Copy of AMSCO Chapter 2 (1.4, 1.5, 1.6)

All of the following were concerns about the Articles of Confederation that led to the calling of the Constitutional Convention of 1787 EXCEPT

• A

  dissatisfaction over safeguards of individual rights and liberties

• B

  fear for the stability of the central government

• C

  desire to promote trade among the states

• D

  the need to give the central government the power to levy taxes

• E

  dissatisfaction with the central government’s ability to provide for national defense

Constitutional checks and balances, especially applied to the president, are designed to

• A

  provide for a balanced budget

• B

  minimize the threat of tyranny from any one branch of government

• C

  ensure that the states do not become too powerful

• D

  ensure efficient government

• E

  ensure that the federal government is militarily strong

The Connecticut (Great) Compromise provided for

• A

  all revenue bills to originate in the Senate

• B

  all judicial appointments to be nominated by the president

• C

  the elimination of the importation of slaves

• D

  an electoral college and rules for the removal of the president

• E

  a bicameral legislature with one house’s composition based upon state population and another’s on equal state representation

Under the Articles of Confederation, which of the following were true?
I. Congress could not tax the states directly.
II. The executive branch of government exercised more power than Congress.
III. Congress was a unicameral body.
IV. States were represented in Congress proportionally according to population.

• A

  I and II

• B

  I and III

• C

  I and IV

• D

  II and III

• E

  II and IV

In the Constitution as originally ratified in 1788, the provisions regarding which of the following most closely approximate popular, majoritarian democracy?

• A

  Election of members of the House of Representatives

• B

  Election of members of the Senate

• C

  Election of the President

• D

  Ratification of treaties

• E

  Confirmation of presidential appointments

Which of the following is an example of checks and balances in action in the United States government?

• A

  The House and Senate cannot agree on the same version of a bill to send to the president.

• B

  The president issues an executive order that freezes federal government hiring.

• C

  The president vetoes a bill passed by Congress.

• D

  The voters reject the status quo and elect all new members of Congress.

• E

  The voters at the state level elect a governor from a party other than the president’s.

Which of the following was the most important effect of replacing the Articles of Confederation with the Constitution of 1787?

• A

  The protection of free speech

• B

  The guarantee of states’ rights

• C

  The establishment of direct democracy

• D

  The creation of a strong national government

• E

  The establishment of judicial review

As originally ratified, the United States Constitution included provisions designed to

• A

  limit the importation of foreign manufactured goods

• B

  increase the economic importance of the agrarian sector relative to that of the manufacturing sector

• C

  increase the economic powers of the central government

• D

  expand the states' powers to regulate their own commerce with foreign countries

• E

  guarantee the states a greater role in economic policy-making

Of the following, the most significant difference between the Constitution of 1787 and the Articles of Confederation was that the Constitution

• A

  made states sovereign over the national government, while the Articles were based on national sovereignty

• B

  was difficult to amend, while the Articles included an easier process requiring approval by a simple majority of states

• C

  provided for a presidential system of government, while the Articles provided for a parliamentary system of government

• D

  created a dominant national executive, while the Articles established a dominant national legislature

• E

  provided for a strong national government with many powers, while the Articles created a weak central government with few independent powers

The term “bicameralism” refers to the

• A

  establishment of two legislative chambers that have different structures and rules

• B

  members of the House of Representatives having two-year terms

• C

  president having veto power over both chambers of Congress

• D

  members of the House and Senate having to appease their mutual constituencies

• E

  checks that Congress has over the federal bureau