Understanding the Apportionment Process

The video explains the constitutional mandate for the U.S. census and its role in apportioning seats in the House of Representatives. It details the Method of Equal Proportions used since 1940 to ensure fair distribution of seats based on state populations. The process ensures equal representation as the population grows, reflecting the Founding Fathers' vision. Historical context highlights the evolution of representation from 1790 to 2000.

What is the primary purpose of apportionment as mentioned in the Constitution?

• To determine the number of states

• To allocate seats in the House of Representatives

• To establish the Supreme Court

• To divide seats in the Senate

Which method has Congress used since the 1940 Census for apportionment?

• The Method of Equal Proportions

• The Method of State Representation

• The Method of Direct Allocation

• The Method of Population Density

What is the first step in the apportionment process according to the video?

• Distributing seats equally

• Subtracting 50 from the total House seats

• Ranking states by population

• Calculating the total population

How does the apportionment machine determine which state receives the next seat?

• By re-ranking states based on a formula

• By alphabetical order

• By the largest land area

• By the number of cities

In 1790, approximately how many people did each House member represent?

• 100,000 people

• 647,000 people

• 34,000 people

• 500,000 people

What was the average number of people represented by each House member in 2000?

• 500,000 people

• 647,000 people

• 34,000 people

• 1,000,000 people

What has been the basis for the representative form of government since the first census?

• The weekly poll

• The monthly survey

• The decennial count

• The annual count

What does the apportionment process ensure as the country grows?

• Equal representation for all

• More seats for larger states

• Fewer seats for smaller states

• Increased taxes

How did the nation's founders transform the census according to the video?

• From a tool of empowerment to a tool of government

• From a tool of taxation to a tool of representation

• From a tool of government to a tool of empowerment

• From a tool of representation to a tool of taxation