American Government Exam 1 Review

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  • 1/30 Questions

    The principle of checks and balances is based on the idea that:

    • Leaders are the trustees of the people
    • A weak government is always preferable to a strong government
    • At the end of each congressional session, the Supreme Court reviews all acts of the Executive branch and Congress and may rule them unconstitutional
    • Power must be used to offset power
    • None of the above
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About This Quiz

This quiz, titled 'American Government Exam 1 Review', assesses understanding of key constitutional concepts, including checks and balances, concurrent powers, and historical influences on U. S. Governance. It is ideal for learners aiming to enhance their knowledge in American political structure and historical immigration trends.

American Government Exam 1 Review - Quiz

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  • 2. 

    Among the concurrent powers of the federal and state governments is the power to:

    • Regulate foreign commerce

    • Coin money

    • Lay and collect taxes

    • Establish post offices

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Lay and collect taxes
    Explanation
    The power to lay and collect taxes is a concurrent power of both the federal and state governments. This means that both levels of government have the authority to impose and collect taxes from their respective citizens. This power allows them to generate revenue to fund their operations and provide public services.

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  • 3. 

    When Americans speak of the ideal of equality, they mean by that term which of the following beliefs:

    • A guaranteed minimum income for all

    • Equal opportunity for material gain and political influence.

    • Equality in taxation

    • Equality in income

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Equal opportunity for material gain and political influence.
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "equal opportunity for material gain and political influence." When Americans speak of the ideal of equality, they are referring to the belief that everyone should have an equal chance to succeed and achieve material wealth, as well as have an equal say in the political process. This means that individuals should not be hindered or disadvantaged based on their socioeconomic status, race, gender, or any other factor. It does not imply a guaranteed minimum income for all or equality in income or taxation.

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  • 4. 

    One of the most important factors that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787 was:

    • Boston Tea Party

    • The Stamp Act

    • Shays Rebellion

    • The Battle of Bunker Hill

    • The Boston Massacre

    Correct Answer
    A. Shays Rebellion
    Explanation
    Shays Rebellion was one of the most important factors that led to the Constitutional Convention of 1787. This rebellion highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the inability of the central government to maintain order and protect property rights. The rebellion demonstrated the need for a stronger federal government and ultimately led to the decision to revise the Articles of Confederation, resulting in the creation of the United States Constitution.

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  • 5. 

    Most immigrants have come to the U.S. from:

    • Canada

    • Mexico

    • China

    • India

    • Cuba

    Correct Answer
    A. Mexico
    Explanation
    The correct answer is Mexico because Mexico has historically been the largest source of immigrants to the United States. The proximity of the two countries and economic opportunities in the U.S. have led to a significant flow of immigrants from Mexico. Additionally, factors such as family reunification, better job prospects, and escaping violence and poverty have also contributed to the large number of Mexican immigrants in the U.S.

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  • 6. 

    A source of conflict between the states and the national government is:

    • Unfunded mandates

    • Control over the national guard

    • The Full Faith and Credit clause of Article IV

    • Lobbying by states for federal funds

    • Both A and C

    Correct Answer
    A. Unfunded mandates
    Explanation
    Unfunded mandates refer to federal laws or regulations that require states to implement certain policies or programs without providing the necessary funding to cover the costs. This often leads to conflicts between states and the national government as states are burdened with the financial responsibility of implementing these mandates. This lack of funding can strain state budgets and resources, causing tension and disagreements between states and the national government. Therefore, unfunded mandates can be a significant source of conflict between the two entities.

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  • 7. 

    At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, two major cleavages soon became apparent:

    • Republicans and Democrats

    • State size and slavery

    • Religion and politics

    • Gender and religion

    • Politics and gender

    Correct Answer
    A. State size and slavery
    Explanation
    At the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, one major cleavage was between states based on their size and the issue of slavery. This refers to the divide between larger states, who wanted representation based on population size, and smaller states, who wanted equal representation regardless of size. Additionally, the issue of slavery further deepened this divide, with states having differing opinions on the institution of slavery and its impact on representation and power in the new government.

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  • 8. 

    In Federalist No.10, Madison argued that:

    • The federal government should have a unified power so that the majority could prevail

    • The most important role of government was to control "the mischief's of faction"

    • The sources of faction in society can be removed

    • The states should be able to veto federal taxes

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. The most important role of government was to control "the mischief's of faction"
    Explanation
    In Federalist No.10, Madison argued that the most important role of government was to control "the mischief's of faction". Madison believed that factions, or groups with shared interests, were inevitable in a democratic society. However, he also recognized that factions could lead to the oppression of minority groups or the pursuit of narrow interests at the expense of the common good. Therefore, he argued that the government should aim to control the negative effects of factions by promoting compromise, protecting individual rights, and ensuring that no single faction could dominate the political system.

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  • 9. 

    Political culture refers to:

    • "the process by which it is determined whose values will prevail in the making of public policy"

    • "a general agreement on issues"

    • "cultural myths that are basically true"

    • "core values about the role of government, its operations and institutions held by citizens"

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. "core values about the role of government, its operations and institutions held by citizens"
    Explanation
    Political culture refers to the core values that citizens hold about the role of government, its operations, and institutions. It encompasses the beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that shape political behavior and influence public policy-making. These core values are shared by a significant portion of the population and provide a framework for understanding and evaluating political issues. Political culture helps to determine the expectations and preferences that citizens have for their government and guides their participation in the political process.

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  • 10. 

    Restraints on political power the Founding fathers put in the U.S. Constitution included all of the following except:

    • Grants of power

    • Denials of power

    • Using power to check power

    • Separated institutions that share power

    • Careful and strong limits on political parties

    Correct Answer
    A. Careful and strong limits on political parties
    Explanation
    The Founding fathers put various restraints on political power in the U.S. Constitution to prevent any one branch or individual from becoming too powerful. These restraints included grants of power, denials of power, using power to check power, and separated institutions that share power. However, careful and strong limits on political parties were not explicitly included in the Constitution. While the Founding fathers did express concerns about political factions, they did not establish specific limits on parties.

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  • 11. 

    A major reason that writers of the Constitution established a federal system of government is because

    • The states already existed

    • It was consistent with the philosphy expressed in the Declaration of Independence

    • Locke and Montesquieu thought it was superior to other systems of government

    • The British political systems was based on the federal principle

    Correct Answer
    A. The states already existed
    Explanation
    The writers of the Constitution established a federal system of government because the states already existed. This means that there were already individual states with their own governments in place, and the framers of the Constitution needed to find a way to unite these states under a central government. By creating a federal system, they were able to strike a balance between the power of the central government and the autonomy of the individual states. This allowed for a more efficient and effective system of governance that could address both national and local concerns.

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  • 12. 

    A unitary national government:

    • Cannot be a democracy

    • Can designate the powers of regional or state governments

    • Are limited by the inherent powers of the regional or state governments

    • Both A and B

    • Both A and C

    Correct Answer
    A. Can designate the powers of regional or state governments
    Explanation
    A unitary national government can designate the powers of regional or state governments. This means that even though the central government holds ultimate authority, it can delegate certain powers to regional or state governments. This allows for a more decentralized system of governance, where local governments can have some level of autonomy in decision-making and implementation. However, it is important to note that a unitary national government can still be a democracy, as the power ultimately rests with the people through their elected representatives.

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  • 13. 

    In the dispute over how slaves were would count for representation, the Constitutional Convention approved the:

    • Great Compromise

    • Virginia Plan

    • Three-fifths compromise

    • New Jersey Plan

    • Supremacy clause

    Correct Answer
    A. Three-fifths compromise
    Explanation
    The Three-fifths compromise was approved by the Constitutional Convention as a solution to the dispute over how slaves would be counted for representation. This compromise stated that each slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person when determining a state's population for representation in the House of Representatives. This compromise was a balance between the Southern states, who wanted slaves to be fully counted for representation, and the Northern states, who argued that slaves should not be counted at all.

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  • 14. 

    A public policy program that is jointly funded, jointly administered and jointly determined by both state and national governments is an example of:

    • Dual federalism

    • Cooperative federalism

    • Layer cake federalism

    • Disjointed federalism

    • Balanced federalism

    Correct Answer
    A. Cooperative federalism
    Explanation
    Cooperative federalism is the correct answer because it refers to a system where both the state and national governments work together to fund, administer, and determine public policy programs. This type of federalism emphasizes collaboration and cooperation between the two levels of government, rather than a strict separation of powers. In cooperative federalism, the state and national governments share responsibilities and resources to address common issues and achieve collective goals. This approach allows for greater flexibility and coordination in implementing public policies and promotes a more unified approach to governance.

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  • 15. 

    To address opposition to the new Constitution, the framers:

    • Added the Bill of Rights to it

    • Sent troops to put down Shays Rebellion

    • Allowed for the popular election of the President

    • Allowed for the popular election of senators

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Allowed for the popular election of the President
    Explanation
    The correct answer is "allowed for the popular election of the President." The framers of the Constitution addressed opposition to it by including a provision for the popular election of the President. This was a significant departure from the previous system, where the President was elected by an electoral college. The popular election of the President was seen as a way to give more power to the people and ensure that their voices were heard in the selection of the country's leader.

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  • 16. 

    The Founding Fathers limited the people to an indirect role in the selection of all except which of which these institutions?

    • President

    • Supreme Court

    • House of Representatives

    • Electoral College

    • Senate

    Correct Answer
    A. House of Representatives
    Explanation
    The Founding Fathers limited the people to an indirect role in the selection of the President, Supreme Court, Electoral College, and Senate. However, they did not limit the people's direct role in the selection of the House of Representatives. The House of Representatives is the only institution mentioned in the question where the people have a direct role in the selection process.

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  • 17. 

    Supporters of more federalism cite all of the following as advantages of federalism except for:

    • Accommodating diversity

    • Supporting liberty by dividing power between levels of government

    • Providing state as laboratories of democracy

    • Allowing for adaptability to changing circumstances

    • Allowing for unfunded federal mandates

    Correct Answer
    A. Allowing for unfunded federal mandates
    Explanation
    Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional or state governments. Supporters of federalism argue that it accommodates diversity, supports liberty by dividing power, provides states as laboratories of democracy, and allows for adaptability to changing circumstances. However, allowing for unfunded federal mandates is not seen as an advantage of federalism. Unfunded federal mandates refer to when the central government imposes requirements on state governments without providing the necessary funding to implement them. This can place a financial burden on states and limit their autonomy.

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  • 18. 

    Under the Articles of Confederation, which of the following is not true:

    • The states were subordinate to the national government

    • National government was weak

    • The national government could not levy taxes directly on citizens

    • The national government had inadequate military power to put down insurrections

    • Each state had an equal vote in Congress

    Correct Answer
    A. The states were subordinate to the national government
    Explanation
    The Articles of Confederation did not establish a system where the states were subordinate to the national government. Instead, the states had a significant amount of power and autonomy, while the national government had limited authority. This decentralized structure was one of the main weaknesses of the Articles, as it hindered the ability of the national government to effectively govern the country.

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  • 19. 

    The "necessary and proper" clause is important because it:

    • Allows the military to control rebellion

    • Permits the Court to suspend rules when necessary

    • Gives the President great power in times of national crisis

    • Stretched the powers of the states

    • Allows Congress to make laws to execute its enumerated powers

    Correct Answer
    A. Allows Congress to make laws to execute its enumerated powers
    Explanation
    The "necessary and proper" clause is important because it allows Congress to make laws to execute its enumerated powers. This clause, also known as the Elastic Clause, is found in Article I, Section 8 of the United States Constitution. It gives Congress the authority to pass laws that are necessary and proper to carry out its specific powers listed in the Constitution. This clause has been interpreted broadly by the courts, allowing Congress to exercise powers beyond those explicitly listed in the Constitution, as long as they are deemed necessary and proper to fulfill its responsibilities.

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  • 20. 

    Which of the following most showed the suspicion of the Founding Fathers of direct democracy?

    • Direct election of the members of the House of Representatives

    • The establishment of the Electoral College

    • Basing the number of members of the House of Representatives for each state on population

    • The Great Compromise

    • A and C

    Correct Answer
    A. The establishment of the Electoral College
    Explanation
    The establishment of the Electoral College most showed the suspicion of the Founding Fathers of direct democracy. The Electoral College was created as a compromise to balance the power between the states and the people. It allowed for the indirect election of the President, with electors chosen by each state rather than a direct popular vote. This system was designed to prevent the potential dangers of direct democracy, such as the tyranny of the majority and the manipulation of public opinion. It reflected the Founding Fathers' concerns about the potential for mob rule and their desire to protect minority rights.

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  • 21. 

    The case McCulloch v. Maryland, the court ruled:

    • The state of Maryland cannot tax the National Bank

    • Affirmed that national law is supreme to conflicting state law

    • Established the principle of judicial review

    • That voters could vote directly for members of the Senate

    • A and B

    Correct Answer
    A. A and B
    Explanation
    In the case McCulloch v. Maryland, the court ruled that the state of Maryland cannot tax the National Bank. This decision affirmed the principle that national law is supreme to conflicting state law. Therefore, the correct answer is A and B.

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  • 22. 

    The English philosopher contending that the individual has a right to protection of life, liberty and property was:

    • Locke

    • Montesquieu

    • Aristotle

    • Hobbes

    • Calhouln

    Correct Answer
    A. Locke
    Explanation
    John Locke, an English philosopher, argued that individuals have a natural right to life, liberty, and property. He believed that these rights are inherent and cannot be taken away by any governing authority. Locke's ideas greatly influenced the development of modern liberal democracy and the concept of individual rights. His writings were instrumental in shaping the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, particularly in regards to the protection of individual freedoms and the limitation of government power.

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  • 23. 

    The Anti-Federalists:

    • Wanted more uniformity among the states and less diversity

    • Were the supporters of the Constitution

    • Feared that the proposed constitution would lead to overly powerful and intrusive national government

    • Opposed the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution

    • Supported John Marshall's view of national supremacy

    Correct Answer
    A. Feared that the proposed constitution would lead to overly powerful and intrusive national government
    Explanation
    The Anti-Federalists were concerned that the proposed constitution would result in a national government that was too powerful and intrusive. They believed that this would undermine the rights and autonomy of the states. The Anti-Federalists wanted to ensure that there was a balance of power between the national government and the states, and they feared that the proposed constitution did not provide enough safeguards against potential abuses of power. They advocated for more limited government and greater protection of individual rights.

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  • 24. 

    In Gibbons v. Ogden the Supreme Court decided to:

    • Expand the rights of the states to regulate economic activities

    • Allow the states to refuse to accept the Tariff of 1828

    • Invalidate a monopoly granted by the state of New York that was in conflict with a federal license

    • Allow some states to nullify federal statues in some specific instences

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. Invalidate a monopoly granted by the state of New York that was in conflict with a federal license
    Explanation
    In Gibbons v. Ogden, the Supreme Court decided to invalidate a monopoly granted by the state of New York that was in conflict with a federal license. This means that the Court ruled that the state's grant of a monopoly was not valid because it conflicted with a license granted by the federal government. This decision established the principle that federal law takes precedence over state law in matters of interstate commerce.

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  • 25. 

    Where government is dominated by a small exclusive class, it is called a(n):

    • Theocracy

    • Populism

    • Anarchy

    • Monarchy

    • Oligarchy

    Correct Answer
    A. Oligarchy
    Explanation
    An oligarchy refers to a form of government where a small group of individuals, often from a privileged or elite class, hold the majority of power and influence. In such a system, decision-making and governance are concentrated in the hands of this select few, while the majority of the population has limited or no participation in the political process. This type of government is characterized by the dominance of a small exclusive class, making it an apt description for the given scenario.

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  • 26. 

    A government in which the people elect representatives to govern them is a:

    • Populist democracy

    • Direct democracy

    • Republic

    • Elitist democracy

    • Aristocracy

    Correct Answer
    A. Republic
    Explanation
    A republic is a form of government where the people elect representatives to govern them. This system allows for a more indirect form of democracy, where the elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people. In a republic, the power lies with the representatives who are chosen by the citizens through an electoral process. This form of government aims to ensure that the rights and interests of the people are protected and that decisions are made in the best interest of the entire population.

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  • 27. 

    A New England town meeting is an example of:

    • Republican government

    • Direct democracy

    • The initiative

    • Pluralist democracy

    • Inventive democracy

    Correct Answer
    A. Direct democracy
    Explanation
    A New England town meeting is an example of direct democracy because it allows all eligible citizens to gather and make decisions collectively. In this type of government, citizens have the power to directly participate in the decision-making process, rather than electing representatives to make decisions on their behalf. Town meetings provide a platform for citizens to voice their opinions, discuss issues, and vote on various matters, making it a prime example of direct democracy.

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  • 28. 

    Shay's Rebellion occurred because:

    • The government of Massachusetts was foreclosing on farmers' land

    • The states of Virginia refused to pay money to the national treasury unless it was based on population

    • Connecticut placed a tariff on goods coming into that state from New York

    • The Georgia militia would not answer a call from the national government to defend the country

    • None of the above

    Correct Answer
    A. The government of Massachusetts was foreclosing on farmers' land
    Explanation
    During Shay's Rebellion, the government of Massachusetts faced a significant issue where they were foreclosing on farmers' land. This action by the government led to widespread discontent among the farmers who were struggling financially. The farmers, led by Daniel Shays, rebelled against the government's foreclosure policies as they felt it was unjust and oppressive. This rebellion highlighted the economic hardships faced by the farmers and their dissatisfaction with the government's actions, ultimately leading to calls for reform and a stronger central government.

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  • 29. 

    Federal grants-in-aid that can be used only for specific projects are called:

    • Categorical grants

    • Block grants

    • Revenue-sharing grants

    • Discretionary grants

    • Specified grants

    Correct Answer
    A. Categorical grants
    Explanation
    Categorical grants are federal grants-in-aid that can only be used for specific projects. These grants are typically given to states or local governments for specific purposes, such as education or transportation. Unlike block grants or revenue-sharing grants, which provide more flexibility in how the funds can be used, categorical grants have more restrictions and guidelines. Discretionary grants and specified grants are not commonly used terms in the context of federal grants-in-aid.

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  • 30. 

    The idea of individual liberty is most associated with:

    • Powers denied to government

    • The right to be left alone by government

    • Unlimited government

    • The Equal Protection clause of the 14th Amendment

    • A and B

    Correct Answer
    A. A and B
    Explanation
    The idea of individual liberty is most associated with powers denied to government and the right to be left alone by government. Individual liberty refers to the freedom and autonomy of individuals to make choices and live their lives without interference or oppression from the government. Powers denied to government and the right to be left alone by government are essential components of individual liberty as they limit the government's authority and protect individuals from excessive government control or intrusion. Therefore, both options A and B are correct.

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  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2023
    Quiz Edited by
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  • Dec 17, 2009
    Quiz Created by
    Clb21791

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