Question 1

When it comes to economics in America in the eighteenth century,

Accepted Answer

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.E) None of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 2

At the time of the ratification of the Constitution, what were its strengths? What were its weaknesses? What were the consequences of those strengths and weaknesses for future generations of Americans? Does the Constitution in the contemporary era still reflect those strengths and weaknesses?

Accepted Answer

The strengths of the Constitution at the...

Question 3

Which part of government was considered the weakest by the framers of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  state governments
B)  legislative branch
C)  judicial branch
D)  local governmentsE) None of the above
F) A) and C)

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A)  power of the sword.
B)  shared power.
C)  power of the purse.
D)  reserved powers.E) All of the above
F) B) and D)

Question 5

The values and goals held by the framers of the Constitution were strongly shaped by their two previous political experiences: being ruled by the British monarchy and their own government under the Articles of Confederation.What were the principal lessons they learned from each of these experiences? How did these lessons impact the goals of the framers of the Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution was created through conflict and compromise.The framers were clearly influenced first by the conflictual relationship that Americans had with the British government.The first event that prompted many American colonists to question the fairness of British rule was the Stamp Act of 1765, which imposed a tax on many publications and documents in the colonies.The British Parliament members created the tax to help pay for the French and Indian War.Many colonists viewed this as taxation without representation, because they had no representatives in British Parliament.This event was later followed by the Tea Act (1773) and subsequent Boston Tea Party.The British responded with the Coercive Acts (or Intolerable Acts) of 1774.Further attempts to resolve the escalating conflict failed, culminating in the Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution.Thus, Americans were very much opposed and distrustful of both a strong executive and a distant government.To American leaders at the time, a unitary system of government was associated with tyranny, so they created the polar opposite structure with the Articles of Confederation.In creating a weak national government, they clearly felt comfortable with entrusting their liberties with state governments.In so doing, they unwittingly created a dysfunctional government that could not protect the people, provide for a stable economy, or keep and maintain a sense of national unity.Thus, the framers learned from not only their experience with the British but the mistakes that were made with the creation of a confederal form of government, prompting them to create a federal republic as a compromise measure.

Question 6

What is the supremacy clause and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

The supremacy clause is part of Article VI of the federal Constitution.The Constitution is the supreme law of the land in the United States, but national laws take precedence over state laws.The new Constitution created a stronger national government than the Congress under the Articles of Confederation.

Question 7

The Constitution is a "living document"

Accepted Answer

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

Question 8

A faction is a group of ________ that seek to control government power to ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  minority interests; protect themselves from everyone else
B)  majority interests; promote the public good
C)  minority interests; promote the public good
D)  minority or majority interests; pursue their own interestsE) A) and B)
F) A) and C)

Question 9

America's relative economic equality compared to Europe did NOT influence the context of debates at the Constitutional Convention.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

There are 27 amendments to the U.S.Constitution out of more than 10,000 proposed in Congress in U.S.history.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which article of the Constitution describes the procedures for ratification?

Accepted Answer

A)  Article VII
B)  Article VI
C)  Article III
D)  Article IIE) C) and D)
F) None of the above

Question 12

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

Accepted Answer

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 purseE) All of the above
F) B) and C)

Question 13

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False  True

Question 14

Explain how the Constitution is still relevant in the early twenty-first century.

Accepted Answer

The Constitution is still relevant becau...

Question 15

When did the Revolutionary War end?

Accepted Answer

A)  1779
B)  1781
C)  1784
D)  1786E) C) and D)
F) A) and D)

Question 16

Which key part of the government was formed under the Articles of Confederation?

Accepted Answer

A)  direct election of members of Congress by the people
B)  a federal court system
C)  a weak national government
D)  an executive branch led by the presidentE) A) and C)
F) A) and D)

Question 17

The Constitution can be amended

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

The framers of the Constitution ultimately endorsed John Locke's ideas about having a strong executive.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 19

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

Accepted Answer

Many important events preceded the Briti...

Question 20

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

Accepted Answer

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 groupsE) All of the above
F) C) and D)

Exam 2: The Constitution and the Founding

When it comes to economics in America in the eighteenth century,

Correct Answer
verified

At the time of the ratification of the Constitution, what were its strengths? What were its weaknesses? What were the consequences of those strengths and weaknesses for future generations of Americans? Does the Constitution in the contemporary era still reflect those strengths and weaknesses?

Correct Answer
verified
The strengths of the Constitution at the...
View Answer

Which part of government was considered the weakest by the framers of the Constitution?

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified

What is the supremacy clause and why is it important?

The Constitution is a "living document"

Correct Answer
verified

A faction is a group of that seek to control government power to .

Correct Answer
verified

America's relative economic equality compared to Europe did NOT influence the context of debates at the Constitutional Convention.

Correct Answer
verified

There are 27 amendments to the U.S.Constitution out of more than 10,000 proposed in Congress in U.S.history.

Correct Answer
verified

Which article of the Constitution describes the procedures for ratification?

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified
True

Explain how the Constitution is still relevant in the early twenty-first century.

Correct Answer
verified
The Constitution is still relevant becau...
View Answer

When did the Revolutionary War end?

Correct Answer
verified

Which key part of the government was formed under the Articles of Confederation?

Correct Answer
verified

The Constitution can be amended

Correct Answer
verified

The framers of the Constitution ultimately endorsed John Locke's ideas about having a strong executive.

Correct Answer
verified

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

Correct Answer
verified
Many important events preceded the Briti...
View Answer

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

Correct Answer
verified

Exam 2: The Constitution and the Founding

When it comes to economics in America in the eighteenth century,

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

At the time of the ratification of the Constitution, what were its strengths? What were its weaknesses? What were the consequences of those strengths and weaknesses for future generations of Americans? Does the Constitution in the contemporary era still reflect those strengths and weaknesses?

Correct AnswerverifiedThe strengths of the Constitution at the...View AnswerShow Answer

Which part of government was considered the weakest by the framers of the Constitution?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

What is the supremacy clause and why is it important?

The Constitution is a "living document"

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

A faction is a group of ________ that seek to control government power to ________.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

America's relative economic equality compared to Europe did NOT influence the context of debates at the Constitutional Convention.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

There are 27 amendments to the U.S.Constitution out of more than 10,000 proposed in Congress in U.S.history.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which article of the Constitution describes the procedures for ratification?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedTrue

Explain how the Constitution is still relevant in the early twenty-first century.

Correct AnswerverifiedThe Constitution is still relevant becau...View AnswerShow Answer

When did the Revolutionary War end?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Which key part of the government was formed under the Articles of Confederation?

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The Constitution can be amended

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

The framers of the Constitution ultimately endorsed John Locke's ideas about having a strong executive.

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedMany important events preceded the Briti...View AnswerShow Answer

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

Correct AnswerverifiedShow Answer

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified
The strengths of the Constitution at the...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
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Correct Answer
verified

A faction is a group of that seek to control government power to .

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
True

Correct Answer
verified
The Constitution is still relevant becau...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified

Correct Answer
verified
Many important events preceded the Briti...
View Answer

Correct Answer
verified