Questions and Answers
What is the best definition of provincialism?
a narrow view of the world.
What event occurred at Spindletop, Texas?
oil was discovered.
A belief that government is designed to promote the public good describes the ______ political culture.
moralistic
What did NAFTA establish?
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______ is the system, common in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, by which farmers would be lent land and equipment in exchange for part of the profits.
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What does political culture refer to?
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What did the Supreme Court case Smith v. Allwright end in 1944?
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How is technological change evidenced in Texas?
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What best characterizes a traditionalistic individualistic political culture?
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The origins of cities in Texas are found in Native American civilizations.
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What was Stephen F. Austin's role in the development of Texas?
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Who led the Grange and Populist movements of the late nineteenth century?
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Historically, the economy of Fort Worth has been associated with which industry?
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Which political groups have traditionally had the least influence on Texas politics?
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Who performs the regulation of oil and energy in Texas?
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What does the term creative destruction refer to?
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What contributed most to the increase in the population of Texas?
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Dallas developed in the late nineteenth century as a result of?
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The economy of San Antonio rests on the high-tech industry.
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______ was the chief economic product of Texas during the early twentieth century.
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Houston is found in which Texas region?
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Which city is located in the Great Plains region of Texas?
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The antigrazing position of farm unions contributed to the spread of cattle ranching in the nineteenth century.
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The strong role of labor unions reflects one of the historic characteristics that make up Texas political culture.
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What approximate percentage of the current population of Texas is Hispanic?
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By ______, all major statewide elected offices in Texas were controlled by Republicans.
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Big Bend is found in which region of Texas?
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Which two Texas metropolitan areas are national centers for the high-tech industry?
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What is the best description of Texas political culture?
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Which political interests have traditionally dominated the political culture of Texas?
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The 1827 Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas established a bicameral legislature.
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The dominion of Texas politics by Republicans after the Civil War ended in?
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Texas had to return parts of Oklahoma seized by Texas Confederate soldiers during the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1865.
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What principle of government is key to understanding the drafting of the Texas Constitution of 1876?
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Texas could maintain its own army and navy for twenty-five years as part of the annexation agreement with the United States.
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State constitutions are subordinate to the U.S. Constitution.
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Who dominated the Texas Constitutional Convention of 1861?
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What is the characteristic of the Texas constitution?
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Both constitutions have a clause providing the legislature with the authority to make all laws necessary and proper to carrying out its expressed powers.
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The separation of government into three branches is called?
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Negative advertising in the media has had the effect of alienating possible voters, contributing to the low level of voter turnout for constitutional amendments.
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What is the major difference between the Bill of Rights in the Texas constitution and the U.S. Bill of Rights?
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What was the main problem that stalled the admission of Texas into the United States?
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In what year was Texas's current constitution ratified?
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What does the Texas constitution require for amendment?
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What is the best definition of a confederation?
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What was the structure of Congress under the 1836 Republic of Texas Constitution?
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What does the supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution state?
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Giving independence to the judiciary by making all judges appointed instead of elected was a goal for those writing the Texas constitution.
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The majority of delegates to the Convention of 1836 that drafted the constitution for a newly independent Republic of Texas were from?
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The Texas bill of rights includes the right to employment.
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The Texas Constitution of 1869 was created by?
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What is the system of distributing powers between states and a central government called?
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What was the main criticism of the current Texas constitution behind the Ratliff-Junell proposal for a new constitution?
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What describes a significant difference between the structure of the Texas executive department and the structure of the U.S. executive branch?
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Study Notes
Political Concepts and Definitions
- Provincialism refers to a narrow worldview, limiting broader perspectives.
- The moralistic political culture emphasizes government’s role in promoting public good.
- Political culture encompasses the collective values and beliefs regarding government within a society.
Historical and Economic Events
- Spindletop marked the discovery of oil, significantly impacting Texas' economy.
- Sharecropping was prevalent in the late 19th to early 20th centuries, involving land and equipment lending to farmers in exchange for profit shares.
- The economy of Fort Worth historically revolves around the cattle industry, highlighting Texas' agricultural roots.
Political Changes and Movements
- Smith v. Allwright (1944) abolished white primaries, ensuring broader electoral participation.
- The Grange and Populist movements led by tenant farmers aimed to improve farmers’ conditions in the late 19th century.
Population and Urban Development
- Texas' population growth stems largely from natural increases, with births outpacing deaths.
- The development of cities in Texas is not primarily rooted in Native American civilizations, contrary to some misconceptions.
- Dallas emerged as a major urban center due to the convergence of two railroad lines.
Constitutional Knowledge
- The Texas Constitution, ratified in 1876, is characterized by its complexity and detail, reflecting a general distrust of political power.
- Legislative authority in Texas is constrained, with strict requirements for amending the constitution including a two-thirds legislative vote and majority public approval.
- The structure of the Texas executive branch differs from the U.S. federal system, featuring multiple independently elected officials.
Political Culture and Representation
- Texas political culture is influenced significantly by business interests and features a mix of political influences.
- Labor unions historically exert minimal influence on Texas politics.
- Hispanic individuals represent approximately 35% of Texas' population, reflecting the state's demographic diversity.
Legislative and Judicial Processes
- The House of Representatives holds impeachment power in the Texas political system, while the Senate conducts trials.
- Separation of powers divides government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches, ensuring a system of checks and balances.
Societal Issues and Criticisms
- The existing Texas constitution has faced criticism for being overly restrictive and cumbersome for contemporary governance, prompting discussions for reform.
- Notably, Texas did not obtain the ability to maintain its own army during its annexation with the U.S. – a significant factor in statehood negotiations.
Key Historical Figures and Events
- Stephen F. Austin promoted American settlement in Texas while collaborating with Spanish authorities.
- The political landscape shifted in 2002, with Republicans gaining control over statewide elected offices.
Important Legal Agreements and Principles
- NAFTA represents an essential trade agreement facilitating free trade among Mexico, the U.S., and Canada.
- Federalism describes the distribution of authority between national and state governments, foundational to U.S. governance.
Significant Court Decisions and Constitutional Characteristics
- The 1827 Constitution of Coahuila y Tejas did not feature a bicameral legislature, reflecting early governance models in Texas.
- The supremacy clause establishes that national laws take precedence over state laws, reinforcing the centrality of federal governance.
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Description
Prepare for your GOVT 2306 Exam 1 with this comprehensive review quiz. Test your knowledge on key concepts such as provincialism and significant historical events like the Spindletop oil discovery. Enhance your understanding of political cultures and trade agreements relevant to Texas.
