US Government and Constitution Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which of the following best describes the purpose of the Judicial Branch?

To make laws and policies

To propose new laws and policies

To interpret laws and policies (correct)

To enforce laws and policies

What power does the President have to check the Legislative Branch?

The ability to veto legislation (correct)

The ability to propose amendments to the Constitution

The ability to declare war

The ability to appoint Supreme Court justices

What role does the Electoral College play in the US Presidential election?

It is a group of experts who review the candidates and make a recommendation

It directly elects the President based on popular vote

It is a ceremonial body with no real power in the election process

It votes on behalf of the state based on the popular vote within that state (correct)

What was one issue that led to the creation of the Articles of Confederation?

The need for a stronger central government to address economic problems (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the major concern of smaller states during the Constitutional Convention?

They feared that a powerful national government would not protect their interests. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the system of checks and balances?

To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a method of proposing an amendment to the Constitution?

A two-thirds vote in the Supreme Court (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of the Virginia Plan?

To ensure that representation in the national government was based on population. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is "popular tyranny"?

A government in which the people have too much power and can act arbitrarily. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Federalist Papers?

To outline the principles of the proposed Constitution (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these was NOT a power granted to the national government under the Constitution?

The power to establish a national currency. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main idea of the "Separation of Powers" principle?

The government should be divided into three branches with distinct powers (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the "Amendability" feature of the Constitution?

It ensures that the Constitution remains relevant and adaptable (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

To settle the issue of slavery, including representation and taxation. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following accurately describes the Great Compromise?

It settled the dispute between the states over representation by creating a two-house legislature, one with representation based on population and the other with equal representation for each state. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a faction, as described in the Federalist Papers?

A group of people who share a common interest (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a requirement for serving in the House of Representatives?

Must have a law degree (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary difference between the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan?

The New Jersey Plan favored representation based on population, while the Virginia Plan favored equal representation for each state. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes a unitary system of government?

The central government has all the power (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main difference between dual federalism and cooperative federalism?

Dual federalism involves layered governance, while cooperative federalism promotes large scale cooperation (C) Signup and view all the answers

What are concurrent powers?

Powers that are shared by both national and state governments (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which concept refers to shifting power from the national level to the states?

Devolution (D) Signup and view all the answers

What type of grants require states to follow specific instructions in exchange for funding?

Categorical grants (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment grants powers not given to the national government to the states?

Tenth Amendment (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the ultimate authority in a confederal system?

Local units of government (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which clause in the Constitution allows Congress to create laws deemed necessary and proper?

Necessary and Proper Clause (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Supremacy Clause state?

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land. (A) Signup and view all the answers

How many articles are there in the Constitution?

7 (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Necessary and Proper Clause?

To allow Congress to exercise implied powers not explicitly listed. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes dual federalism?

Federal and state governments operate independently within their own spheres. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the Bill of Rights encompass?

10 amendments that protect individual liberties from government interference. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of concurrent powers?

Both state and federal governments can levy taxes. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the correct sequence of the ratification process of the Constitution?

Ratification by 9 state conventions required to put it into effect. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes cooperative federalism?

A system where governmental powers are mixed at various levels. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does federalism involve?

A division of power between the national government and state governments (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was a key characteristic of the Articles of Confederation?

It maintained the sovereignty of the individual states (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which power was NOT granted to Congress under the Articles of Confederation?

Regulating interstate commerce (D) Signup and view all the answers

What did the term 'insurrection' refer to in the context of the document?

A violent challenge to government authority (C) Signup and view all the answers

How did states behave under the Articles of Confederation?

They could establish their own currencies and tariffs (D) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary intent of the Articles of Confederation regarding the states?

To ensure the states retained their independence (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

The lack of a central governing body to enforce laws (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between states under the Articles of Confederation?

A loose alliance with a firm league of friendship (B) Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason for convening the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

To establish a strong national government to address weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following was NOT a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The central government had a powerful executive branch to enforce laws. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What was Shay's Rebellion a direct response to?

The inability of state governments to address economic hardship and land seizures. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary concern of the Anti-Federalists regarding the proposed Constitution?

They feared the creation of a strong central government that could potentially become tyrannical. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which principle of government was James Madison's Virginia Plan intended to establish?

A representative democracy with proportional representation based on population. (B) Signup and view all the answers

How did the delegates to the Constitutional Convention reflect the ideals of the Enlightenment?

All of the above. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the phrase "national supremacy" in the context of the Constitution?

It means that the federal government has ultimate authority over state governments. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following BEST describes the structure of the government established by the Constitution?

A Federal System, where power is shared between the federal and state governments. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Week 1: The Constitution and Federalism

Federalism is the division of power between the national government and state governments, which are further divided into central and smaller units.
Insurrection is a violent challenge to government authority. The January 6th insurrection is an example.
The Articles of Confederation, America's first constitution, gave states significant power.
There was no central government to oversee economic or political stability.
The Articles of Confederation established a "firm league of friendship" among the 13 states, but states retained considerable power.

The Provisions of the Articles of Confederation

States had the power to do what they wanted, with the central government administering collective business activities.
The Articles of Confederation didn't cover individuals.
Congress held powers to establish and direct armed forces, make decisions about war and peace, coin money, and enter into treaties.
States had the power to print their own currencies, set their own tariffs, and create their own laws regarding finances and politics.

Some Winners, Some Losers

The "Critical Period" saw poor business practices, domestic political issues, poor economic conditions, and high taxes in states.
"Popular tyranny" refers to the unrestrained power of the people, exemplified by Shay's Rebellion.
Delegates at the Constitutional Convention agreed on a federalist framework.
The Virginia Plan established a two-house legislature with representation based on population, benefiting larger states.

Compromises

New Jersey Plan emphasized representation for smaller states with an equal vote.
The Great Compromise created a bicameral legislature, with population-based representation in the House of Representatives and equal representation for each state in the Senate.

North and South

The Three-Fifths Compromise determined that enslaved people would be counted as three-fifths of a person for representation purposes.

The Legislative Branch

This branch has the power to make laws.
The branch consists of the House of Representatives, and the Senate.
The House of Representatives representatives represent the people; have a two-year term, and must be at least 25 years old.
The Senate has two representatives per state; serve six year terms, and must be 35 years of age or older.

The Executive Branch

This branch "executes" (implements) the laws.
The branch consists of the president, who can veto legislation, in addition to creating laws and policies.
The President serves a four-year term and is elected by the Electoral College.
The President is commander-in-chief and can be impeached.

The Judicial Branch

This branch interprets the law and determines if laws have been broken.
The Supreme Court can rule that acts of Congress or executive actions are unconstitutional (Judicial Review.)

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances

Branches of government are not run by the same person or group.
The branches can police one another, to prevent any branch from having too much power.
This system is known as Checks and Balances.

Amendability

The constitution can be amended, allowing it to adapt over time.
It has been amended 27 times to date.
Proposals for amendments need a two-thirds vote in both houses.
An alternative approach calls for a national convention convened by Congress or approval by legislatures of 3/4 of the states.

Ratification

Ratification of the Constitution occurred when nine states agreed to it at conventions.
The Federalist Papers were a series of 88 essays written in support of the Constitution.
Factions are groups of people unified by a common interest.

Chapter 2 Takeaway

Federalists wanted a strong central government, determined by population (Virginia Plan).
Anti-federalists supported the New Jersey Plan, giving each state equal representation.
The solution was a bicameral legislature.

Constitution Part 1

The Continental Congress governed before the Constitution.
The Articles of Confederation established the first independent government in America.
State governments were dominant, as a 9/13 states' consent was needed for many actions.
The national government lacked the power to raise funds, which resulted in issues like trade wars, inflation, and state money printing.
Shay's Rebellion occurred in 1786 when farmers took control of courthouses to prevent states from taking their land.

The Constitutional Convention

The 1787 Philadelphia delegates were educated individuals from the Enlightenment era.
The weakness of the government, and a fear of tyranny, motivated the call for a stronger, new government system.
James Madison designed a new plan for government, known as the Virginia Plan.
Represented democracy, election of individuals to the government.
National Supremacy will always overrule State ideas or decisions.
Three Branches (Separation of Powers)
Limited Gov. (Checks and Balances).

Areas of Conflict

Virginia Plan favored large states with representation based on population.
New Jersey Plan favored smaller states with equal votes/representation.
The Great Compromise established a bicameral legislature: the House of Representatives, based on population, and the Senate, with two senators per state.
The Three-Fifths Compromise resolved the debate over representation of enslaved people within the political system.
The executive branch, the President, will be selected by the Electoral College, with electoral votes equal to representatives each state has in Washington, D.C.

Ratification Process

Opposition among small farmers influenced the ratification process.
The Federalist Papers played a role.
The Federalist Papers #10 described factions, while #51 outlined the concepts of a republic and a representative democracy in addition to checks and balances, designed to prevent tyranny.
Anti-federalist papers existed that outlined opposition to the Constitution.
June 21, 1788, the Constitution went into effect.

Text of the Constitution

The Constitution establishes the legislative branch of the government, outlining its powers.

The Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights limits the government through 10 amendments, with a grounding in logical thought.
The Constitution has now been amended 27 times.

Chapter 3: Federalism

Federalism divides authority between different levels of governments.
Enumerated powers of Congress are examples of the strongest statements of national power.
The Necessary and Proper Clause gives Congress powers not explicitly listed in the Constitution.
The Supremacy Clause asserts the Constitution as the supreme law of the land.
Concurrent powers are shared by both levels of government.
Dual federalism likens the system of government to layers of a cake.

Cooperative Federalism

In cooperative federalism, the interactions between different levels of government is similar to a swirled ice cream.
Unitary Systems concentrate power within a central government.
In a confederal system, power is held at local levels.
Devolution shifts power to states at a national level.
Categorical grants provide states with money to follow instructions from the national government in exchange.

Federalism Videos

Three systems of government exist (federal, unitary, confederal.)
In a federal system, power is divided between national and state governments.
In a unitary system, the national government is supreme, granting powers to sub-governments.
In a confederal system, states have ultimate authority.
Dual federalism likens the system to layers of a cake. Article 1, Section 8, outlines congressional powers.
The Necessary and Proper Clause justifies congressional powers not specifically listed in the Constitution.

10th Amendment (Goals)

The 10th Amendment designates powers to states that aren't explicitly granted to the national government, creating equal status with the national government.
Cooperative federalism is characterized by extensive cooperation between national and state governments.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Maryland imposed taxes on the U.S. bank, to which McCulloch refused to pay.
John Marshall ruled the tax unconstitutional.
Congress holds the power to establish a national bank via the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

The commerce clause was the subject of a Supreme Court case, concerning the extent of the federal government's power.

Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)

This Supreme Court case concluded that the federal government didn't hold the power to regulate slavery in the US.

New Federalism

New federalism was proposed by Ronald Reagan, a key component of which was the devolution of federal government powers to state governments.

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Description

Test your knowledge on the structure and principles of the United States government with this quiz. Covering topics such as the Judicial Branch, checks and balances, and the creation of the Constitution, this quiz challenges your understanding of key concepts and historical events. Prepare to explore the intricacies of the US political system!