Quick Check 3 The Constitution

Which is the most democratic institution of government that represents the framers' commitment to a limited republic?

• U.S. Senate

• Supreme Court

• House of Representatives

• Electoral College

Which of the following is a chief argument in James Madison's Federalist No. 10?

• A Bill of Rights is necessary to secure liberty.

• Free speech should be added to the Constitution.

• Judicial review will present harsh laws against the citizenry.

• A large, diverse republic will tame factions.

The objection to the plan of the convention, which has met with most success in this State...is...the want of a constitutional provision for the trial by jury in civil cases. The disingenuous [insincere] form in which this objection is usually stated has been repeatedly [commented on] and exposed, but continues to be pursued...The mere silence of the Constitution in regard to civil causes, is represented as an abolition of the trial by jury [in an effort] to induce a persuasion that this pretended abolition is complete and universal, extending not only to every species of civil, but even to criminal causes...

Every man of discernment must at once perceive the wide difference between silence and bolition...

The maxims on which [the opponents' argument] rely are of this nature; "A specification of particulars is an exclusion of generals"; or, "The expression of one thing is the exclusion of another." Hence, say they, as the Constitution has established the trial by jury in criminal cases, and is silent in respect to civil, this silence is an implied prohibition of trial by jury in regard to the latter. -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 83, 1788

Which of the following statements is most consistent with Hamilton's argument in this passage?

• Jury trials in civil cases are not as important as jury trials in criminal cases.

• Silence and abolition have the same essential meaning and can be used interchangeable.

• The lack of specific reference to something in the Constitution does not mean it is disallowed.

• Trial by jury in civil cases is unacceptable because of jurors' lack of expertise.

The objection to the plan of the convention, which has met with most success in this State...is...the want of a constitutional provision for the trial by jury in civil cases. The disingenuous [insincere] form in which this objection is usually stated has been repeatedly [commented on] and exposed, but continues to be pursued...The mere silence of the Constitution in regard to civil causes, is represented as an abolition of the trial by jury [in an effort] to induce a persuasion that this pretended abolition is complete and universal, extending not only to every species of civil, but even to criminal causes...

Every man of discernment must at once perceive the wide difference between silence and bolition...

The maxims on which [the opponents' argument] rely are of this nature; "A specification of particulars is an exclusion of generals"; or, "The expression of one thing is the exclusion of another." Hence, say they, as the Constitution has established the trial by jury in criminal cases, and is silent in respect to civil, this silence is an implied prohibition of trial by jury in regard to the latter. -Alexander Hamilton, Federalist No. 83, 1788

Which governmental principle does the right to a jury trial support?

• Sovereignty

• Representative lawmaking

• State rights

• Individual liberties

"The Congress has the power...to create all lows that are necessary and proper..." can be found in which part of the Constitution?

• Article I

• Article II

• Article III

• The Bill of Rights

Shay's Rebellion highlighted which of the following weaknesses of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

• Lack of power to declare peace and war

• Lack of power to tax the people directly

• Lack of power to keep a standing army

• Lack of power to regulate interstate commerce

Which statement about impeachment under the Constitution is true?

• An impeachment is the removal of a president

• The Senate has the sole power of impeachment

• The House can impeach presidents but not other federal officials

• The House can impeach officials for "high crimes or misdemeanors."

Which of the following conclusions is best supported by the infographic above?

• Once a proposed amendment passes the first round of approval, there are four ways it can be ratified.

• Amendments are proposed more often by Congress than by special conventions

• Only a few amendments were ratified by special conventions in at least 34 of the states

• Amending the Constitution is a relatively easy process

Which concern of the framers does the method illustrated in the infographic address?

• National security

• Individual rights

• Flexibility

• Fair representation

Which of the following is an accurate comparison of the New Jersey Plan and the Virginia Plan?

• A

• B

• C

• D