Question 1

Why did the Founders feel that it was critical to implement a system of separation of powers within the federal government?

Accepted Answer

The Founders felt that implementing a system of separation of powers would safeguard against abuses of power and tyranny at the federal level by preventing any one branch of government from becoming too powerful. This was seen as critical in maintaining the balance of power and protecting individual liberties.

Question 2

Under which framework of government is power divided between the state and national levels of government?

Accepted Answer

Federalism is the framework of government where power is divided between the state and national levels of government. This allows for a balance of power and authority between the two levels of government, ensuring that one does not have too much control over the other. Separation of powers refers to the division of government power among different branches, such as the legislative, executive, and judicial. Checks and balances refers to the system in which each branch of government can limit the power of other branches. Popular sovereignty refers to the idea that the ultimate source of government power lies with the people.

Question 3

What are enumerated powers?

Accepted Answer

Enumerated powers are powers specifically listed in the Constitution. Examples include the power to regulate commerce, declare war, raise an army, and establish a post office.

Question 4

In order for the Constitution to have any chance at being ratified to replace the Articles of Confederation, how many states were required to approve it?

Accepted Answer

Nine states were required to approve the Constitution for it to replace the Articles of Confederation. This requirement was established in Article VII of the Constitution.

Question 5

It is 1787, and Henry is a citizen of Rhode Island who is just now hearing about a new form of government political elites have been working on that would replace the Articles of Confederation. Henry is highly skeptical of this new form of government and does not see why the Articles of Confederation need to be completely overhauled. Henry is likely a(n) ______.

Accepted Answer

Henry is skeptical of the new form of government, indicating that he is against it. This aligns with the beliefs of the Anti-Federalists, who opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution and the creation of a strong, centralized federal government.

Question 6

Which philosopher served as the inspiration for the separation of powers?

Accepted Answer

Baron de Montesquieu is credited with the concept of separating powers among the different branches of government in his work "The Spirit of the Laws." This principle was influential in creating the system of checks and balances in the Constitution of the United States.

Question 7

What was the main reason the delegates conducted the Constitutional Convention under a strict code of secrecy?

Accepted Answer

The strict code of secrecy was put in place to prevent public opinion from pressuring delegates to avoid certain issues. The delegates wanted to be able to freely discuss and debate different ideas without fear of backlash from the public. This allowed them to work more effectively and come to a better consensus on what would eventually become the United States Constitution.

Question 8

In 2018, President Donald Trump appointed Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court. The Constitution grants the Senate the right to confirm presidential appointments to the Supreme Court during a process of advice and consent. The Senate narrowly confirmed Kavanaugh in a 50-48 vote. This is an example of which principle of American government?

Accepted Answer

The confirmation of Brett Kavanaugh by the Senate is an example of the principle of checks and balances. The Senate is exercising their constitutional duty to provide advice and consent on the President's appointment to the Supreme Court, which is a check on the executive branch's power to make unilateral appointments. Additionally, the confirmation process is one of many examples of how the three branches of government balance and limit each other's powers.

Question 9

Under the system of checks and balances, what must happen in order for policies to work effectively?

Accepted Answer

The system of checks and balances was designed to ensure that no one branch of government has too much power. Therefore, it is necessary for the legislative and executive branches to work together to pass and enforce effective policies. This requires compromise and collaboration between the two branches. The role of the judicial branch is to interpret the Constitution and ensure that policies are constitutional, but it is not necessary for every policy to be approved by the judiciary. States do not have the power to unilaterally approve or reject federal policies.

Question 10

Under the Constitution, Congress is given the power to make rules and regulations, but it is the responsibility of the president to enforce those rules and regulations once they become law. This is an example of ______.

Accepted Answer

The principle of separation of powers is demonstrated in this scenario, as the Constitution assigns the power to make laws to Congress (legislative branch) and the responsibility to enforce those laws to the president (executive branch). This helps to ensure a balance of power between the different branches of government. Popular sovereignty refers to the idea that the people are the ultimate source of authority in government. Federalism refers to the division of power between the national government and state governments. Reserved powers refer to powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government in the Constitution and are reserved for the states or the people.

Question 11

The Constitution establishes the right to vote for all citizens regardless of race, ethnicity, or gender. However, each state is responsible for determining its own systems of voting and who is on the ballot. What is this an example of?

Accepted Answer

This is an example of federalism because the Constitution establishes a broad principle for voting rights, but it leaves the details up to state governments to determine their own specific voting procedures and who gets on the ballot.

Question 12

How did the structure of government under the new Constitution differ from the structure of government in Great Britain at the time?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution separated the powers of the government into three branches, while Parliament combined legislative and executive powers.

Question 13

The division of federal power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches is known as ______.

Accepted Answer

The division of federal power between the executive, legislative, and judicial branches is known as the separation of powers. This system is designed to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power and to ensure that each branch has a different area of responsibility.

Question 14

The ability of states to handle concerns that are local to that state, while the federal government handles national concerns that affect society as a whole, is the basis for which system of the American government?

Accepted Answer

Federalism is the system of government in which power is divided between the central (federal) government and various state governments. This allows states to handle local concerns while the federal government handles national concerns that affect the entire country. The other options, separation of powers, enumerated powers, and checks and balances, relate to the division and balancing of power within the federal government itself, rather than between the federal and state governments.

Question 15

Which option best describes the Federalist position?

Accepted Answer

The Federalist position was in favor of the newly proposed Constitution. They believed in a strong central government and supported the idea of a Constitution that would give more power to the federal government.

Question 16

Suppose Nathaniel was a delegate who represented Pennsylvania at the Constitutional Convention. The draft of the Constitution has been finished and is now being slowly made available to the states and the public for consideration and potential ratification. Nathaniel is proud of what he and his other delegates have done and is hopeful for ratification. Nathaniel can be classified as a(n) ______.

Accepted Answer

Nathaniel's pride in the drafting of the Constitution and his hope for ratification suggest that he supported the document and the idea of a strong federal government, which aligns with the Federalist perspective.

Question 17

Why were the ratification conventions held in the dead of winter?

Accepted Answer

Holding the ratification conventions in the winter would limit the participation of poor farmers who were resistant to a strong government. These farmers were often unable to travel during the winter months due to harsh weather conditions and limited resources. This strategy helped to ensure that the ratification process was dominated by wealthy elites who were more likely to support a strong central government.

Question 18

What is the primary function of a system of checks and balances within the federal government?

Accepted Answer

The primary function of a system of checks and balances within the federal government is to ensure that no one branch of government can grow too powerful. This is achieved through the system of checks and balances that allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other two branches. This prevents any one branch from becoming too dominant and helps to maintain a balance of power within the federal government.

Question 19

What was the underlying belief informing the enumeration of powers in the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The underlying belief informing the enumeration of powers in the Constitution was that the federal government would be limited to only those powers listed in the Constitution. This was done to prevent the federal government from becoming too powerful and encroaching on the rights and powers of the states and individuals.

Question 20

Popular sovereignty under the Constitution reaffirmed the promise that ______.

Accepted Answer

The correct answer is C because popular sovereignty under the Constitution reaffirmed the promise that there would be no taxation without representation.

Quiz 2: The Founding and the Constitution