Constitution Basics
What type of government did the framers intend to establish?
A representative republic
Shays’ Rebellion demonstrated the need for what major change in American government?
A stronger national government
What principle says that government gets its authority from the people?
Popular sovereignty
When the president vetoes a bill passed by Congress, what constitutional principle is being demonstrated?
Checks and balances
In Federalist No. 10, what did Madison call groups of citizens united by common interests that could threaten the rights of others?
Factions
What fraction of the states must ratify a proposed constitutional amendment?
Three-fourths of the states
Compared with the Articles of Confederation, the Constitution increased the economic powers of which level of government?
The national/central government
What theory argues that many different groups compete for influence over government?
Pluralism
The Senate can check the president by refusing to approve what presidential selections?
Presidential appointments
According to Madison, political liberty is best protected by fragmenting political power in what type of republic?
A large republic
What constitutional principle divides government authority among different political institutions?
Separation of powers
What was the most significant difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?
The Constitution created a strong national government, while the Articles created a weak central government
What theory argues that a small minority dominates political power?
Elite theory
What type of agreement negotiated by the president can the Senate refuse to approve?
A treaty
The framers designed the national legislative process to be cautious and what?
Deliberate
What are powers specifically granted to the federal government, such as coining money, declaring war, and regulating interstate commerce, called?
Enumerated powers
What important revenue-raising power did Congress gain under the Constitution that the national government lacked under the Articles?
The power to levy taxes
What type of democracy features competitive elections, protection of minority rights, a free press, and equality in voting?
Liberal democracy
Which chamber conducts an impeachment trial of the president and can vote to convict and remove the president?
The Senate
What institution did the framers create to formally elect the president?
The Electoral College
Under the original Constitution, which part of the national government most closely represented popular, majoritarian democracy?
The House of Representatives
What was the most important effect of replacing the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution?
The creation of a strong national government
Which is NOT necessarily a trait of a liberal democracy: competitive elections, minority rights, free press, voting equality, or income equality?
Income equality
What was the most important effect of replacing the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution?
The creation of a strong national government
Why do presidential candidates concentrate their campaigning on competitive or “swing” states?
Because winning those states can provide the electoral votes needed to win the presidency