madison and Alexander Hamilton
C) Thomas Jefferson and John Adams
D) George Mason and Elbridge Gerry

Question 45

The Three-Fifths Compromise illustrated

A) that abolitionists largely prevailed in Philadelphia.
B) the power of the southern delegates.
C) the power of the northern delegates.
D) that the slavery issue was satisfactorily addressed in Philadelphia.

Question 46

How many states were needed to ratify the Constitution?

A) 11 out of 13
B) 10 out of 13
C) 7 out of 13
D) 9 out of 13

Question 47

The concept of shared powers means that

A) the legislative and executive branches have equal powers.
B) in some areas of governmental action no branch has exclusive control.
C) the branches can exercise the same powers.
D) no branch can act without approval from other branches.

Question 48

Slave-state delegates wanted slaves counted for the purposes of ________ but did not want slaves counted when it came to the issue of ________.

A) representation; determining taxes
B) determining taxes; tariffs
C) tariffs; determining taxes
D) tariffs; representation

Question 49

The war powers held by the president and Congress are an example of ________.

A) shared powers
B) exclusive powers
C) powers of the purse
D) implied powers

Question 50

A form of government in which the executive leader is chosen by the legislature is called a ________ system.

A) separation of powers
B) presidential
C) parliamentary
D) democratic

Question 51

________ resulted in the creation of a bicameral Congress.

A) The Great Compromise
B) The Three-Fifths Compromise
C) The Virginia Plan
D) The New Jersey Plan

Question 52

What is a serious technical error in the Constitution?

A) The framers never envisioned the development of political parties.
B) The framers never envisioned the development of federal courts.
C) The framers provided for too many amendments in the original Constitution.
D) The framers did not consider the powers of Congress in a thorough manner.

Question 53

Why did the New Jersey delegates create the New Jersey Plan?

A) New Jersey was a small state and would therefore gain political power under an equal system.
B) New Jersey was a large state and would therefore gain political power under an equal system.
C) New Jersey was a small state and wanted to forge an alliance with the large states.
D) New Jersey was a large state but wanted to forge an alliance with the small states.

Question 54

Why was Congress viewed as the first branch of government by the framers of the Constitution?

A) because it was designed to be the most powerful of the three branches of government
B) because both chambers were directly elected by the people
C) because Congress had limited authority under the necessary and proper clause
D) because Congress could overturn Supreme Court decisions by passing a law

Question 55

Which article of the Constitution describes the procedures for ratification?

A) Article VII
B) Article VI
C) Article III
D) Article II

Question 56

Which one of the following concepts applies most directly to the balance of power between state and national governments?

A) parliamentary system
B) bicameralism
C) checks and balances
D) supremacy clause

Question 57

Which one of the following concepts best describes the problems associated with the Articles of Confederation?

A) separation of powers
B) tyranny of the minority
C) pluralism
D) checks and balances

Question 58

Under the Constitution,

A) Congress had the authority to ban the slave trade at any time.
B) no guidance was given in regard to the slave trade.
C) the president had the authority to ban the slave trade.
D) Congress had the authority to ban the slave trade but not until 1808 at the earliest.

Question 59

Antifederalists

A) were concerned that the president would have too much power.
B) supported the proposal that presidents should not be subject to term limits.
C) were concerned that the national government would not have sufficient power to
Promote economic prosperity.
D) generally opposed adding a Bill of Rights to the Constitution.

Question 60

Which one of the following addressed Antifederalist concerns about the absence of limits on national governing power?

A) Three-Fifths Compromise
B) separation of powers
C) Ninth Amendment
D) Tenth Amendment

Question 61

________ established the power of judicial review.

A) Marbury v. Madison
B) Fletcher v. Peck
C) McCulloch v. Maryland
D) Barron v. Baltimore

Question 62

When Congress authorizes an agency to spend money, it is using its ________.

A) power of the sword
B) shared power
C) power of the purse
D) reserved powers

Question 63

Which one of the following is an exclusive power of the legislative branch?

A) the ability to implement laws
B) the ability to create regulations
C) the power to declare war
D) the power to issue pardons

Question 64

Who is largely responsible for the creation of judicial review in the United States?

A) James Madison
B) Thomas Jefferson
C) John Marshall
D) Andrew Jackson

Question 65

The Constitution can be amended by

A) a three-fourths majority vote in Congress and a two-thirds ratification vote in the states.
B) a majority vote in Congress and a two-thirds ratification vote in the states.
C) a two-thirds majority vote in Congress and a three-fourths ratification vote in the states.
D) ratifying conventions in the states.

Question 66

The framers of the Constitution shared three key principles. What were they? Explain.

Question 67

The ability to remove someone because of corruption or abuse of power is called ________.

A) the power of the purse
B) impeachment
C) the power to pardon
D) the power to veto

Question 68

More than ________ amendments have been proposed in U.S. history.

A) 300
B) 3,000
C) 10,000
D) 100,000

Question 69

Why was Shays's Rebellion important?

Question 70

While the ________ can make decisions about how to use armed forces, only the ________ can make decisions about funding such actions.

A) president; Supreme Court
B) Congress; House of Representatives
C) president; Congress
D) House of Representatives; Senate

Question 71

What are two important negative checks that Congress can exercise over both the executive and the judicial branches?

A) alteration of their jurisdiction and overriding their decisions
B) overriding their decisions and impeachment
C) impeachment and the power of the purse
D) alteration of their jurisdiction and power of the purse

Question 72

Interpreting the Constitution

A) has been fairly consistent in the past 200 years.
B) has been affected by public opinion and social norms.
C) has not promoted conflict very often in U.S. history.
D) is an issue of great interest to most Americans.

Question 73

Which one of the following is a check that the president holds over the judicial branch?

A) the ability to nominate judges for the federal courts
B) the ability to veto decisions made by the Supreme Court
C) the ability to interpret the constitutionality of new laws
D) the ability to remove federal judges from office

Question 74

According to some legal scholars, why is the "living document" argument problematic for interpreting the Constitution today?

A) Ignoring the framers' intent can allow for arbitrary law based on the individual preferences and biases of judges.
B) The framers could not have envisioned the complex public policy issues of today, and an eighteenth-century document cannot adequately address contemporary societal problems.
C) Congress, not the Supreme Court, should have the right to determine the meaning of the Constitution.
D) The framers did not provide a means to amend the Constitution, so they did not want the structure of government to change over time.

Question 75

Which one of the following is a power the president can use to check the legislative branch?

A) judicial review
B) impeachment
C) veto
D) power of the sword

Question 76

The Antifederalists argued that the power of ________ was "a political error of the greatest magnitude."

A) the purse
B) the sword
C) the veto
D) declaring war

Question 77

What were the Federalist Papers and why are they important?

Question 78

While ________ powers are not held exclusively by any branch of government, ________ powers are those that one branch can exercise over the other.

A) negative; shared
B) shared; negative
C) shared; exclusive
D) exclusive; shared

Question 79

The Constitution is a "living document" because

A) there is a consensus among Americans that it should be strictly followed.
B) it is very explicit and clear.
C) there are a variety of viewpoints on how to interpret it.
D) Congress can change it through the amendment process.

Question 80

What events preceded Lord Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown, Virginia, in October 1781?