Unit 1 AP Government & Politics

The importance of the "Grand Committee's" work on the US Constitution in Philadelphia was to

• abolish slavery, as most constitutional contributors were not enslavers

• convince states of the importance of a singular executive.

• determine how to apportion representatives in the legislature.

• prevent the tyranny of the majority.

Answer explanation

The Grand Committee's work also demonstrated the compromise needed to form a "more perfect Union."

John Locke's concept of natural rights is reflected in the USA's foundational documents, as best demonstrated in which quote?

• the Declaration's "Life, Liberty, and pursuit of Happiness"

• the US Constitution's preamble, "In order to form a more perfect union"

• the Declaration's "deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed"

• the US Constitution's preamble, "When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands..."

Answer explanation

The quote "When in the course..." is from the Declaration. The correct quote aligns with Locke's "life, liberty, and property" best.

California's Recall election for Governor Gavin Newsom is best described as an example of

• elite democracy

• representative democracy

• pluralist democracy

• participatory democracy

Answer explanation

Participatory democracy is a type of representative democracy. Recall, referendum, and initiatives (propositions), are specifically examples of participatory democracy.

Prior to the electoral college compromise, some leaders opposed the popular election of a president, and instead wanted only members of the legislature(s) to choose presidents. This would be most closely aligned with which form of representative democracy?

• participatory democracy

• pluralist democracy

• elite democracy

• popular democracy

Answer explanation

Our form of representative democracy isn't entirely defined by the method of voting for a president. Elite democracy emphasizes limited participation in politics and civil society.

Which document sought to explain a way to cure the "mischiefs of faction"?

• Federalist 1

• Brutus 1

• Federalist 10

• Articles of Confederation

Answer explanation

...Publius contended that we can only seek to control the effects of faction. Preventing the cause of factions is contrary to liberty...

In which document did the author contend that power should be divided amongst several states to prevent to much centralized power?

• Federalist 51

• Brutus 1

• Federalist 10

• Articles of Confederation

Answer explanation

Brutus 1 informs the writing of foundational documents. The Articles of Confederation are written by more than one person, and it's authors were not making arguments - they were writing rules/law, & procedures.

A key provision in the Articles of Confederation is

• gave specific powers for the federal government to form an army

• each state retains its sovereignty, freedom, & independence

• the federal government's power was made superior, or supreme, to state power

• a bicameral legislature, with a strong executive branch

The Mayflower Compact of 1620 was the first known written agreement for government by consensus in the Americas, whose creators intended to "covenant and combine our selves together into a civil body politick." This is most akin to ideas espoused in

• Federalist 10

• Brutus 1

• Declaration of Independence

• Federalist 51

Answer explanation

Contrary to the Declaration, the Compact vowed allegiance to the English King. Parallel may also be found in Locke, and Rousseau, depending of course on the version of the Compact's origins you understand to be true.

A struggle between non-government special interest groups, like the National Rifle Association (NRA) and Sandy Hook Promise, is BEST described as an example of

• participatory democracy

• pluralist democracy

• elite democracy

• representative democracy

Publius says that controlling the "mischief of factions" will be BEST achieved by

• eliminating the causes of faction

• having a large republic

• having smaller republics

• reducing liberty