Constitution, STAAR Review

Why did some of the founders of the American republic consider the lack of a national executive and judiciary under the Articles of Confederation as one of the document's great strengths?

• They feared a strong central government.

• They feared the threat of a foreign invasion.

• They were willing to risk tyranny for an effective national government.

• They desired to copy the British monarchy.

The "Three-fifths Compromise" was included in the U.S. Constitution in order to resolve a conflict over the ---

• number of votes needed to approve a treaty in the Senate

• number of states needed to ratify a proposed amendment

• reimbursement of plantation owners for runaway slaves

• counting of enslaved persons for purposes of taxation and representation

One accomplishment of the national government under the Articles of Confederation was the passage of a law establishing ---

• a central banking system

• a process for admitting new states to the Union

• the President's right to put down rebellions

• the ability of Congress to tax the states effectively

Which question at the Constitutional Convention was resolved by the "Great Compromise"?

• How should the President be elected?

• Who should control commerce and trade?

• What should be the structure of the federal court system?

• What formula should be used for Congressional representation?

Which statement describes a characteristic of the national government established by the U.S. Constitution?

• The powers of the national government were limited.

• The Supreme Court had the authority to create lower courts.

• The President had exclusive control over all government activities.

• The states kept the most governmental powers.

Which grievance in the Declaration of Independence was later addressed by the U.S. Constitution?

• providing that all taxes must be approved by Congress

• creating a process for the admission of new states

• enacting a law to allow the President to declare war

• appointing federal judges for a limited term of office

The purpose of the amending process in the U.S. Constitution was to ---

• allow the Constitution to adjust for changing times

• balance power between the state and the national governments

• prevent any one branch of the government from becoming too powerful

• protect the liberties of individuals from the abuses of government power

The principle of federalism deals with the division of power between the ---

• President and Congress

• Senate and House of Representatives

• national and state governments

• three branches of federal government

What was a key argument used by the Federalists for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

• It prohibited the power of the federal government to wage war.

• It provided for construction of a new capital in the South.

• It allowed the slave trade to continue for at least twenty more years.

• It had features that prevented the abuse of government power.

Which historic document was written in support of ratification of the U.S. Constitution?

• Magna Carta

• Mayflower Compact

• Declaration of Independence

• The Federalist Papers