Steps to Union Review

The cartoon shows columns representing those States that had ratified the Constitution being placed in a row by the Hand of God (on the column representing North Carolina).

In what way does this cartoon illustrate the notion of federalism?

• This is a Federalist cartoon that suggests that the States should stand together to build a strong country.

• This is a Federalist cartoon that supports the argument that the Constitution contains an adequate balance of power.

• This is an Anti-Federalist cartoon that supports the argument that the States need more independence.

• This is an Anti-Federalist cartoon that supports the argument that the presidency could become a monarchy.

Which of the following are considered to have contributed the MOST to creating the Constitution?

• Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton

• James Wilson and James Madison

• Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Paine

• Patrick Henry and John Adams

Which constitutional principle was being practiced at the event represented by this ticket?

• Federalism

• separation of powers

• checks and balances

• popular sovereignty

The Framers included the Supremacy Clause in the Constitution for the purpose of

• making the Supreme Court the most powerful branch of the Federal Government.

• giving the Federal Government complete authority over all actions of State governments.

• making the individual State governments more powerful than the Federal Government.

• helping to settle disputes between different levels of government in the federal system.

Which of the constitutional principles listed was Madison describing and defending in the quote below?

“In the compound republic of America, the power . . . is first divided between two distinct governments. . .. The different governments will control each other, at the same time that each will be controlled by itself.”

—James Madison, The Federalist No. 51, 1788

• popular sovereignty

• federalism

• checks and balances

• judicial review

What idea embodied in the Constitution is demonstrated by how California and Wyoming are represented in Congress?

• The bicameral legislature determines that large states have a cap on how many representatives they can have in both houses of Congress.

• The bicameral legislature creates equal representation in the Senate, but population-based representation in the House.

• The almost populous states have the most power in both houses of Congress.

• Representation in both houses of Congress is the same for all states, large and small.

The diagram shows some of the ways the Executive Branch can limit the power of the other branches.

What is another way in which the Executive Branch can check the Legislative Branch that is missing from the diagram?

• vetoing a bill

• impeaching judges

• approving treaties

• declaring acts of Congress unconstitutional

Which of the following statements best expresses the argument Alexander Hamilton is making in the quote below?

“Laws are a dead letter without courts to expound and define their true meaning and operation.”

—Alexander Hamilton, The Federalist No. 22, 1788

• The government needs courts to explain and interpret laws.

• Laws are of little use because Congress does not understand what they mean.

• It is the responsibility of the courts to create laws for the good of the republic.

• Congress needs to carefully interpret the laws it passes to make them easily understood.

The best way to understand the expressed powers of Congress is to

• study the ways Congress has exercised its powers.

• study statements made by the executive branch.

• read a description of the powers in the Constitution.

• read Supreme Court decisions that interpret expressed powers.

The Virginia Plan suggested that Congress assign the number of representatives based on

• land size

• income

• population

• equal representation