Final Exam Study Guide

Why did the framers divide government powers between the national government and the states?

• One level of government couldn't handle all the responsibilities.

• Dividing government powers would prevent an abuse of power

• Dividing government powers created more political jobs

• They wanted two levels of government with exactly the same powers

Who has the final authority over all military matters?

• The House of Representatives

• The Senate

• The Supreme Court

• The President

What does the Miranda rule say?

• Accused persons are entitled to a fair and speedy trial

• A confession to a crime will not be accepted in court

• Police must tell a suspect about his/her rights before questioning

• Police must get a warrant before searching a home

How did English documents such as the English Bill of Rights influence American settlers?

• The documents almost prevented the American Revolution

• The governments they set up in the US included the same rights as the English documents

• They avoided the mistakes made in those documents

• They caused anger among the settlers and colonists

Which of the following describes judicial review?

• The executive branch may reject a decision of the courts

• The courts may declare an act of Congress or the President unconstitutional

• Congress may check the power of the President

• Congress may decide if a decision of the courts is constitutional

How does Congress override a President's veto?

• Minority vote of each house

• using a filibuster

• voting for cloture

• 2/3 vote of each house of Congress

Which of the following is true of an ex post facto law?

• It always helps the person accused of a crime

• It applies to a crime committed before the law was passed

• It allows a person to be punished without a court trial

• It prevents a person from being tried in federal court

According to the Declaration of Independence, what circumstances justify abolishing, or ending, a government?

• If the government imposes taxes on the people

• If the people become irritated with government's leaders

• If the government declares war without the people's consent

• If the government fails to secure basic individual rights

In what way is the formal amendment process an example of FEDERALISM at work?

• Amendments are proposed at the national level, ratification is state-by-state

• The federal judicial branch proposes all amendments

• Amendments are approved by a majority of state governors

• Amendments are proposed and ratified at the federal level

Why did all of the first state constitutions include the ideas of separation of powers and limited government?

• so they could guard against the abuse of government power

• so they could ensure the governor would have enough power

• because that was a requirement of the USCON

• because the original state charters included these ideas