Constitution AP Flashcards

Questions and Answers

The process shown in the diagram is outlined in which of the following parts of the United States Constitution?

Article V

The process in the diagram reflects which of the following about the perspective of the framers on constitutional government?

The system should be able to accommodate political change, but the process for change should incorporate checks and balances.

Which of the following statements best explains why efforts to make it illegal to burn or desecrate the American flag have been unsuccessful?

The framers made the amendment process difficult in order to protect individual rights.

American political culture is characterized by strong popular support for all of the following EXCEPT:

Economic equality Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is commonly identified as a failure of the Articles of Confederation?

The national government lacked an effective power to raise revenue. Signup and view all the answers

All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT:

Dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties Signup and view all the answers

Under the Articles of Confederation, which of the following were true? I. Congress could not tax the states directly. II. The executive branch of government exercised more power than Congress. III. Congress was a unicameral body. IV. States were represented in Congress proportionally according to population.

I and III Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best captures the author's argument regarding the forms of democracy?

Pluralist democracy, though it involves groups at different stages of the process of developing policy, excludes a significant portion of the population. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances?

A rule issued by a bureaucratic agency may be declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances, as established by the Constitution?

The requirement that presidential appointments to the Supreme Court be approved by the Senate. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of the constitutional design of checks and balances?

The Senate rejects a president's nomination for secretary of state. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the checks held by the legislative and judicial branches?

Legislative checks to the judicial branch-> Impeaching and removing federal judges; Judicial checks to the legislative branch-> Declaring an entire law unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

Unlike the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution does which of the following?

Emphasizes both national sovereignty and federalism. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the correct pairing of powers found in the Articles of Confederation and powers found in the Constitution?

Articles of Confederation-> Unicameral legislature; United States Constitution-> Bicameral legislature. Signup and view all the answers

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise provided for:

A bicameral legislature with one house's composition based upon state population and another's on equal state representation. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a correct comparison between the United States Constitution and the Articles of Confederation?

United States Constitution-> Granted Congress the power to levy taxes; Articles of Confederation-> Granted states alone the power to levy taxes. Signup and view all the answers

As originally ratified, the United States Constitution included provisions designed to:

Increase the economic powers of the central government. Signup and view all the answers

After a constitutional amendment has been proposed by both houses of Congress, its adoption requires:

Ratification by three-fourths of the states. Signup and view all the answers

One example of constitutional checks and balances is:

The House can impeach federal judges and the president, and the Senate holds the impeachment trial. Signup and view all the answers

Of the following, the most significant difference between the Constitution of 1787 and the Articles of Confederation was that the Constitution:

Provided for a strong national government with many powers, while the Articles created a weak central government with few independent powers. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately characterizes the main difference between elite theories and pluralist theories of politics in the United States?

Elite theories argue that a single minority dominates politics in all policy areas; pluralist theories argue that many minorities compete for power in different policy areas. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was the most important effect of replacing the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of 1787?

The creation of a strong national government. Signup and view all the answers

Throughout most of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, most African Americans were prevented from voting in many Southern states despite the Fifteenth Amendment, which extended the right to vote to African American males. Southern states were able to take this action because:

The framers allowed the individual states to create voting processes and voter qualifications. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is the best example of a constitutional concept that supports the vision of the United States as a union of states, rather than a union of individual citizens?

The electoral college. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances in action in the United States government?

The president vetoes a bill passed by Congress. Signup and view all the answers

Based on The Federalist 21, which of the following arguments about government would Hamilton likely agree with?

As a practical matter, the laws of the national government ought to have supremacy over state laws. Signup and view all the answers

In the passage, Hamilton is concerned that under the Articles of Confederation, the federal government does not have sufficient constitutional powers to gain compliance from state governments. Which of the following is a way that the Constitution allows the federal government to address this problem?

The federal government can pass laws that allow it to fine or tax individuals directly. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following scenarios illustrates a solution for the problem of getting states to comply with federal government policies, as described in the passage?

The federal government can withhold highway funds from states that do not raise the age to drink alcohol to 21. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best reflects James Madison's beliefs about political representation as expressed in the passage?

People are best represented by a few politicians chosen to voice their issues. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following sections of the United States Constitution most concerns Madison according to the passage?

Article I, Section 2—'The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature.' Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Madison's primary concern about representative government?

Those who seek to represent the people may be tempted to act in their own interests instead. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of how separation of powers creates friction between the executive and legislative branches in the policy-making process?

The president threatens to issue an executive order for stricter gun control if Congress continues to refuse to take action. Signup and view all the answers

In the Constitution as originally ratified in 1788, the provisions regarding which of the following most closely approximate popular, majoritarian democracy?

Election of members of the House of Representatives. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following ideals of democracy is reflected in the procedure for apportionment in the House of Representatives?

Government is based on the consent of the governed. Signup and view all the answers

The framers of the Constitution intended to establish:

A representative republic. Signup and view all the answers

All of the following issues were decided at the Constitutional Convention EXCEPT:

Voting qualifications of the electorate Signup and view all the answers

All of the following are ways that the legislative branch can check the powers of the executive branch EXCEPT:

Congress may pass a law declaring a presidential action unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

The legislative process at the national level reflects the intent of the framers of the Constitution to create a legislature that would:

Be cautious and deliberate. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a trait of a liberal democracy?

Achieving income equality Signup and view all the answers

In 1974, the House of Representatives approved a resolution granting the Judiciary Committee authority to investigate impeachment of President Nixon for obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress. Which constitutional ideal of democracy is demonstrated in this scenario?

Limited government. Signup and view all the answers

The president cannot veto which of the following?

Joint resolutions that propose constitutional amendments. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the social contract theory as advanced by John Locke?

It is an agreement in which the government promises to protect the natural rights of people. Signup and view all the answers

In The Federalist papers, James Madison argues that political liberty is best protected by:

The fragmentation of political power in a large republic. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a model of democracy that emphasizes the role of interest groups in advocating for public policy?

Pluralist democracy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a consequence of the dynamic competition among branches of government described in the passage?

Effective policy change among governmental levels and branches occurs with little long-term abuse of authority. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best explains how the view of the author of the passage compares with The Federalist 51 regarding separation of powers and checks and balances?

Both the author of the passage and The Federalist 51 assert that the structure of government helps control ambitions among the branches in such a way as to promote effective government. Signup and view all the answers

The author explains that the powers given to each branch 'sometimes appear to swing like a pendulum' from one branch to another. Which of the following best describes how these shifts ensure that constitutional government is functional?

Separation of powers divides responsibilities and authority between branches, which allows each branch to be checked by the other two branches to ensure accountability. Signup and view all the answers

In 2015, the United States Supreme Court decided the case Obergefell v. Hodges (2015), which ruled that states must recognize same sex couples' right to marry. Which of the following ideals of democracy would the attorneys for the same sex couple most likely put forth as their argument?

Natural rights of life and liberty include the right to marry whom you choose. Signup and view all the answers

In 2005, the Utah legislature passed a law that allowed school districts to ignore parts of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), a law passed by Congress in 2001 that supported standards-based education reform. Utah did this despite the fact that it endangered losing $76 million in federal aid to Utah public schools. Which of the following statements best explains why Utah took this action?

Educational policy is not mentioned in the Constitution, which has created debate about the proper role for the national government in educational policy. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was a direct outcome of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

The number of representatives in the House of Representatives from slaveholding states increased. Signup and view all the answers

The theory that all interests are and should be free to compete for influence in government, resulting in healthy democratic compromise and balance, is called:

Pluralism. Signup and view all the answers

Members of Congress receive many phone calls, meeting invitations, and e-mails from various competing interest groups asking for support on their preferred public policies. This situation best exemplifies which of the following models of democracy?

Pluralist. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements reflects a pluralist theory of American politics?

Public policies emerge from compromises reached among competing groups. Signup and view all the answers

The Declaration of Independence states 'Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.' This was a revolutionary change from the system of British monarchy, which was based on the divine right of kings. For which of the ideals of democracy does this quote provide a foundation?

Popular sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

Constitutional checks and balances, especially applied to the president, are designed to:

Minimize the threat of tyranny from any one branch of government. Signup and view all the answers

The framers of the Constitution all believed that one of the primary functions of government is:

Protecting individual property rights. Signup and view all the answers

The Articles of Confederation implemented the principle of:

State sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

The procedure for formally amending the United States Constitution best illustrates which of the following?

The federal structure of the United States government. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following procedures results in the removal of the President from office?

The House votes for impeachment, and the Senate conducts a trial and reaches a guilty verdict. Signup and view all the answers

In the 1780s, proponents of the new Constitution cited Shays' Rebellion as an example in support of which of the following criticisms of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

There was a lack of a national military power to address security concerns. Signup and view all the answers

(Adam Smith- Wealth of Nations) Which of the following ideals of United States government is most relevant to this passage?

Limited government. Signup and view all the answers

(Adam Smith- Wealth of Nations) Which of the following best summarizes the perspective of Adam Smith in the passage?

The government should not be used to promote manufacturing. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is true under the system of checks and balances?

The Senate must ratify treaties negotiated by the President before they become law. Signup and view all the answers

The importance of Shays' Rebellion to the development of the United States Constitution was that it:

Indicated that a strong, constitutionally designed national government was needed to protect property and maintain order. Signup and view all the answers

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise drafted at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 is significant for which of the following reasons?

It proposed a Senate with equal representation for each state and a House of Representatives with membership established according to the population of each state. Signup and view all the answers

(Elizabeth Cady Stanton- Seneca Falls Convention) The language in the first paragraph of the selection most closely parallels that of which of the following documents?

The Declaration of Independence. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the influence of social contract theory on the Constitution of the United States?

The framers attempted to legitimize the Constitution through an appeal to popular sovereignty. Signup and view all the answers

(George Washington- Farewell Address) In what respect does the Constitution address Washington's concern regarding the 'spirit of encroachment' expressed in the excerpt?

The Constitution distributes power across national institutions. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Amendment Process

Article V of the Constitution outlines the process for amending the Constitution, reflecting the framers' intent to allow for political change while incorporating checks and balances.
The amendment process is intentionally difficult to protect individual rights.

Political Culture

American political culture strongly supports ideas such as democracy and individual rights, but lacks widespread support for economic equality.

Articles of Confederation

A significant failure of the Articles of Confederation was the national government's lack of power to raise revenue.
Concerns that led to the Constitutional Convention included ineffective governance under the Articles, excluding dissatisfaction over individual rights safeguards.

Legislative Structure

The Constitution replaced the unicameral legislature of the Articles of Confederation with a bicameral legislature, promoting enhanced governance.
The Connecticut Compromise established a dual legislative structure: proportional representation in one house and equal representation in the other.

Checks and Balances

The system of checks and balances is depicted through various mechanisms, such as Senate approval of presidential appointments, judicial review of congressional laws, and impeachment processes.
Separation of powers ensures accountability, requiring cooperation and oversight among branches.

Federalism and Sovereignty

The Constitution emphasizes both national sovereignty and federalism, allowing the federal government to enforce laws directly on individuals, unlike the Articles.

Political Representation

Madison argued that effective representation occurs through elected officials who reflect the people's interests, with concerns that representatives may prioritize their own over constituent priorities.

Dynamics of Democracy

Pluralist democracy emphasizes the role of various interest groups in shaping public policy, contrasting with elite theories, which suggest that a single minority dominates politics.
Constitutional democracy emphasizes limited government and the consent of the governed, foundational to the ideals expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

Constitutional Interpretation and Education

Legislative actions, such as withholding federal funds for educational policies, illustrate ongoing debates about the proper roles of state and federal government.
The framers intended to protect individual property rights as a fundamental function of government.

Historical Context

Events like Shays' Rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles, influencing the transition to a stronger Constitution.
Shays' Rebellion exemplified the need for a national military to maintain order and security, a response to state-level grievances.

The U.S. Constitution draws from social contract theory, legitimizing the government through the notion of popular sovereignty, which suggests that government derives its authority from the consent of the governed.

Constitutional Design and Democracy

The design of the Constitution promotes a representative republic, reflecting a cautious and deliberative legislative process.
Franchise and voting processes initially allowed for state control, directly influencing participation in governance.

Amendments and Judicial Review

The constitutional amendment process involves Congress proposing amendments and requiring ratification by three-fourths of the states, highlighting federal structure.
Judicial review plays a critical role in interpreting constitutional effectiveness and enforcing laws.

Influence of Key Philosophers

The framers’ ideas were influenced by Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke, focusing on the protection of natural rights through government forms that promote checks against tyranny.

Contemporary Judicial Outcomes

Landmark Supreme Court decisions, such as Obergefell v. Hodges, reflect evolving interpretations of rights in light of constitutional guarantees, engaging with core democratic principles.

Future Implications

Ongoing political dynamics showcase how competing interests within a pluralist framework lead to policy development, illustrating the complex nature of representative democracy.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Test your knowledge of the United States Constitution with these AP Classroom flashcards. Each flashcard focuses on key concepts and details, including the amendment process outlined in Article V and the framers' perspectives on governance. Prepare yourself for your AP exam with this interactive study tool.