U.S. Government Principles Quiz

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

On which of the following enlightenment ideas does the Declaration of Independence rely for its argument about the limitations of government?

natural rights (correct)

separation of powers

equality for all

man's fallibility

"It is equally evident, that the members of each department should be as little dependent as possible on those of the others... Were the executive magistrate, or the judges, not independent of the legislature in this particular, their independence in every other would be merely nominal. But the great security against a gradual concentration of the several powers in the same department, consists in giving to those who administer each department the necessary constitutional means and personal motives to resist encroachments of the others.... It may be a reflection on human nature, that such devices should be necessary to control the abuses of government. But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature?... In framing a government which is to be administered by men over men, the great difficulty lies in this: you must first enable the government to control the governed; and in the next place oblige it to control itself."

majority rule

consent of the governed

rule of law

separation of powers (correct)

"The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts, and Excises, to pay the Debts and provide for the common Defence and general welfare of the United States;... To regulate Commerce with foreign nations.... To coin money... To declare war... And To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States..."

The Constitution allowed the states to control the national government's ability to tax

The Constitution left the power to coin money to the states

The Constitution gave Congress powers that it could never have enforced under the Articles (correct)

The Constitution stripped the states of all monetary power after Shays's Rebellion

The voting rights amendment that led to the end of the disenfranchisement of poor voters was the

24th Signup and view all the answers

Executive agreements have been cited as evidence that

modern presidents often try to avoid legislative checks and balances on their authority 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

The clause in the United States Constitution that states that federal law will prevail in the event of a conflict between federal and state law is known as the

supremacy clause Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following situations best illustrates the meaning of divided government in the United States political system?

The majority of senators and the majority of representatives are from one party, but the president is from another. Signup and view all the answers

In McCulloch v. Maryland, the Supreme Court established which of the following principles?

the use of Necessary & Proper must be tied directly to an expressed power Signup and view all the answers

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

increase the responsiveness of the government to the will of the people Signup and view all the answers

"The Congress shall have power...to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof."

Federalism Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following did the Supreme Court establish in Marbury v Madison?

The Supreme Court can declare federal legislation invalid if the legislation violates the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of constitutional provisions

B Signup and view all the answers

The idea that the Constitution is a changing and evolving document that should be interpreted in light of the needs of the time is known as

the modernist approach Signup and view all the answers

I go further, and affirm that bills of rights, in the sense and in the extent in which they are contended for, are not only unnecessary in the proposed constitution, but would even be dangerous. They would contain various exceptions to powers which are not granted; and on this very account, would afford a colourable pretext to claim more than were granted. For why declare that things shall not be done which there is no power to do? Why for instance, should it be said, that the liberty of the press shall not be restrained, when no power is given by which restrictions may be imposed? I will not contend that such a provision would confer a regulating power; but it is evident that it would furnish, to men disposed to usurp, a plausible pretence for claiming that power.

Listing rights will lead some to assume that government may regulate those rights Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following constitutional provisions limits the power of the national government in Hamilton's argument?

Enumerated powers in Article II Signup and view all the answers

Supporters of a narrow interpretation of the Constitution could present which of the following cases to support their argument against a more powerful national government?

McCulloch v Maryland (1819) Signup and view all the answers

The original understanding of the system of checks and balances system has been modified by

the direct election of senators Signup and view all the answers

The allocation of certain powers to the national government and other powers to states is called

federalism Signup and view all the answers

______ is the power to keep executive communications confidential, especially if they relate to national security.

Executive privilege Signup and view all the answers

When considering the original Constitution & citizens' rights, what most effectively remedied a significant shortcoming?

the various voting amendments Signup and view all the answers

The originalist approach to constitutional interpretation

argues that the Constitution should be understood according to the framers' intent Signup and view all the answers

Of the following, which change in the Constitution served to remedy the less than fully democratic nature of representation in the Congress?

the 17th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following developments has resulted in a significant change in how our system of checks & balances functions in direct relation to voter impact & decision making?

political parties Signup and view all the answers

In our system, what characteristic would Madison most approve of in our efforts to prevent factions from having an inordinate amount of influence?

a strong representative system Signup and view all the answers

Which statement best describes the impact political parties have had on the system of checks & balances?

divided government has led to increased stalemates between the Executive & Legislative branches Signup and view all the answers

"We are unanimously of opinion, that the law passed by the legislature of Maryland, imposing a tax on the Bank of the United States, is unconstitutional and void.... This is a tax on the operation of an instrument employed by the government of the Union to carry its powers to execution. Such a tax must be unconstitutional..."

Congress has the power to make laws to carry out its Constitutional duties Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following resulted from this Supreme Court decision?

the power of the national government was strengthened Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Question 1

The Declaration of Independence relies on the concepts of separation of powers, man's fallibility, equality for all, and natural rights to argue for limitations on government.

Question 2

The members of each branch of government (executive and judicial) should not be dependent on the legislature to maintain independence.
A system of checks and balances, with each branch having the means and motivation to oppose encroachment from the others, prevents a concentration of power.
The system should reflect a consideration of human nature. The document describes the "great difficulty" in governing people by people.
Difficulty lies in constructing a government that governs itself appropriately.

Question 3

James Madison, in Federalist No. 51 (1788), defended the principle of separation of powers.

Question 4

The Constitution granted Congress powers that could not have been enforced under the Articles of Confederation, centralizing the economy and authority.

Question 5

Executive agreements are used as a justification for the belief that interest groups gain too much influence in the governmental system.
Presidents have more influence when handling domestic policy than foreign policy.
Modern presidents often circumvent legislative checks and balances.
The executive branch is perceived as having become too large and bureaucratic.

Question 6

A proposed constitutional amendment requires ratification by three-fourths of the states to be adopted.

Question 7

The supremacy clause ensures federal law supersedes state law in conflicts.

Question 8

A situation where the majority of the Supreme Court justices, are from one party, but the president is from another, illustrates divided government.
This is because different branches/parties are controlling different governmental bodies.

Question 9

The Supreme Court established the principle of implied powers in McCulloch v. Maryland.

Question 10

The original Constitution included provisions to decrease the influence ordinary citizens had on the government.

Question 11

The Necessary and Proper Clause, through Supreme Court interpretations, has shaped the debate over the nature of federalism.

Question 12

The Necessary and Proper Clause has had an effect of giving the president power in foreign policy and allowing the legislature to become a powerful branch of government.
The clause allows for the national government to exceed its enumerated powers.

Question 13

The Supreme Court in Marbury v. Madison established the principle of judicial review.

Question 14

Necessary and Proper Clause and Commerce Clause enhance Federal Power, while the Tenth Amendment enhances State Power

Question 15

The idea that the Constitution must be interpreted in conjunction with the needs of the times is termed the "modernist approach."

Question 16

Bills of rights are unnecessary for the proposed constitution and would even be dangerous, according to Hamilton.

Question 17

Hamilton argues that a bill of rights, like listing specific rights, will lead people to assume government can regulate those rights.

Question 18

Supporters of a narrow interpretation of the Constitution could support their argument against a more powerful national government with McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Question 19

The original understanding of the system of checks and balances has been modified by the direct election of senators.

Question 20

The division of powers between national and state governments is known as federalism.

Question 21

Executive privilege is the power of the executive branch to keep communications confidential, notably in national security matters.

Question 22

The document does not indicate what most effectively remedied a significant shortcoming in the original Constitution and citizens' rights.

Question 23

The originalist approach to constitutional interpretation argues that the Constitution should be understood in accordance with the framers' intent.

Question 24

(No useful information provided.)

Question 25

Political parties have led to more instances of divided government, and this has impacted the function of checks and balances.

Question 26

Madison would likely favor a strong representative system to prevent factions from gaining excessive influence.

Question 27

Political parties have led to more instances of divided government, leading to increased stalemates between the executive and legislative branches.

Question 28

The Supreme Court decision in McCulloch v. Maryland affirmed the principle of implied powers (Congress has powers to carry out Constitutional duties).

Question 29

McCulloch v. Maryland strengthened the power of the national government.

Studying That Suits You

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

Description

Test your knowledge on the foundational principles of the U.S. government, including separation of powers, checks and balances, and the influence of Federalist No. 51. This quiz explores the concepts outlined in the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Dive deep into the philosophy that underpins American governance.