Constitutional Democracy MCQ Quiz: Trivia!

1. The Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention refers to an agreement that:

Permitted states to count three-fifths of slaves for purposes of apportionment.

Established that the President would be elected by an electoral college.

Prohibited Congress from abolishing the slave trade prior to 1808.

The Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention refers to the agreement that created a Congress of two chambers. In one chamber, state representation would be according to population, ensuring that more populous states had more representatives. In the other chamber, representation would be equal among all states, regardless of population. This compromise was reached to address the concerns of both larger and smaller states, ensuring a balance of power and representation in the newly formed government.

Explanation

The Great Compromise at the Constitutional Convention refers to the agreement that created a Congress of two chambers. In one chamber, state representation would be according to population, ensuring that more populous states had more representatives. In the other chamber, representation would be equal among all states, regardless of population. This compromise was reached to address the concerns of both larger and smaller states, ensuring a balance of power and representation in the newly formed government.

2. Under the political theory that underlies the Constitution, the Bill of Rights grants Americans rights they would not otherwise possess.

True

False

The political theory that underlies the Constitution does not grant Americans rights they would not otherwise possess. Instead, it recognizes and protects the natural rights that individuals already have. The Bill of Rights serves as a safeguard against potential government infringement on these rights, rather than granting new rights. Therefore, the statement is false.

Explanation

The political theory that underlies the Constitution does not grant Americans rights they would not otherwise possess. Instead, it recognizes and protects the natural rights that individuals already have. The Bill of Rights serves as a safeguard against potential government infringement on these rights, rather than granting new rights. Therefore, the statement is false.

3. Slavery was abolished by the _____ Amendment to the Constitution.

13th

14th

15th

16th

The correct answer is 13th. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery in the United States. It was ratified in 1865, following the end of the Civil War. This amendment not only abolished slavery but also prohibited involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The 13th Amendment was a crucial step towards the liberation and equal rights of African Americans.

Explanation

The correct answer is 13th. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution abolished slavery in the United States. It was ratified in 1865, following the end of the Civil War. This amendment not only abolished slavery but also prohibited involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. The 13th Amendment was a crucial step towards the liberation and equal rights of African Americans.

4. The Constitutional Convention was concluded on:

July 4, 1787

September 17, 1787

July 4, 1791

September 17, 1791

The correct answer is September 17, 1787. This date marks the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, which was a gathering of delegates from the original thirteen colonies to draft the United States Constitution. The convention began on May 25, 1787, and after several months of debate and compromise, the final draft of the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. This event is significant because it laid the foundation for the American government and established the principles and structure that still guide the country today.

Explanation

The correct answer is September 17, 1787. This date marks the conclusion of the Constitutional Convention, which was a gathering of delegates from the original thirteen colonies to draft the United States Constitution. The convention began on May 25, 1787, and after several months of debate and compromise, the final draft of the Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787. This event is significant because it laid the foundation for the American government and established the principles and structure that still guide the country today.

5. The significance of the Supreme Court's holding in Marbury v. Madison (1803) was that:

The Supreme Court has the power to order the President to correct a legal wrong he has committed

The Supreme Court has the power to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional

Congress has the power modify the Supreme Court’s original jurisdiction

The significance of the Supreme Court's holding in Marbury v. Madison (1803) was that it established the principle of judicial review. This means that the Supreme Court has the power to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional. This landmark case solidified the Court's authority to interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress. It was a crucial moment in American history that established the balance of power between the branches of government and the Court's role as the final arbiter of constitutional interpretation.

Explanation

The significance of the Supreme Court's holding in Marbury v. Madison (1803) was that it established the principle of judicial review. This means that the Supreme Court has the power to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional. This landmark case solidified the Court's authority to interpret the Constitution and determine the constitutionality of laws passed by Congress. It was a crucial moment in American history that established the balance of power between the branches of government and the Court's role as the final arbiter of constitutional interpretation.

6. Through grants of power in the Constitution, the Framers sought to:

Define the powers of state government.

Create a government in which power was vested in the national government only.

Both empower the national government and limit its powers.

Enumerate the rights of the people.

The correct answer is both empower the national government and limit its powers. The Framers of the Constitution aimed to create a government that was strong enough to effectively govern the nation, but also wanted to ensure that it did not become too powerful and infringe upon the rights of the states and the people. Therefore, they granted certain powers to the national government, while also including checks and balances and a system of federalism to limit its powers and protect individual rights. This approach allowed for a balance of power between the national government and the states, while also safeguarding the rights of the people.

Explanation

The correct answer is both empower the national government and limit its powers. The Framers of the Constitution aimed to create a government that was strong enough to effectively govern the nation, but also wanted to ensure that it did not become too powerful and infringe upon the rights of the states and the people. Therefore, they granted certain powers to the national government, while also including checks and balances and a system of federalism to limit its powers and protect individual rights. This approach allowed for a balance of power between the national government and the states, while also safeguarding the rights of the people.

7. The term checks and balances refers to:

A form of government in which power is divided between a national government and states.

A constitutional system in which power is divided among three branches of government.

A form of government in which the people govern through elected representatives.

Checks and balances refers to a constitutional system in which branches of government are interlocked such that no one branch can act without the support or agreement of another. This system ensures that power is distributed among different branches of government, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. It allows each branch to oversee and limit the actions of the other branches, ensuring a balance of power and preventing any abuse of authority. This system is designed to protect against tyranny and promote accountability within the government.

Explanation

Checks and balances refers to a constitutional system in which branches of government are interlocked such that no one branch can act without the support or agreement of another. This system ensures that power is distributed among different branches of government, preventing any one branch from becoming too powerful. It allows each branch to oversee and limit the actions of the other branches, ensuring a balance of power and preventing any abuse of authority. This system is designed to protect against tyranny and promote accountability within the government.

8. The Framers created a system of checks and balances in the Constitution in order to:

Establish a pure democracy.

Establish a form of democracy known as a republic.

Protect the liberties of the people.

Preserve the sovereignty of the states.

The Framers of the Constitution established a system of checks and balances to protect the liberties of the people. This system ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful and infringes upon the rights and freedoms of the citizens. By dividing power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, the Framers aimed to prevent tyranny and safeguard individual liberties. This system allows each branch to check the powers of the others, ensuring a balance of power and protecting the rights of the people.

Explanation

The Framers of the Constitution established a system of checks and balances to protect the liberties of the people. This system ensures that no single branch of government becomes too powerful and infringes upon the rights and freedoms of the citizens. By dividing power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, the Framers aimed to prevent tyranny and safeguard individual liberties. This system allows each branch to check the powers of the others, ensuring a balance of power and protecting the rights of the people.

9. Which of the following was true under the Articles of Confederation?

The Congress did not have the power to tax or to regulate interstate commerce.

The President served as commander in chief.

Sovereignty was vested in the national government.

The Congress consisted of one chamber in which states were represented according to population.

Under the Articles of Confederation, the Congress did not have the power to tax or to regulate interstate commerce. This means that the national government did not have the authority to impose taxes on the states or regulate trade between states. This lack of power weakened the central government and hindered its ability to generate revenue or create a unified economic system. As a result, the government faced financial difficulties and struggled to maintain stability and effectiveness.

Explanation

Under the Articles of Confederation, the Congress did not have the power to tax or to regulate interstate commerce. This means that the national government did not have the authority to impose taxes on the states or regulate trade between states. This lack of power weakened the central government and hindered its ability to generate revenue or create a unified economic system. As a result, the government faced financial difficulties and struggled to maintain stability and effectiveness.

10. Which of the following was not a goal of the Framers of the Constitution?

To create a national government that was stronger than the one that existed under the Articles of Confederation

To protect the liberties of the people from the proposed government

To establish democracy as the basis for the new government to the maximum extent possible

To preserve the sovereignty of the states

The Framers of the Constitution did not have the goal of establishing democracy as the basis for the new government to the maximum extent possible. Instead, their main goals were to create a stronger national government, protect the liberties of the people from the proposed government, and preserve the sovereignty of the states. While they did aim to establish a democratic system, it was not their primary objective.

Explanation

The Framers of the Constitution did not have the goal of establishing democracy as the basis for the new government to the maximum extent possible. Instead, their main goals were to create a stronger national government, protect the liberties of the people from the proposed government, and preserve the sovereignty of the states. While they did aim to establish a democratic system, it was not their primary objective.