American Government Exam 1 Review

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The principle of checks and balances is based on the idea that power must be used to offset power. This means that no single branch of government should have too much power, as it could lead to tyranny or abuse of power. Instead, the powers of the different branches should be balanced and checked by one another to ensure that no one branch becomes too dominant. This system helps to safeguard against the concentration of power and promotes accountability and the protection of individual rights.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.