Cause and effect
What is one issue that was rectified by the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?
a. States could elect representatives
b. The federal government was weakened
c. Including three branches allowed the government to set up a court system
d. It avoided the issue of states' rights because it was a sensitive topic
c. Including three branches allowed the government to set up a court system
Explanation: One of the ISSUES with the AOC was that it only had one branch of govt. Option A does not address an issue that existed. B and D are false statements
What most attracted the Founding Fathers to Montesquieu’s explanation of the separation of powers?
A. Their separation could protect the rights of the nobility from the actions of the king.
B. Their separation raised judicial power to a level of equality with legislative and executive power.
C. Their separation could preserve the privileges of the monarch and nobles from popular attack
D. Their separation could help prevent the central government from becoming tyrannical and oppressive.
D. Their separation could help prevent the central government from becoming tyrannical and oppressive.
Explanation: MOST of what the Founding Fathers did was based on STOPPING TYRANNY. Remember: they were abused by England's government because the king had too much powers. They wanted to create something where no one became too powerful. They
Draw or write out how a bill becomes a law
One chamber's standing committee
Floor for debate and vote (needs majority)
Other chamber's standing committee
Floor for debate and vote (needs majority)
MAYBE a Conference Committee
President signs or vetoes
The passage below comes from the Declaration of Independence (1776)
“He has kept us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislature….”
Which section of the Declaration contained this passage?
A. Its list of colonial grievances
B. Its justification of the conduct of the colonists
C. Its theory of government based on a social contract
D. Its announcement of American independence from Britain
A. Its list of colonial grievances
Explanation: There are 3 sections of the DOI. One is grievances (complaints). In this quote, "He" refers to the king, and we see the phrase "without our consent" which tells us this is a complaint about the king
Why was the third amendment in the Bill of Rights "no quartering"
England had quartered soldiers. They wanted to make sure their new government wouldn't do it
Why did colonists partake in protests such as boycotts?
a. They were poor and could not afford things
b. They lacked representation in England's parliament
c. They were upset about the French and Indians
d. They thought it would help raise prices
b. They lacked representation in England's parliament
Explanation: colonists protesting?! We KNOW what this is about. They don't have representation. They don't get to vote. They haven't given their consent. Don't let words like "'lacked" and "Parliament" get in your way. BEFORE you read the answer choices, you knew they were upset about representation
Which statement would the Founding Fathers disagree with?
A. Governments derive their power from the consent of the governed
B. People are endowed certain unalienable rights by their Creator
C. One single ruler should have full power over all citizens
D. Citizens have the right to abolish a government that does not protect the rights of its citizens
C. One single ruler should have full power over all citizens
Explanation: The Founding Father's whole idea was that citizens should have power, and that a government was necessary, but that no one person or group should have too much power because they would become tyrannical. They believed in social contract, consent of the governed, and popular sovereignty. Therefore, they would disagree w C! A, B, and D are all ideas they 100% agreed with
If the U.S. District Court has original jurisdiction over a case, how would that case end up in the Supreme Court
It would have to get appealed, go to the Court of Appeals, and then get appealed again to get up to the Supreme Court
Fake quote alert:
"Hjkkf grlo km;p jerwgjkg lolz sjfh ejej."
- Thomas Paine, Common Sense
What is the main idea of this quote?
a. Hjkkf
b. Colonial independence
c. Trial by jury
d. Separation of powers
b. Colonial independence
No explanation. Know your facts. "Common Sense" by Paine = colonial independence
Why did Shays' rebellion happen?
Farmers were upset about the state of Massachusetts taxing them too much and taking their farms
[ British polices limit colonial rights ] --> [ ??? ] --> [British ignore colonial grievances] --> [Declaration of Independence is approved]
What goes in the empty box?
A. Colonial agriculture-trade business
B. Colonial religious devotion increases
C. Colonial demand for political change increases
D. Colonial demand for military assistance increases
C. Colonial demand for political change increases
This diagram might remind you of the braindump, but remember: Mr. Farley did not make this test, so diagrams will not be a perfect match to our braindumps. There are enough hints in this diagram for you to know that it is talking about the relationship between England and the colonies. You KNOW the colonies wanted change. It makes sense in the order of the boxes. Don't get distracted by terms like "political change" (changes in govt). "Increase" means to add or go up. So their demand for change went up.
What do these words all have in common: popular sovereignty, consent of the governed, rule of law, and trial by jury
They protect us from tyranny
How is an amendment ratified?
1. Proposal: 2/3 in Congress
2. Ratification: 3/4 of states
ORRRR
2/3 of states call for a convention, and any amendment that receives 3/4 of the states' votes is ratified
Fake quote alert:
"jkllll jjeoo jjk ppppoooonsu wer"
- Federalist Paper #32
What is this quote encouraging American citizens to do?
a. Adopt the U.S. Constitution
b. Reject a federal system of government
c. Declare independence from England
d. Pass the women's suffrage amendment
a. Adopt the U.S. Constitution
Explanation:
Adopt the U.S. Constitution -- the Constitution established a federal system. These are the "Federalist Papers"... they support federalism and the Constitution
Why did America fight England for independence? (think: social contract)
England's government violated their natural rights instead of protecting them
Why do we have a bicameral legislature?
a. It was a compromise to appease small states that wanted equal representation and larger states that adhered to an ideology that representation should be based on population
b. It was designed this way to make sure bills were reviewed by more than 500 people before being added to our legal code
c. To ensure that states had powers reserved to run schools, issue licenses, and establish local governments
d. To provide advisement to the president in times of need
a. It was a compromise to appease small states that wanted equal representation and larger states that adhered to an ideology that representation should be based on population
Explanation; Hopefully you know that Senate is equal representation (2 per state) and House is based on population. Even if you are confused by some of these words AND didn't know WHY Congress was made bicameral, you should be able to find that the basic info matches your knowledge
Reminder on C: True statement, but does not answer THE QUESTION. Slow down, find the topic, address the question.
Why is having a jury at trials important?
a. It's easier to come to a decision when you have a group of people
b. They can help the judge
c. It allows the accused to confront their accuser
d. It protects the right to be tried by one's peers
d. It protects the right to be tried by one's peers
Explanation: "Tried by one's peers" literally means "To be put on trial by a group of people (jury)". Our Founding Father thought this was important because England's judges were unfair to them. Having juries makes trial more fair
During President Trump's first term, he was accused of interfering with the election in which he defeated then opponent Hillary Clinton. How would Rule of Law apply in this situation?
a. He was arrested and questioned by police with his lawyer present
b. He was impeached by the House, and then investigated by Senate
c. He was given a warning by the Supreme Court
d. He was sanctioned by the U.N.
b. He was impeached by the House, and then investigated by Senate
This is the impeachment process for when people think the president has committed a crime in office
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men.............are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness........"
According to this passage, what is the principal role of government?
A. To promote greater social equality
B. To protect the natural rights of citizens
C. To glorify the ruler in the eyes of the Creator
D. To help individuals cooperate against the forces of nature
B. To protect the natural rights of citizens
Explanation: hopefully you recognize this quote from the Preamble of the DOI!! But maybe you don't...
Don't get caught up on "principal role"... you know they're asking you what the quote is about. When you see life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, you should recognize that those are the unalienable rights that were based off of Locke's list of natural rights
Why did the colonists finally meet together at the First Continental Congress?
England had shut down Boston Harbor and civic meetings. The colonists finally decided enough was enough
Why did the Founding Father's create a confederal system of government?
a. They didn't
b. They wanted to protect states' rights
c. They wanted a strong central government
d. They wanted a Bill of Rights
b. They wanted to protect states' rights
Explanation: a LOT of their decisions were based off what they had experienced under England's rule. England had a unitary system. They wanted to make sure that model got thrown out, so they made a confederal system where the states would have all the power.
How is, "We the people," exemplified in America's modern political system?
a. Voters elect Congress members.
b. The Electoral College elects Congress.
c. Congress enforces policies
d. The president enacts policies.
a. Voters elect Congress members.
Explanation: whenever we refer back to "We the people" (first 3 words in the Constitution), we are talking about ideas like consent of the governed, popular sovereignty, social contract, and republicanism. Therefore you should always look for an answer that has something to do with the CITIZENS/people/voters having power over the government officials
Name two things our Chief Diplomat can do before engaging in military action with a foreign nation
- Diplomatic talks
- Economic sanctions
Fake quote alert: "jkwelqrgj;regnj; u;q qwwe3r87 hwgjk"
What ideal is represented in this quote about Rule of Law?
a. Voting rights for different groups forces politicians to serve more needs of citizens
b. Free press is essential for an informed society
c. Elected officials should have to follow the laws
d. The amendment process is designed to withstand fleeting political movements
c. Elected officials should have to follow the laws
Explanation: Rule of Law IS the idea that everyone (even powerful people like elected officials) should follow the law and be held accountable. Sometimes on the test we will really need the quote to help us. Other times we can just focus on what the topic is.
Why did the Framers of the Constitution list their goals and purposes in the Preamble?
No one asked them to make a FEDERAL system of government, so they were trying to lay out WHY they're creating the new government this way. They are basically listing the issues that the AOC created -- they wanted people to see that the new Constitution could fix those things