Heimler's History: Legitimacy of the Judicial Branch

How are federal judges in the United States primarily selected?

• Through popular election by citizens.

• By appointment from the President with Senate approval.

• By state governors based on legal experience.

• Through a lottery system among qualified lawyers.

What is the primary power of judicial review held by the Supreme Court?

• The power to veto presidential executive orders.

• The power to impeach federal officials.

• The power to rule on the constitutionality of laws.

• The power to propose new legislation.

What argument did Alexander Hamilton make in Federalist 78 regarding the judiciary?

• That the judiciary should be the most powerful branch of government.

• That lifetime appointments for judges would lead to tyranny.

• That the judiciary's structure, including life tenure, protects the liberty of the people.

• That the Supreme Court should have the power to make laws.

In the context of the Supreme Court, what does a "precedent" refer to?

• A formal request for a case to be heard by the Court.

• A previous court ruling that serves as a guide for future decisions.

• A legal document outlining the arguments of a case.

• The process of appointing a new justice to the Court.

What is the legal principle that encourages courts to adhere to previous rulings?

• Habeas Corpus

• Amicus Curiae

• Stare Decisis

• Ex Post Facto

Which landmark Supreme Court case overturned the precedent established in Plessy v. Ferguson, which had upheld racial segregation?

• Marbury v. Madison

• Roe v. Wade

• Brown v. Board of Education

• United States v. Nixon

What is the difference between loose constructionism and strict constructionism in interpreting the Constitution?

• Loose constructionism interprets the Constitution literally, while strict constructionism views it as an evolving document.

• Loose constructionism allows for broad interpretation, while strict constructionism adheres to the literal wording.

• Loose constructionism applies only to state laws, while strict constructionism applies to federal laws.

• Loose constructionism is favored by conservative judges, while strict constructionism is favored by liberal judges.

How do presidents typically influence the ideological makeup of the Supreme Court?

• By directly legislating new laws that align with their ideology.

• By appointing justices whose political ideologies align with their own.

• By campaigning for specific judicial outcomes in ongoing cases.

• By removing justices who do not share their political views.

Which of the following landmark cases were decided during the tenure of the Burger Court?

• Marbury v. Madison and McCulloch v. Maryland

• Plessy v. Ferguson and Dred Scott v. Sandford

• Roe v. Wade and United States v. Nixon

• Brown v. Board of Education and Miranda v. Arizona

Which of the following cases reflects the more conservative ideology of the Rehnquist Court?

• Expanding access to abortion rights.

• Restricting executive privilege.

• Restricting abortion rights and expanding gun ownership.

• Upholding racial segregation in public facilities.