FRQ test

1. (1.1) Democratic ideals are reflected in the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution. Explain how by answering the questions below.

• Identify the natural rights discussed by Thomas Jefferson in the Declaration of Independence. 

 life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

1. Define social contract.

Social Contract: An agreement where people give up some freedoms so the government can protect their rights. If the government fails, the people can change or remove it.

1. Explain how the Declaration of Independence supports the idea of popular sovereignty. Support your explanation by citing at least two specific examples of popular sovereignty not being respected by the British government and also by stating the condition necessary, according to the document, for governments to be “just”/legitimate. 

The Declaration of Independence and Popular Sovereignty

• The Declaration says governments get power from the consent of the governed (Preamble).

• This supports popular sovereignty—the idea that people give government its power.

Examples of Britain ignoring popular sovereignty:

1. Taxation without representation – Colonists were taxed without having a say in Parliament.

2. Quartering Act – Colonists were forced to house soldiers, violating their rights and consent.

Condition for a just government:

• Must have the consent of the governed; if not, people can change or abolish it.

1. Constitution reflects democratic ideals through a variety of principles contained within it. Define each principle listed below and provide a specific example from the Constitution that demonstrates each.

1. Limited Government

• Gov. only has powers from the Constitution.

• Example:

  • 10th Amendment – Powers not given to federal gov. go to states/people.

2. Popular Sovereignty

• Power comes from the people.

• Example:

  • 17th Amendment – People directly elect senators.

3. Republicanism

• People elect reps to govern.

• Example:

  • Congress – People elect House members; each state has 2 Senators.

2. (1.4) The Constitution emerged from the debate about the weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation as a blueprint for limited government. The Constitution was an attempt to address problems of decentralization that were experienced under the Articles of Confederation. Explain four problems of decentralized power that existed under the Articles of Confederation. For each problem that you explain, identify one solution that the Constitution provided and the article of the constitution where the solution was addressed.

No power to tax

• Problem: National government couldn’t collect taxes → no money for army or government functions

• Solution:

  • Article 1, Section 8: Congress can tax people directly to raise revenue

2. No executive branch

• Problem: No president → laws hard to enforce

• Solution:

  • Article 2: Creates the President with powers like Commander-in-Chief, treaty-making, appointing officials

3. No power to regulate trade

• Problem: States taxed goods from other states → hurt trade

• Solution:

  • Article 1, Section 8 (Commerce Clause): Congress controls trade between states and foreign countries

4. Weak military power

• Problem: No power to fund or maintain a national army or navy

• Solution:

  • Article 1, Section 8: Congress can raise and fund a national army and navy, and call state militias

 3. (1.5) Political decision-making requires negotiation and compromise between various groups. Nonetheless, despite wise men engaging in these processes, none of the framers thought that they could foresee the future. Thus, they left a process by which to make future changes. Because of compromises and the ability to amend the Constitution, the document has endured for more than two centuries as the framework of government. Demonstrate your understanding of the compromises made at the Constitutional Convention and the amendment process by answering the following:

a. Explain four compromises made at the Constitutional Convention.

1. The Great Compromise

Combined the Virginia and New Jersey Plans.

Created a two-house Congress:

House of Representatives based on state population (favored large states)

Senate with equal representation for each state (favored small states)

2. Three-Fifths Compromise

Decided how slaves would count toward a state’s population.

Each slave counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxes.

3. Slave Trade Compromise

Allowed the slave trade to continue for 20 more years (until 1808).

After that, Congress could ban the importation of enslaved people.

4. Electoral College

Created a system for electing the president.

Electors from each state cast votes, balancing concerns over direct popular vote and congressional selection.

b. Identify the Constitutional article number that established the amendment process and Identify each of the formal methods for adding amendments to the Constitution (need 4 components).

1. ⅔ vote in both houses of Congress

2. National constitutional convention called by Congress when ⅔ of state legislatures request it

Two ways to ratify an amendment:

1. Approval by ¾ of state legislatures

2. Approval by ¾ of special state ratification conventions

article 5 establishes how to amend the Constitution.

4. The framers created a constitution that established a number of “fundamental principles”. Five of these are clearly laid out in the Constitution, while one is understood in the Federalist Papers, but not explicitly described in the constitution. List, define, and explain an example of each of the six of these fundamental principles.

Popular Sovereignty

• Definition: Government power comes from the people.

• Example: “We the People” starts the Constitution; members of Congress are elected by voters.

2. Limited Government

• Definition: Government only has powers granted by the Constitution and cannot take away certain rights.

• Example: Bill of Rights protects freedoms; 10th Amendment reserves powers to states/people.

3. Federalism

• Definition: Power is divided between national and state governments.

• Example: National government can declare war; states control education.

4. Judicial Review

• Definition: Courts can declare laws or actions unconstitutional.

• Example: Supreme Court case Marbury v. Madison established this power.

5. Separation of Powers

• Definition: Government powers are divided among three branches (legislative, executive, judicial).

• Example: Congress makes laws, President enforces them, Courts interpret them.

6. Checks and Balances

• Definition: Each branch can limit the powers of the others to prevent abuse.

• Example: President appoints judges; courts can declare acts unconstitutional; Congress can impeach.

5. In a democracy, the people rule. Not everyone agrees, though, as to who actually has or should have the most power in our government. Multiple theories have been introduced by political scientists to attempt to explain who really governs in our democracy. 

• Identify and define the three models of representative democracy.

The three models of representative democracy are participatory, pluralist, and elitist.

Participatory: Broad and direct participation of citizens, people are very involved in the making of policies. This type of democracy is much easier on a smaller or local level. 

Pluralist: Policy is influenced through groups of people who unite under common interests to form groups. 

Elitist: The wealthy and educated elites hold the power and there is very limited mass participation. All decisions are made by elected representatives in this type of democracy.

 a. Different aspects of the U.S. Constitution as well as the debate between Federalist 10 and Brutus 1 reflect the tension between these models. Develop an argument as to which model is most consistent with the desires of the framers. This argument should start with a defendable thesis (underline it) and include two pieces of support from any of the following sources: Brutus 1, Federalist 10, Federalist 51, and the U.S. Constitution (you should use two of the sources- one piece of evidence from each of the two that you select).

Thesis:

An elite system of government best reflects the desires of most framers.

Support 1: Electoral College and Senate Selection (U.S. Constitution)

• The Electoral College lets a small group choose the president, not a direct popular vote.

• Senators were originally chosen by state legislatures, not directly by the people, limiting direct mass influence.

Support 2: Indirect Representation (Federalist 10)

• Federalist 10 supports indirect representation where elected representatives make decisions, not a direct democracy.

• This protects against “tyranny of the majority” and was preferred by the framers over direct rule by the people.

6. When the Constitution was proposed in 1787, the Anti-Federalists opposed its ratification by the states. In response, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay led the Federalists‘ defense of the Constitution in The Federalists Papers.

• Referring to Brutus 1, explain three objections that the Anti-Federalists had to the Constitution (an explanation should identify the argument with a mention of the specific part of the Constitution being referred to and explain how part of the Constitution will be used in a way concerning to the Anti-Federalists)

Anti-Federalist Objections to the Constitution (Brutus 1)

1. Elastic Clause

• Concern: Gives Congress too much power to do “necessary and proper” things beyond its listed powers.

• Fear: Congress will stretch its powers and take control away from the states.

2. Taxing and Spending Power

• Concern: National government’s power to tax and spend for the “general welfare” is too broad.

• Fear: Government could take too much money from states, weakening state authority.

3. Supremacy Clause

• Concern: Federal laws are supreme over state laws.

• Fear: This would override state laws and take away states’ power.

 a. Referring to Federalist 10 and/or Federalist 51 explain how the Federalists responded to criticisms that the Constitution would create a national government that would be too powerful. Your response should include at least three arguments.

Federalist Response to Criticisms of a Too-Powerful Government

1. Control of Factions (Federalist 10)

• Large republic prevents any one faction from dominating.

• In a small republic, majority factions can oppress minorities, but a bigger republic dilutes this risk.

2. Checks and Balances & Separation of Powers (Federalist 51)

• Government power is divided among three branches: legislative, executive, judicial.

• Each branch checks the others to prevent abuse of power.

3. Double Security through Federalism (Federalist 51)

• Power is divided between national and state governments.

• This “double security” protects citizens’ rights by limiting power concentration.

7. (1.8) Since the time of our nation’s founding, controversy has raged about the balance of power between the national and state governments.  The framers established a federal system of government in which powers are divided between the state and national governments. This balance has been interpreted differently over time.

a. Identify and explain the Constitutional amendment most cited to limit the powers of the national government. 

Limiting National Government Power: The 10th Amendment

• The 10th Amendment says that powers not given to the federal government or forbidden to the states belong to the states or the people.

• This limits the federal government’s power and protects state authority under the system of federalism.

b. Identify the three portions of the Constitution most commonly used to permit the national government to exceed its enumerated powers and explain how each has been used to expand national powers beyond the enumerated powers. Cite one Supreme Court case per portion in your explanation of how it’s been used to expand national powers. 

3 Constitutional Clauses That Expand National Power

1. Elastic Clause (Necessary and Proper Clause)

• Case: McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

• Use: Allowed Congress to create a national bank as “necessary and proper” to manage finances and commerce, establishing implied powers beyond those explicitly listed.

2. Commerce Clause

• Case: Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

• Use: Expanded Congress’s power to regulate not just interstate trade but almost all commercial activity, even within a state.

3. Tax and Spend for the General Welfare Clause

• Case: South Dakota v. Dole (1987)

• Use: Allowed Congress to influence state policy (like raising drinking age) by attaching conditions to federal funding, broadening spending powers for general welfare.

c. Explain fiscal federalism and how it has impacted the relationship between states and the national government. 

Fiscal Federalism

• The national government gives grants (money) to states to influence state policies.

• States see grants as a way for the national government to gain more control over state issues.

• This has shifted power toward the national government, affecting areas traditionally managed by states.

d. Identify and explain the ruling in a Supreme Court case from the 1990s that returned power to the states.

 United States v. Lopez (1995)

• The Supreme Court ruled that the Gun-Free School Zones Act exceeded Congress’s power under the Commerce Clause.

• This was the first time in decades the Court limited Congress’s commerce power.

• The ruling returned power to the states by saying Congress cannot regulate non-economic activities (like guns near schools) even if they affect the economy indirectly.