4. How Is the Principle of FEDERALISM Reflected in the U.S. Constitution?

EOC PREP QUIZ 4

"If men were angels, no government would be necessary. If angels were to govern men, neither external nor internal controls on government would be necessary. 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." James Madison, Federalist Paper 51

Which concept is James Madison discussing?

A. individual rights B. strict interpretation C. federalism D. checks and balances

". . . different opinions concerning religion, concerning government, and many other points . . . have, in turn, divided mankind into parties . . . and rendered them much more disposed to [anger] and oppress each other than to co-operate for their common good." James Madison, Federalist Paper 10

What is James Madison describing?

A. state representatives B. state governments C. political factions D. the British Parliament

3. Thomas Jefferson based concepts in the Declaration of Independence on philosophies from the Enlightenment. The ideas of the unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are based on which of these political principles?

A. divine rights B. civil rights C. natural rights D. legal rights 4. How is the principle of FEDERALISM reflected in the U.S. Constitution?

A. The Constitution sets minimum age requirements for serving as a representative in Congress. B. The Constitution includes a "necessary and proper" clause, which allows for a broad reading of the powers of Congress. C. The Constitution includes provisions regarding the amendment process, acknowledging that there would be changes. D. The Constitution acknowledges state governments, which must share power with the federal government.

5. When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty; because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws, to execute them in a tyrannical manner.

excerpt from The Spirit of the Laws by Charles de Montesquieu

Montesquieu's statement aligns with which democratic principle of government?

A. a multiple political party system B. national and local political levels C. a government run by its people D. multiple branches of government

6.  Government is legitimate only if the people consent to its authority.  If consent is not given to government by the people, the people have the right to rebel.  Government must protect natural rights (rights all people are born with).

The ideas above are attributed to which of these people?

A. Niccolò Machiavelli B. Benjamin Franklin C. Jean Jacques Rousseau D. John Locke

7. John Locke's Second Treatise of Government

I answer, such revolutions happen not upon every little mismanagement in public affairs . . . But if a long train of abuses . . . all tending the same way, make the design visible to the people, and they cannot but feel what they lie under, and see where they are going; it is not to be wondered, that they should then rouse themselves, and endeavor to put the rule into such hands which may secure to them the ends for which government was at first erected . . . .

How does the Declaration of Independence compare or contrast with Locke's statements above?

A. It argues that the revolution was caused by the many abuses of King George III. B. It argues that English monarchy has never been a benefit for the colonists. C. It argues that the American situation is different than what Locke describes. D. It argues that people have the right to overthrow their government for any reason.

8. Which statement BEST describes a weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

A. There were too many checks and balances. B. The powers of Congress were weak. C. The President had too much power. D. The laws on taxing were too strong.

9. Montesquieu's Spirit of the Laws influenced which core democratic value in the United States Constitution?

A. the rights of the majority to revolt against tyrannical government B. the separation of powers between branches of government C. the right of any state to secede from the union if necessary D. the separation of religion from the operations of government

10. How did Enlightenment philosophies impact the American Revolution?

A. The revolutionists were inspired to take action against England. B. Enlightened philosophies gave colonists a sense of self-awareness. C. Colonists began to believe in their ability to win the revolution. D. It motivated the colonists to unite and stand up for their rights. 11. The most important role of the Electoral College is to ______. A. Nominate candidates to local offices and Congress B. Vote for President and Vice President C. Settle national elections in case of a tie D. Educate voters prior to elections

12. Which of these received increased authority under the reserved powers clause of the Constitution? A. States B. Congress C. Businesses D. Supreme Court

13. Which of the following people is NOT a member of the executive branch? A. FBI B. Speaker of the House C. Secretary of Education D. Ambassador to the United Nations

14. Which statement BEST describes why the Americans created a loose confederation of states in the Articles of Confederation? A. They did not want a central authority like the British system B. They wanted the states to have a choice about the signing the Articles C. They did not want Congress to have the power to declare war D. They wanted a central authority to rule over all the joined states

15. Why was the Magna Carta, signed in 1215, historically significant to the development of democratic governments?

A. The document established a new Parliamentary body to balance some of the King's powers in Great Britain. B. The document established the principle that no person is above the law and that the government must follow its own laws in its dealings with its citizens. C. The document was the first example of a group of citizens creating and agreeing to obey a representative form of government. D. The document was the first example of an English colony declaring its independence from the King.

16. Which of the following best describes the influence John Locke's Second Treatise had on the U.S. Constitution?

A. Locke demanded that the new government formed in the U.S. should be a democracy. B. Locke believed that government as a whole was a just institution and should be respected. C. Locke stated that people as a whole have the right to overthrow a government. D. Locke believed that political society was created to protect individual rights.

17. Which statement BEST describes a weakness of the Articles of Confederation? A. There were too many checks and balances. B. The powers of Congress were weak. C. The President had too much power. D. The laws on taxing were too strong.

18. "Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States; If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated, who shall enter the Objections at large on their Journal, and proceed to reconsider it. If after such Reconsideration two thirds of that House shall agree to pass the Bill, it shall be sent, together with the Objections, to the other House, by which it shall likewise be reconsidered, and if approved by two thirds of that House, it shall become a Law."

The passage above from Article 1, Section 7 of the U.S. Constitution reflects the principle of

A. federalism. B. republicanism C. checks and balances. D. individual rights.

19. Which of the following is a check the executive branch can impose on the legislative branch?

A. The attorney general can call Congress into a special session. B. The president can remove a Congressperson from office. C. The vice president can cast tie-breaking votes in the Senate. D. The secretary of state can veto acts approved by Congress.

20. Which of the following is an example of a legislative check over the judicial branch?

A. Senators can pardon those convicted in federal court. B. Representatives can overrule federal court rulings. C. Congress can impeach and remove federal judges. D. Congress can appoint the judges of the Supreme Court.

21. Thomas Jefferson based concepts in the Declaration of Independence on philosophies from the Enlightenment. The ideas of the unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are based on which of these political principles?

A. divine rights B. civil rights C. natural rights D. legal rights

22. The expansion of suffrage in the United States best illustrates society’s changing views of ______. A. Civil Rights B. Limited Government C. Popular Sovereignty D. Due Process of Law

23. Which part of the Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise) benefits states with larger populations? A. Each state has two representatives in the Senate B. The Senate ratifies all treaties with foreign nations C. All bills for spending money must originate in the House of Representatives D. A state’s population determines how many members it has in the House of Representatives

24. Enlightenment era political philosophers such as Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau and Montesquieu ______. A. rejected governmental policies that allowed the expansion of property rights B. adhered to traditional social customs in the creation of governmental offices C. emphasized governmental structures based on reason and social progress D. pursued strict obedience to religious scripture in governmental affairs

25. Which of these circumstances illustrates a danger of majority rule? A. A law is ruled unconstitutional by a judge B. A law is used to oppress a group of people C. A petition is signed by many people D. A prisoner is wrongly let out of prison

26. The most important role of the Electoral College is to ______. E. Nominate candidates to local offices and Congress F. Vote for President and Vice President G. Settle national elections in case of a tie H. Educate voters prior to elections 27. Which activity of an interest group for teachers would have the most significant political impact? A. Providing legal advice for members who feel their rights have been violated B. Ensuring that continuing education is provided for experienced educators C. Providing instructors with lesson plans that align with curriculum D. Lobbying elected officials to enact new education laws

28. “No freeman shall be taken, or imprisoned,…or in any way harmed…save by the lawful judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land…To none will we sell, to none deny or delay, right or justice.” Magna Carta 1215

According to the statement above, which constitutional guarantee is most related to the Magna Carta? A. Rights to bear arms B. Rights of the Accused C. Rights of Former Slaves D. Rights of the Convicted

29. In order for a bill to become a law, what happens after both houses of Congress pass it? A. President signs it B. Supreme Court reviews it C. President vetoes it D. Supreme Court interprets it

30. 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.” Federalist No. 51

Which constitutional principle is described in the quotation? A. Federalism B. Due Process of Law C. Judicial Review D. Separation of Powers

31. What happens when a state law conflicts with a federal law? A. Federal government can penalize a state B. Federal government must change its law C. State government can enforce its own law D. The state must yield to the federal government

32. “The most powerful, and perhaps the only, means of interesting men in the welfare of their country which we still possess is to make them partakers in the government.” This quote by Alexis de Tocqueville is best reflected by which of the following: A. Becoming involved in society will make businesses prosper B. Taking an active role in society will help promote contributions to a nation C. Encouraging people to become involved in communities will improve schools D. Participating in the creation of legislation is particularly important for young citizens

33. Which of the following types of governments is the United States? A. Republic B. Totalitarian C. Monarchy D. Oligarchy

34. Which example best demonstrates a change in government involvement in the economy? A. Involvement in the United Nations B. Creation of the Social Security Administration C. Deployment of military troops to Iraq D. Implementation of the Voting Rights Act

35. The Articles of Confederation represented the ______. A. Rejection of the weaknesses of the Bill of Rights B. First attempt at self-government in the United States C. Acceptance of British rule in the colonies D. Early effort to improve United States ties to other nations

36. 6. Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution reserves power to the states? A. 1st Amendment B. 8th Amendment C. 10th Amendment D. 6th Amendment

37. The right to protect yourself against cruel and unusual punishment relates to which of the following amendments? A. the Fifth Amendment B. the Eighth Amendment C. the Second Amendment D. the First Amendment

38. The Fourteenth Amendment gave more power to which of the following: A. States B. Constitution C. Supreme Court D. Congress

39. Consider the following scenario. You are on trial for assault. During your trial, witnesses testify that you were nowhere near the scene of the crime on the night the assault occurred. The jury hears this, finds you not guilty, and acquits you of the crime. A month later, the prosecutor finds new evidence that she believes links you to the crime. Even though you have been found not guilty, what right can you invoke to protect you from being tried for the same crime again? A. the Third Amendment B. the Fifth Amendment C. the First Amendment D. the Second Amendment

40. Consider the following scenario. The police believe you have stolen items and hidden them in your house. They decide to raid your house to see if any of the stolen items are there. What right could you invoke to protect yourself from this raid? A. the Fifth Amendment B. the Fourth Amendment C. the First Amendment D. the Ninth Amendment

41. According to the Bill of Rights, what gives you the right to a fast and public trial by an unbiased jury? A. the Second Amendment B. the Sixth Amendment C. the Third Amendment D. the First Amendment

 Freedom of religion  Freedom of speech  Freedom of the press  Right to peaceable assembly  Right to petition the government

Which amendment to the United States Constitution contains all of the above rights? A. Tenth Amendment B. First Amendment C. Fourteenth Amendment D. Fifth Amendment

43. Which of the following describes a political action committee (PAC)? A. a charitable organization that helps underprivileged political candidates finance their campaigns B. an organization with a specific political motive engaged in raising and spending money to elect and defeat candidates C. a committee within the U.S. Congress responsible for enacting laws passed by the Congress D. a committee of politicians responsible for making sure the election process is free from corruption

44. What term describes a candidate that focuses on creating new social patterns or values with direct government action? A. conservative B. reactionary C. liberal D. radical

45. What is the responsibility of a political party? A. register people to vote B. elect candidates for office C. nominate candidates for office D. ensure the integrity of the voting process

46. Which of the following describes a political lobby? A. a group that formulates political and policy agendas, selects candidates, and conducts election campaigns B. a committee of educators responsible for making recommendations to improve the political system C. the waiting area outside the voting chamber at the U.S. Capitol D. a group engaged in trying to influence legislators or other public officials in favor of a specific cause 47. Which term best describes a person who takes a position in the political center? A. liberal B. conservative C. radical D. moderate

48. Which of these is the main function of the legislative branch? A. to make laws B. to enforce laws C. to define laws D. to interpret laws

49. Which of the following issues is exclusively the responsibility of federal law? A. Drivers’ Licenses B. Gun Control C. Teaching Certifications D. Counterfeit Money

50. Which feature of ancient Rome made it a republic? A. Absence of a king or emperor B. Rule elected by representatives C. Right to speak in civic gatherings D. Equality for all male adult citizens