Chapter 2 (The Constitutional Framework) P.33-61 - For Test 1

Explanation
The statement is false because in 1998, the Supreme Court did not uphold the principle of affirmative action.

Explanation
Thomas Paine wrote Common Sense. Common Sense is a pamphlet published in 1776 that argued for American independence from Britain. Paine's persuasive and straightforward writing style made the pamphlet widely popular and influential in rallying support for the American Revolution. His work played a significant role in shaping public opinion and encouraging the colonists to break away from British rule.

Explanation
"Common Sense" was a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine in 1776, which argued for American independence from British rule. In the pamphlet, Paine strongly criticized and attacked King George III, the British monarch at the time. He argued that George III was a tyrant and that the American colonies should break away from British rule. Therefore, the correct answer is George III.

Explanation
Richard Henry Lee introduced a resolution declaring that the colonies "are, and of right ought to be, free and independent States." This resolution, known as the Lee Resolution, was presented to the Second Continental Congress on June 7, 1776. It called for the colonies to break away from British rule and form independent states. The resolution was a significant step towards the eventual Declaration of Independence, which was adopted on July 4, 1776.

Explanation
The correct answer is July 4th. On this date in 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence, which declared the United States' independence from Great Britain. This historic document outlined the reasons for the separation and asserted the rights of the American colonies. July 4th is now celebrated annually as Independence Day in the United States, commemorating this significant event in American history.

Explanation
The explanation for the correct answer, which is True, is that Thomas Jefferson did indeed include an attack on slavery in his original draft of the Declaration of Independence. However, this section was removed due to opposition from some delegates who were concerned about the economic implications of abolishing slavery. Despite its removal, Jefferson's initial draft reflected his personal beliefs and his recognition of the contradiction between the ideals of liberty and the existence of slavery.

Explanation
Natural rights is the belief that all people possess certain basic rights that may not be abridged by government. These rights are inherent to every individual by virtue of their humanity and include rights such as life, liberty, and property. The concept of natural rights is often associated with philosophers like John Locke, who argued that these rights are not granted by the government but are instead inherent and inalienable. Governments are tasked with protecting these rights rather than infringing upon them. The Bill of Rights, on the other hand, refers specifically to the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which outline specific rights and protections for individuals. Eminent domain refers to the government's power to take private property for public use, while judicial review is the power of courts to review and potentially invalidate actions of the executive and legislative branches of government.

Explanation
The group of English Puritans who had separated from the Church of England were known as the Pilgrims. The Pilgrims were a group of religious dissenters who sought religious freedom and established the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts in 1620. They were seeking a place where they could practice their beliefs freely and separate themselves from the Church of England's influence. The Pilgrims played a significant role in the early colonization of America and the establishment of religious tolerance in the New World.

Explanation
The correct answer is 1776 because this was the year when the Declaration of Independence was written. It is a significant document in American history that declared the thirteen American colonies as independent states from British rule. The Declaration of Independence was adopted by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and it laid the foundation for the formation of the United States of America.

Explanation
The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution in 1791. This was done to address the concerns of the Anti-Federalists who feared that the Constitution did not provide enough protection for individual rights. The Bill of Rights consists of the first ten amendments to the Constitution and guarantees various fundamental rights and freedoms, such as freedom of speech, religion, and the right to a fair trial.

Explanation
King John issued the Magna Carta in 1215. The Magna Carta was a charter that established certain rights and liberties for the English people, limiting the power of the monarchy. It was a significant document in the development of constitutional law and has had a lasting impact on the legal systems of many countries. King John was forced to sign the Magna Carta by a group of rebellious barons who were unhappy with his rule, making it a key moment in the struggle for political and individual freedoms in England.

Explanation
In 1620, the Puritans landed at Plymouth. This marked the beginning of the Plymouth Colony in present-day Massachusetts. The Puritans, seeking religious freedom, established a settlement and formed a government based on the Mayflower Compact. This event is significant in American history as it represents one of the earliest European settlements in the New World and the Pilgrims' perseverance in the face of hardships.

Explanation
The statement is true because before the Constitution was framed, the United States operated under the Articles of Confederation, which established a weak central government. The Articles of Confederation gave most of the power to the individual states, resulting in a lack of unity and effectiveness in governing the country. This led to the need for a stronger central government, which was addressed in the creation of the Constitution.

Explanation
27 times not 55

Explanation
The Constitution and The Bill of Rights provide the basic framework of American government. The Constitution outlines the structure and powers of the government, while The Bill of Rights guarantees individual rights and freedoms. Together, these two documents establish the principles and system of governance in the United States.

Explanation
Federalism is the correct answer because it refers to the system of government in which power is divided between a central authority (national government) and regional or state governments. In this system, both levels of government have their own distinct powers and responsibilities, and they share certain powers and functions. This division of powers allows for a balance of power and promotes cooperation between the national government and the states.

Explanation
The correct answer is Connecticut Compromise. The Connecticut Compromise, also known as the Great Compromise, was a compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It proposed a bicameral legislature, with representation in the lower house based on population (Virginia Plan) and equal representation in the upper house (New Jersey Plan). This compromise resolved the dispute between large and small states over representation and was a crucial step in the formation of the United States Constitution.

Explanation
A confederation is a group of independent states or nations that join together for a common purpose, usually with a central authority that is limited to defense and foreign relations. In a confederation, each member retains its sovereignty and has its own government, while the central authority serves as a coordinating body for the collective interests of the member states. This form of government is often contrasted with a national government, which has broader powers and authority over the entire nation.

Explanation
The branches of national government are the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches. The Executive branch is responsible for enforcing laws and is headed by the President. The Legislative branch is responsible for making laws and is composed of Congress, which consists of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Judicial branch is responsible for interpreting laws and is composed of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. These three branches work together to ensure a system of checks and balances in the government.

Explanation
Article VI of the United States Constitution declares that the laws passed by Congress "shall be the supreme Law of the Land." This means that federal laws take precedence over any conflicting state laws. It establishes the principle of federal supremacy, ensuring that the federal government has the ultimate authority in matters that fall under its jurisdiction. This provision helps maintain a unified legal framework and prevents conflicts between different state laws.

Explanation
The explanation for the given correct answer is that the Supremacy Clause is a constitutional doctrine that establishes the United States Constitution, federal statutes, and treaties as the supreme law of the land. This means that if there is a conflict between a federal law and a state law, the federal law will prevail and take precedence over the state law. Therefore, federal laws are indeed supreme over any conflicting state laws.

Explanation
The correct answer is Senate because the Legislative branch of the government consists of two houses: the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Senate is one of the two chambers of Congress and is responsible for representing the states equally, with each state having two senators. The House of Representatives, on the other hand, represents the population of each state and is based on the number of people living in each district. Together, the Senate and the House of Representatives make up the Legislative branch of the government.

Explanation
Amendment 21 is the only amendment to be ratified by state conventions. This means that instead of being ratified by the state legislatures, it was ratified by special conventions held in each state. This was a unique process for this particular amendment, making it the only one to have been ratified in this way.

Explanation
The correct answer is 22. This amendment, known as the 22nd Amendment, was proposed and ratified after President Franklin D. Roosevelt won a 4th term in 1944. The 22nd Amendment limits the number of times a person can be elected as President of the United States to two terms.

Explanation
The correct answer is 25. The 25th Amendment to the United States Constitution was proposed and ratified after President Dwight Eisenhower had a heart attack and the murder of JFK. This amendment deals with presidential succession and disability, providing a clear process for the vice president to assume the presidency in case of the president's death, resignation, or inability to perform their duties. It also outlines the procedure for filling a vice presidential vacancy.

Explanation
The ERA, or Equal Rights Amendment, was proposed in 1972. This amendment aimed to provide equal rights for all citizens regardless of their gender. It sought to eliminate any legal distinctions based on sex and promote gender equality under the law. The ERA was a significant step in the women's rights movement and was proposed to ensure equal treatment and protection for women in various aspects of life, including employment, education, and legal rights.

Explanation
There were 36 men who signed the Constitution.

Explanation
The Watergate scandal occurred during Richard Nixon's presidency in the 1970s, leading to his impeachment. The Iran-Contra scandal, on the other hand, took place during Ronald Reagan's presidency in the 1980s, also resulting in calls for his impeachment. Therefore, the correct answer is Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Explanation
The Declaration of Independence, Bill of Rights, and Constitution are housed in Washington, DC. This is because Washington, DC is the capital of the United States and is where the federal government is located. The National Archives building in Washington, DC specifically holds these important historical documents, preserving them for future generations.

Explanation
The U.S. being the first nation to have a written Constitution is a historically accurate statement. The United States Constitution was adopted on September 17, 1787, making it the oldest written constitution still in use today. This document established the framework for the U.S. government and outlined the rights and freedoms of its citizens. The creation of a written constitution was a significant step in the development of democratic governance and has since served as a model for many other countries around the world.

Explanation
The Constitution went into effect on June 21, 1788.

Explanation
In 1787, it required the approval of 9 out of the 13 states to ratify the Constitution. This is because the Constitution needed to be ratified by a supermajority of the states in order to ensure widespread support and legitimacy. With the ratification of 9 states, the Constitution became the supreme law of the land and established the foundation for the United States government.

Explanation
New Hampshire sealed the deal on the ratification of the Constitution.

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Delaware, New Jersey, and Georgia were the three states that had unanimous voting for the ratification of the Constitution. This means that all delegates from these states voted in favor of ratifying the Constitution without any opposition.

Explanation
Rhode Island and Connecticut are classified as charter colonies because they were established under charters granted by the English Crown. In charter colonies, the colonists were granted significant self-governance and had the ability to elect their own governors and legislatures. This allowed for a greater degree of independence compared to other colonial types.

Explanation
The statement is true because all colonies in the context had written charters that outlined their system of government and the rights of their citizens. These charters served as legal documents that established the framework for governance and protected the rights of individuals living in the colonies.

Explanation
Checks and balances is the correct answer because it refers to the system in which each branch of government has the ability to limit the powers of the other branches. This ensures that no single branch becomes too powerful and prevents any one branch from abusing its authority. By implementing checks and balances, the Constitution establishes a system of shared power and accountability among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches. This system helps to maintain a balance of power and protect individual rights and liberties.

Explanation
The statement suggests that the framers of the Constitution did not generally view the word "democracy" in a favorable affirmative manner. This implies that they may have had reservations or concerns about the concept of democracy, indicating that the correct answer is False.