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Chapter 2: The Constitution and Its Origins

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Chapter 2: The Constitution and Its Origins

8 problems · 0 figures

2-1 §2.1 source ↗

British colonists in North America in the late seventeenth century were greatly influenced by the political thought of ________.
  1. a.
    King James II
  2. b.
    Thomas Jefferson
  3. c.
    John Locke
  4. d.
    James Madison

Answer

C. John Locke

2-3 §2.1 source ↗

What key tenets of American political thought were influential in the decision to declare independence from Britain?

Answer

Americans believed all people (i.e., White males) possessed the rights to life, liberty, and property. The best way to protect these rights was by limiting the power of government and allowing people to govern themselves.

2-5 §2.2 source ↗

What important power did the national government lack under the Articles of Confederation?
  1. a.
    It could not coin money.
  2. b.
    It could not declare war.
  3. c.
    It could not impose taxes.
  4. d.
    It could not conduct foreign affairs.

Answer

C. It could not impose taxes.

2-7 §2.3 source ↗

According to the Great Compromise, how would representation in Congress be apportioned?
  1. a.
    Each state would have equal representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
  2. b.
    Congress would be a unicameral legislature with each state receiving equal representation.
  3. c.
    Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on each state’s population and every state would have two senators.
  4. d.
    Representation in both the House of Representatives and the Senate would be based on a state’s population.

Answer

C. Representation in the House of Representatives would be based on each state’s population and every state would have two senators.

2-9 §2.3 source ↗

What does separation of powers mean?

Answer

Separation of powers refers to the process of dividing government into different branches and giving different responsibilities and powers to each branch. In this way, the separate branches must work together to govern the nation. For example, according to the Constitution, Congress has the power to draft legislation. However, the president must sign a piece of proposed legislation before it becomes a law. Thus, the president and Congress must work together to make the nation’s laws.

2-11 §2.4 source ↗

What argument did Alexander Hamilton use to convince people that it was not dangerous to place power in the hands of one man?
  1. a.
    That man would have to pass a religious test before he could become president; thus, citizens could be sure that he was of good character.
  2. b.
    One man could respond to crises more quickly than a group of men like Congress.
  3. c.
    It was easier to control the actions of one man than the actions of a group.
  4. d.
    both B and C

Answer

D. both B and C

2-13 §2.5 source ↗

How many states must ratify an amendment before it becomes law?
  1. a.
    all
  2. b.
    three-fourths
  3. c.
    two-thirds
  4. d.
    one-half

Answer

B. three-fourths

2-15 §2.5 source ↗

What did the Fourteenth Amendment achieve?

Answer

The Fourteenth Amendment gave citizenship to African Americans and made all Americans equal before the law regardless of race or color. Over the years it has also been used to require states to guarantee their residents the same protections as those granted by the federal government in the Bill of Rights

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Problems and answers are adapted from American Government 4e by Glen Krutz and Sylvie Waskiewicz, OpenStax, and are used under the CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence. Access for free at https://openstax.org/books/american-government-4e/pages/1-introduction. Illustrations: Copyright Rice University, OpenStax, under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 license. This adaptation is released under the same licence, is non-commercial, and is neither affiliated with nor endorsed by OpenStax or Rice University.