Question 1

A ________ is a person who believes that the U.S. Constitution should not be amended by judges and that judges should adhere closely to the document's text.

Accepted Answer

Strict constructionists adhere to a strict interpretation of the Constitution and believe that judges should not interpret it beyond its literal text. They argue that the Constitution should be amended through the formal amendment process rather than through judicial interpretation.

Question 2

The idea of a "living constitution" means

Accepted Answer

The concept of a "living constitution" suggests that the interpretation of the Constitution can adapt to changing societal norms and values. It does not necessarily mean that the Constitution should be amended constantly or that each generation should create a new constitution. Instead, the judiciary can shape the interpretation of the Constitution to fit contemporary issues and values.

Question 3

There are ________ amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Accepted Answer

There are currently 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Question 4

The process of ratifying the Constitution generated extensive debates. Why did the Antifederalists object to the Constitution? What were the rejoinders of the Federalists? In your opinion, who had the better arguments, and why?

Accepted Answer

The answer of The process of ratifying the Constitution generated...

Question 5

Which of the following statements best describes the framers' view of liberty?

Accepted Answer

The framers viewed government as necessary to create and maintain liberty by ensuring order and protecting individual rights. They believed that without government, individuals would revert to a state of anarchy in which their liberties would not be secure. Therefore, they created a system of limited government with checks and balances to protect individual liberties while still maintaining order.

Question 6

The most important political value for the framers of the Constitution was ________.

Accepted Answer

The framers of the Constitution prioritized individual liberty above all else. This is evident in the inclusion of the Bill of Rights, which explicitly protects individual rights such as freedom of speech and religion. While the Constitution does contain some democratic principles, such as the use of representative government, it also contains anti-democratic provisions such as the Electoral College. The Constitution does not prioritize economic equality or civic virtue, although these were certainly ideals that some framers held.

Question 7

Describe some of the problems under the Articles of Confederation that led to the drafting of a new constitution. Why were the Articles deemed inadequate for governing the United States during peacetime? What crises, real or potential, did many political actors fear?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe some of the problems under the...

Question 8

How many amendments to the Constitution have been formally proposed in Congress in U.S. history?

Accepted Answer

Over 11,000 amendments have been formally proposed in Congress throughout U.S. history, though only 27 have been ratified.

Question 9

Describe and analyze the conflicts and compromises that occurred during the drafting of the Constitution. What was the conflict between the large and small states, and how did the Great Compromise resolve it? What was the nature of the conflict regarding slavery during the Philadelphia Convention? How did the Three-fifths Compromise address this conflict?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe and analyze the conflicts and compromises...

Question 10

The most common method of passing an amendment to the Constitution is

Accepted Answer

The most common method of passing an amendment to the Constitution is through a two-step process. The amendment must first be proposed by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures. Once proposed, the amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or conventions. This method is outlined in Article V of the Constitution and has been used for all 27 amendments to the Constitution. Therefore, the correct answer is A.

Question 11

Describe some of the principles behind the Constitution. Discuss how separation of powers and checks and balances are supposed to operate. How did the Constitution arrange the power relationships between the national government and the states?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe some of the principles behind the...

Question 12

Successful amendments to the Constitution

Accepted Answer

Successful amendments to the Constitution have mostly been about the structure or composition of the government. These amendments have been crucial in shaping the government's fundamental principles and how it interacts with the citizens. Examples of such amendments include the Bill of Rights, the 12th Amendment, the 13th Amendment, and the 17th Amendment.

Question 13

One reason for the Constitution's longevity is that it

Accepted Answer

The Constitution's longevity is due in part to its ability to balance and distribute power among different branches of government, as well as among the states and the federal government. This prevented any one group or class from gaining permanent advantage and allowed for necessary adaptations over time through the amendment process.

Question 14

The Federalists believed that the powers of government could be limited by

Accepted Answer

The Federalists believed in a strong central government but also emphasized the importance of checks and balances within the government to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.

Question 15

Procedures outlining how to amend the Constitution are found in Article ________.

Accepted Answer

Article V of the U.S. Constitution outlines the procedures for amending the Constitution.

Question 16

Describe the causes and effects of the American Revolution. What were the colonists' grievances against the British? What were some of the economic, social, political, and geographic conflicts among the colonists themselves? What kind of new government was established under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Describe the causes and effects of the...

Question 17

A ________ vote by both houses of Congress and a ratification vote of ________ of the states are required to amend the U.S. Constitution.

Accepted Answer

According to Article V of the U.S. Constitution, a proposed amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states, and it must first be passed by two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. Therefore, the correct answer is B, two-thirds vote by both houses of Congress and a ratification vote of three-fourths of the states.

Quiz 2: The Founding and the Constitution