Government Exam Review

What was the purpose of the Federalist Papers? (1780s)

• convince people that the Constitution contained safeguards against government becoming too strong

• to convince those that the power they were giving up would be wisely used

• to convince people that the AoC should be kept

• to remind people that the government must always be subject to majority rule

How did the Bill of Rights help to satisfy the arguments of some critics of the US Constitution?

• It guaranteed the powers of the federal government

• It guaranteed certain freedoms and rights to the people

• It limited the authority of state governments

• It restricted the territories in which slavery was legal

Originally, Thomas Hobbes and later John Locke were attributed with which major political theory?

• Democracy

• Federalism

• Social Contract

• Communism

How can the Congressional power to investigate provide for checks and balances among the branches of government?

• The power to investigate can result in substantial increases in the budget for certain federal programs

• Congress can use its power to investigate to oversee the operations of various agencies of the executive branch

• The power to investigate ensures that Congress will work closely with law enforcement agencies of the federal government

• Congress may use its power to investigate to help a state collect income taxes for state-run porgrams

Which of the following are examples of Congress' expressed powers?

• printing money and declaring war

• establishing schools

• establishing marriage laws

• running local elections

Both the Senate and the House have formal and informal qualifications for membership. What is the main difference between formal and informal qualifications?

• Formal qualifications do not have to be followed

• Informal qualifications include age and citizenship

• Informal qualifications are not political in nature

• Formal qualifications are outlined in the Constitution 

What is the role of conference committees in the legislative process?

• to resolve the differences between House and Senate versions of a bill 

• to write and present bills for debate

• to handle particular subjects and content

• to meet with the president before he approves a bill

The Department of Defense is responsible for which of the following?

• declaring war

• advising the president and overseeing the armed forces

• creating foreign policy

• running the state department

Which statement best illustrates the impact of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation on government?

• It increased the influence of the legislative branch

• It caused the votes to elect a Democratic Congress

• It allowed slaves to vote during the American Civil War

• It expanded the power and scope of the executive office

James Monroe promoted a foreign policy that would become known by which of the following names? (Monroe Doctrine)

• interventionism

• selective foreign aid

• free trade

• isolationism