BYU IS: AP US Government and Politics - Final Exam Preparation
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The concept of limited government provided a direct challenge to which popular political theory from Medieval Europe?
The Divine Right of Kings
The Social Contract
The Magna Carta
Popular Sovereignty
The Divine Right of Kings
According to the theories of John Locke, what is the primary responsibility of good government?
To keep peace and order at all costs, even if it means taking away the liberty of the people
To define natural law and make sure the people understand it
To protect the natural rights to life, liberty, and property
To redistribute property so that all members of the community would have an equal share.
To protect the natural rights to life, liberty, and property
American democracy is best described as ________.
pluralist democracy
elite democracy
direct, or participatory, democracy
a combination of participatory, pluralist, and elite democracy
a combination of participatory, pluralist, and elite democracy
How did Hobbes and Locke differ in their view of the social contract?
Hobbes believed that the social contract should never be broken by rebellion or revolution; Locke believed that the people have the right to overthrow a government that does not protect natural rights.
Hobbes believed the social contract should preserve limited government; Locke believed that governments should not be limited.
There are no significant differences between Hobbes' view and Locke's view of the social contract.
Hobbes believed the social contract needed to be written, while Locke believed that it was implied.
Hobbes believed that the social contract should never be broken by rebellion or revolution; Locke believed that the people have the right to overthrow a government that does not protect natural rights.
According to the Declaration of Independence, what is the main purpose of government?
To decide which rights the people should have
To create equality among human beings
To punish criminals
To secure and protect natural rights
To secure and protect natural rights
What is the BEST explanation for Thomas Jefferson paraphrasing John Locke in the Declaration of Independence when describing the natural rights of man?
Jefferson was borrowing from Locke's writings to conceal his own lack of political insights.
Jefferson was trying to illustrate the weaknesses in the arguments of British philosophers like Locke.
Jefferson was trying to remind his readers about well-known theories of natural rights.
Jefferson knew that King George was a believer in Locke's philosophy.
Jefferson was trying to remind his readers about well-known theories of natural rights.
Which statement best explains the motives of American colonists for rebelling against the British in 1776?
The colonists felt their natural rights as British subjects were being threatened.
The colonists could not afford the high tax rates imposed by the British.
The colonists rejected the British idea of individual rights.
The colonists had come to reject the philosophies of John Locke.
The colonists felt their natural rights as British subjects were being threatened.
4.
Which statement best describes the purpose of the Constitution?
To create a government that would protect the natural rights of the people
To justify rebellion against Great Britain's government
To re-create the original constitutional system of Great Britain
To give the federal government as much power as possible over the lives of Americans
To create a government that would protect the natural rights of the people
The Articles of Confederation allowed the national government to ________.
draft Soldiers
raise taxes
create an army and declare war
regulate commerce
create an army and declare war
What did Shays' Rebellion reveal about the Articles of Confederation?
The people would not tolerate changes to the Articles of Confederation.
The people had never fully embraced the ideals of the Revolution.
The national army was too strong.
A stronger national government was needed to keep the peace.
A stronger national government was needed to keep the peace.
Under the Articles of Confederation, amendments had to be approved by ________.
the Supreme Court
the majority of the states
all of the states
two-thirds of the states
all of the states
How did the Articles of Confederation describe the relationship between the states?
"A single, consolidated union governed under one supreme law"
"A firm league of friendship"
"One nation, under God indivisible, with liberty and justice for all"
"A rivalry among equals"
"A firm league of friendship"
The Great Compromise solved the dispute between large and small states by allocating representation on the basis of ________.
population in the House and equal state representation in the Senate
population in both houses of Congress
equal representation of each state in both houses
population in the Senate and equal state representation in the House of Representatives
population in the House and equal state representation in the Senate
Why did the Southern States end up with extra influence in the federal government between the ratification of the Constitution and the Civil War?
The 3/5 Compromise gave the Southern states extra representation in Congress because 3/5 of the slave population was counted when allocating representatives.
The Northern states trusted the South to lead the nation because George Washington was form Virginia, a southern state.
The 3/5 Compromise guaranteed that the southern states would have more seats in Congress in exchange for ending the slave trade in 1808.
The South had a larger number of voting citizens.
The 3/5 Compromise gave the Southern states extra representation in Congress because 3/5 of the slave population was counted when allocating representatives.
3.
Each state would have had equal representation in the national legislature under the ________.
Georgia Plan
Maryland Plan
New Jersey Plan
Virginia Plan
New Jersey Plan
While the framers of the Constitution believed in democratic principles, they did not want to put too much power directly in the hands of the people. Which of the following facts about the Constitution best supports that assertion?
All tax bills must originate in the House of Representatives.
The President is selected by the Electoral College rather than by the popular vote.
Members of the House of Representatives were nominated by the people but elected by the state legislators.
Senators were directly elected by the people of each state.
The President is selected by the Electoral College rather than by the popular vote.
The debate over the USA PATRIOT Act represents ________.
the tension between federal power and state power
the tension between national security and individual rights
the need for a stronger central government
the tension between northern and southern states
the tension between national security and individual rights
Which of the following was NOT a major concern of Anti-Federalists?
The state governments were seen as weak and often controlled by factions.
The Supremacy Clause in the Constitution made Federal Law the supreme law of the land.
The Necessary and Proper Clause gave Congress too much power to influence people's lives.
There was not Bill of Rights to protect individual rights.
The state governments were seen as weak and often controlled by factions.
What was the primary goal of the Federalist papers?
to speak out against factions having too much influence in the government
to persuade state leaders to send delegates to a Convention to revise the Articles of Confederation
to persuade Americans to support ratification of the Constitution
to oppose ratification of the Constitution
to persuade Americans to support ratification of the Constitution
Which of the following statements about factions would Madison most likely disagree with?
They might come to dominate government in one area.
They might come to dominate one part of government.
They would seek their own advantage.
A large federal republic would provide opportunities for factions to gain excess power.
A large federal republic would provide opportunities for factions to gain excess power.
When Jeff Sessions was appointed attorney general, why did he resign his Senate seat?
His party no longer held the majority in the Senate, so he no longer held a leadership position in the Senate.
The Governor of Alabama asked him to resign
He lost the election for his Senate seat.
The Constitution prohibits members of Congress from holding positions in the executive branch.
The Constitution prohibits members of Congress from holding positions in the executive branch.
Which of the following is NOT a check Congress has on the president?
The Senate must ratify all treaties.
Congress can override the president's veto of a bill.
Congress can remove the president from office.
Members of the Senate must be present for all negotiations with foreign nations.
Members of the Senate must be present for all negotiations with foreign nations.
What is the primary means the judicial branch has for checking the power of the other two branches?
The Supreme Court can order the president or members of Congress to appear for criminal trials.
The Supreme Court can overturn acts of Congress or Executive orders by declaring them unconstitutional.
The Supreme Court oversees all federal elections.
A panel of federal judges presides over impeachment trials for the president and Congressional leaders.
The Supreme Court can overturn acts of Congress or Executive orders by declaring them unconstitutional.
Originally, the theory of separation of powers was intended to limit the power of ________.
the entire government
the legislative branch
the executive branch
the judicial branch
the executive branch
Which of the following presidents was NOT impeached by the House of Representatives?
Andrew Johnson
Richard Nixon
Bill Clinton
All three presidents were impeached
Richard Nixon
The system of separation of powers requires that ________.
the three branches of government learn to work together, cooperate, and compromise
Congress and the White House be controlled by the same party
the three branches of government refrain from communicating with each other
the Supreme Court must sign off on every action of the president and of Congress
the three branches of government learn to work together, cooperate, and compromise
According to the Constitution, for what causes can a president be impeached?
Congress can impeach the president when they feel the person is no longer fit to serve.
for issuing unconstitutional executive orders
treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors
for refusing to compromise with Congress on budget measures
treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors
If an individual feels she has been unjustly treated by the federal government, and Congress or the Executive branch fails to help her, where is the next best place for her to turn for help?
the Senator from her state
the state or local government agencies
If the Executive and Legislative branches are agreed, she has no other recourse.
she can turn to the federal court system
she can turn to the federal court system
Why did the Obama administration agree to compromise on the Affordable Care Act?
The Obama administration did not compromise; the law passed just as Obama proposed it.
Republicans in Congress refused to agree to a public option for health insurance.
State governments refused to agree to the expansion of Medicaid.
The Supreme Court declared the original law unconstitutional.
Republicans in Congress refused to agree to a public option for health insurance.
How did state governments express their disapproval of the Affordable Care Act?
They refused to allow insurance exchanges to be set up in their states.
They recalled Senators who had voted for the law.
They sued the federal government over the individual mandate
They passed laws that nullified the Affordable Care Act in their states.
They sued the federal government over the individual mandate
Which of the following statements best reflects the influence of separation of powers on the federal budget process?
Ultimately, the leaders of executive departments get to spend whatever they want.
Members of both the House and the Senate must approve of the federal budget.
Disputes over the budget between Congress and the president are settled by the Supreme Court.
The president proposes a budget, but actual funds are appropriated by Congress.
The president proposes a budget, but actual funds are appropriated by Congress.
The federal budget process is initiated when ________.
state governments submit budget proposals to the federal government
the House and the Senate each pass budget resolutions
Congressional leaders meet to discuss budget priorities
the president submits a proposed budget to Congress
the president submits a proposed budget to Congress
Concurrent powers are ________.
held by both state and federal governments
shared between state governments
exercised cooperatively between state and federal governments
shared by more than one branch of the federal government
held by both state and federal governments
Which Constitutional amendment protects the balance of power between the federal and state governments?
1st
10th
14th
9th
10th
An "implied" power is best described as ________.
a power that only the federal government has, that is kept from the states
a power that is specifically given to the federal government in the Constitution
a power that is reserved to the states, which the federal government may not encroach on
Correct
a power that logically comes from specific powers given to the federal government
a power that logically comes from specific powers given to the federal government
Which of the following is an exclusive power?
establishing courts
collecting taxes
constructing roads and highways
negotiating treaties
negotiating treaties
Categorical grants are funds given to states to ________.
spend for clearly specified programs
spend however they see fit
spend on education for low-income students
give to local governments for programs of their choice
spend for clearly specified programs
The Supreme Court strengthened federal power with the Gibbons v. Ogden decision by ________.
guaranteeing that rights not given the federal government would be reserved to the states
ruling that when federal and state law conflict, federal law would be supreme
establishing the principle of judicial review over both federal and state laws
putting significant limits on the Commerce Clause
ruling that when federal and state law conflict, federal law would be supreme
When power is intentionally returned from the federal government to state governments, this is an example of ________.
the Supremacy Clause
devolution
evolution
the Commerce Clause
devolution
What was the major question about federalism was addressed by the Supreme Court case McCulloch v. Maryland?
Does the federal government have the authority to raise taxes on imports?
Do state governments have the authority to nullify federal laws?
Do state governments have the authority to tax federal agencies within their boundaries?
Do the rights guaranteed by the Bill of Rights apply to the states?
Do state governments have the authority to tax federal agencies within their boundaries?
How did the Magna Carta impact politics in England?
It introduced the idea of limited government to English politics.
It was the first time a king voluntarily limited his own power.
It consolidated the king's power and reinforced the idea of the Divine Right of Kings.
It increased the influence of the Catholic Church in England.
It introduced the idea of limited government to English politics.
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of the Constitution?
to provide for the common defense
to secure the blessings of liberty for posterity
to define the reasons for which a people may rebel against their government
to promote the general welfare
to define the reasons for which a people may rebel against their government
In the Declaration of Independence, the grievances listed against the British government can be best summarized by which statement?
They have created social inequality among the colonists.
They have infringed on the political liberties of American colonists.
They have permanently damaged the American economy.
They have given the military too much power over the colonists.
They have infringed on the political liberties of American colonists.
What did Noah Webster most likely mean when he said "our pretended union is but a name, and our confederation, a cobweb"?
He felt the new government had outlived its usefulness and it was time to return to the British Empire.
He believed that the American states ought to go their separate ways and be thirteen separate, independent countries.
He believed that the thirteen states were too independent and needed a stronger government to unify them.
He believed people had forgotten the original intent of the authors of the Articles of Confederation.
He believed that the thirteen states were too independent and needed a stronger government to unify them.
The Scientific Revolution had an indirect influence on political theory in the 1700s and 1800s because ________.
advances from the Scientific Revolution allowed political ideas to spread more rapidly
scientific discoveries about the mind led many to question the idea that all people are created equal
people used scientific principles to reinforce traditional ideas about government and politics
people began to believe that the natural laws that govern the universe also govern human nature and behavior
people began to believe that the natural laws that govern the universe also govern human nature and behavior
The Federalist Papers were written by ________.
Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry
Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
Benjamin Franklin and George Washington
George Washington
Hamilton, Madison, and Jay
In which of the following scenarios would John Locke LEAST likely support rebellion against the government?
The government raises taxes on a group of people without allowing them any representation in the government.
The government begins using weapons of mass destruction on its own people.
The government consistently imprisons people who are innocent of any crime, without giving them a trial.
The government invades a neighboring country to gain greater access to natural resources.
The government invades a neighboring country to gain greater access to natural resources.
The Anti-Federalists made it clear that the Constitution would not be ratified without at least the promise of ________.
a stronger federal court system
the abolition of slavery
a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties
female suffrage
a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties
What did Jefferson mean by "unalienable rights" when he wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Rights given by nature or by Providence.
Rights accepted by social custom and tradition.
Rights established by legal precedent.
Rights given by governments and spelled out in written Constitutions.
Rights given by nature or by Providence.
Why was compromise such an important part of the Constitutional Convention?
Each state had its own interests to worry about, and there was not yet a strong sense of national unity.
While each state was willing to sacrifice for the greater good, they had trouble deciding which sacrifices of state power would be most helpful.
Virginia dominated the Convention; there was actually very little compromise.
The delegates from Virginia originally threatened to leave the convention if major changes were made to the Articles of Confederation, so the changes needed to be made slowly, with lots of compromises.
Each state had its own interests to worry about, and there was not yet a strong sense of national unity.
According to the Constitution, who holds the ultimate power in American government?
The Judicial branch, because they interpret the laws.
The people, because they determine whether elected officials will remain in office.
The President, because he or she chooses how to enforce laws.
The Congress, because they make the laws.
The people, because they determine whether elected officials will remain in office.
Which of the following is likely the BEST explanation for why the Articles of Confederation made the national government so weak?
Those who wrote it were not familiar enough with political theory to create a strong government.
The states fought so much among themselves they could not agree on a real government.
They tried to create a stronger central government, but the larger states opposed it.
The members of the Continental Congress feared giving too much power to a central government.
The members of the Continental Congress feared giving too much power to a central government.
Which of the following is true of the Federalist Papers?
They were written at the Constitutional Convention to outline the debates there in a neutral way.
They were articles published in various newspapers supporting ratification of the Constitution.
They were composed before the Constitutional Convention.
They were adopted as a substitute for the Bill of Rights.
They were articles published in various newspapers supporting ratification of the Constitution.
What decision was reached about the slave trade in the United States at the Constitutional Convention?
Slavery was banned throughout the United States.
Slavery would continue in the United States until 1865.
Importing slaves from outside the United States would end in 1808.
Slavery would remain legal throughout the nation.
Importing slaves from outside the United States would end in 1808.
Why did supporters of the Articles of Confederation fear creating anything stronger?
They wanted the American government to be modeled as closely as possible on the British model of government.
They were afraid a stronger government would be a threat to neighboring nations and cause war.
They felt that freedom was best preserved in a small republic rather than a large nation.
They wanted to see America taken over by either France or Spain.
They felt that freedom was best preserved in a small republic rather than a large nation.
Which of the following is an example of the expanding role of the federal government?
the creation of boards of education at the state level
the creation of a Bill of Rights to appease Anti-Federalists
the passage of the ninth and tenth amendments
the creation of the federal department of Education
the creation of the federal department of Education
Why was Congress powerless to deal with the growing national debt under the Articles of Confederation?
The nation's creditors refused to renegotiate the terms of the nation's loans.
Congress raised taxes, the people responded with rebellion, as in the case of Daniel Shays.
Congress had no power to raise taxes under the Articles.
The states could not come to a unanimous decision on a tax rate
Congress had no power to raise taxes under the Articles.
What was the effect of the 3/5 Compromise?
It ensured that small states would have at least 3/5 the representation of large states.
It counted 3/5 of all slaves in each state for the purposes of direct taxation and representation, and enshrined the idea of slavery into the original U.S. Constitution.
It stipulated that the number of slaves in the United States would be reduced by 3/5 each year, until slavery would be abolished in 1808.
It caused the Southern states to boycott the Convention; they only returned when it was dropped.
It counted 3/5 of all slaves in each state for the purposes of direct taxation and representation, and enshrined the idea of slavery into the original U.S. Constitution.
The Virginia plan would have had what effect on Congress, and the Federal Government as a whole?
It would have made no significant changes to the Articles of Confederation.
It would have given equal representation to each state in Congress.
It would have strengthened state governments.
It would have based representation on population and strengthened the federal government.
It would have based representation on population and strengthened the federal government.
According to the theory of popular sovereignty, in order for a government to have legitimate power, it must be supported by ________.
written laws that limit government power
the Church or other religious authority
natural law
the people
the people
Why might Congressional leaders want to work closely with the president on important pieces of legislation?
Congressional leaders do not want to pass legislation that the president cannot or will not sign.
Generally, the president is more in touch with the will of the people.
Congress actually avoids working with the president in order to preserve the separation of powers.
The president usually has more experience as a legislator than members of Congress.
Congressional leaders do not want to pass legislation that the president cannot or will not sign.
How did the 14th Amendment re-shape American federalism?
It introduced categorical grants, which allowed Congress to control how money was spent by states.
It required state governments to abide by the federal Bill of Rights.
It made the Constitution the supreme law of the land.
It gave more power to state governments in the enforcement of civil rights laws.
It required state governments to abide by the federal Bill of Rights.
What was the purpose of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974?
It completely removed the president from the budget process.
It required a balanced budget each fiscal year.
It ensures that both the president and Congress would be involved in the budget process.
It removed Congressional influence from the budget process.
It ensures that both the president and Congress would be involved in the budget process.
What limit did the Supreme Court put on the use of the Commerce Clause in U.S. v. Lopez?
Legislation under the Commerce Clause must relate to an actual economic activity
Legislation under the Commerce Clause must relate to products that crossed state lines at some point in their sale or manufacture.
The Commerce Clause could only be used to regulate international trade.
Legislation under the Commerce Clause had to involve at least nine states to count as "interstate commerce".
Legislation under the Commerce Clause must relate to an actual economic activity
Which of the following would reduce the separation of powers as outlined in the Constitution?
Reduce the term of office for House members from four years to two years.
Forbid the president to appoint members of Congress to serve in the cabinet.
Allow the president to serve two consecutive terms in office.
Allow either Congress or the president to call for special elections.
Allow either Congress or the president to call for special elections.
In which Supreme Court decision did the court establish the supremacy of the federal government over state governments?
U.S. v. Lopez
U.S. v. Nixon
McCulloch v. Maryland
Marbury v. Madison
McCulloch v. Maryland
Which of the following statements accurately describes the way in which Congress and the president share power over the military?
The president can declare war, but Congress must provide funding for the war.
Congress must approve individual military actions, but the president develops the overall strategy.
Congress declares war, but the president is Commander-in-Chief of the military.
As Commander-in-Chief, the president actually has total control of the military.
Congress declares war, but the president is Commander-in-Chief of the military.
Who presides over the trial after the president has been impeached?
the vice president
the Senate
the House Ethics Committee
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court
What final hurdle did the Affordable Care Act have to overcome after passing through Congress and being signed by President Obama?
It had to be approved by American voters in a national referendum.
It had to be passed by 3/4 of state legislatures.
It had to return to Congress for a second vote.
It faced a lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court.
It faced a lawsuit that went all the way to the Supreme Court.
Which of the following was a strategy used by Reagan to reshape the balance between state and federal power?
Reinterpreting the Commerce Clause to justify nearly any federal action.
Introducing a welfare reform program that increased federal funding for needy families.
Introducing programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security, which would be funded by the federal government but administered by the states.
Converting categorical grants into block grants, giving states more freedom in spending federal funds.
Converting categorical grants into block grants, giving states more freedom in spending federal funds.
According to Alexander Hamilton, how would federalism help protect the rights of the people?
If one level of government abridged the people's rights, they could turn to the other for redress.
State governments would be required to protect all the rights listed in the Bill of Rights.
Federalism does not actually protect people's rights, but further limits them.
All laws would have to be approved by both state and federal levels of government.
If one level of government abridged the people's rights, they could turn to the other for redress.
What happens if the president and Congress cannot agree on a budget by the pre-set deadline?
The president's proposal is accepted as a temporary budget.
The Supreme Court acts and an arbitrator between the president and Congressional leaders.
The federal government shuts down until a compromise is reached.
A special election is held to elect a new Congress.
The federal government shuts down until a compromise is reached.
Which branch of the Government is usually most accessible to the average citizen?
The legislative branch because members of Congress are always concerned about individual constituents.
The judicial branch, because each citizen has a legally protected right to be heard in court.
The three branches are equally accessible.
The executive branch, because the president usually wants to connect to the common people.
The judicial branch, because each citizen has a legally protected right to be heard in court.
Which of the following is a concurrent power?
conducting foreign policy
levying taxes
granting licenses
coining money
levying taxes
What powers are protected from the federal government by the 10th Amendment?
reserved powers
concurrent powers
exclusive powers
implied powers
reserved powers
Which of the following is a check on the president's power to conduct foreign policy?
The president can only officially recognize a foreign government with the approval of Congress.
Treaties must be ratified by the Senate.
The president can only meet with foreign leaders if a member of the Senate is present.
Treaties must be ratified by the state governments
Treaties must be ratified by the Senate.
How did Richard Nixon avoid impeachment?
Richard Nixon did not avoid impeachment; he was impeached but not removed from office.
His vice-president, Gerald Ford, took the blame and was removed from office.
He resigned before the House of Representatives had a chance to vote on impeachment.
He filed a lawsuit to exclude certain evidence from impeachment proceedings.
He resigned before the House of Representatives had a chance to vote on impeachment.
What is the main check the president has on the Judicial Branch?
The president has the power to appoint federal judges.
The president can choose to sit in on Supreme Court deliberations.
The president can fire a federal judge over policy differences.
The president can veto unpopular Supreme Court decisions.
The president has the power to appoint federal judges.
The "Elastic Clause" in the Constitution was put in place to ________.
expand the power of the president
allow Congress to carry out implied powers
allow Congress to increase the size of the Supreme Court
limit the power of Congress
allow Congress to carry out implied powers
How does the principle of separation of powers help individuals or groups who go to the government for redress of grievances?
There are multiple access points in the policy making process.
The different branches of government generally cooperate in order to gain public support.
Separation of powers does not help those who seek redress of grievances, because all three branches would have to agree to a policy change anyway.
Individuals only have to visit one government branch rather than all three.
There are multiple access points in the policy making process.