The two-party system that we know today developed from which political struggle?
(1 point)
Responses
interpretive powers of the Supreme Court
interpretive powers of the Supreme Court
selection of members of Congress
selection of members of Congress
establishment of a federal treasury
establishment of a federal treasury
ratification of the Constitution
ratification of the Constitution
Which of the following was the main conflict in the government in the years after the ratification of the Constitution?
(1 point)
Responses
Democrats vs. Republicans
Democrats vs. Republicans
national vs. state powers
national vs. state powers
domestic concerns vs. foreign relations
domestic concerns vs. foreign relations
legislative vs. judicial branch
national vs. state powers
Which modern political party emerged when the Whig party declined?
(1 point)
Responses
Democratic Party
Democratic Party
Democratic Socialist Party
Democratic Socialist Party
Federalist Party
Federalist Party
Republican Party
Republican Party
Which type of government was created in the Constitution?
(1 point)
Responses
confederate
confederate
federal
federal
monarchy
monarchy
unitary
federal
Each branch of government can limit the power of the other two branches through what process?
(1 point)
Responses
checks and balances
checks and balances
interpretation of laws
interpretation of laws
federalism
federalism
state’s rights
checks and balances
Which part of the Constitution sets out the reasons why the Constitution is necessary?
(1 point)
Responses
Article 1
Article 1
Article 7
Article 7
Bill of Rights
Bill of Rights
preamble
preamble
preamble
Which laws are made by members of Congress?
(1 point)
Responses
civil laws
civil laws
constitutional laws
constitutional laws
statutory laws
statutory laws
military laws
statutory laws
Which of the following is the one part of the Constitution that cannot be amended?
(1 point)
Responses
The Bill of Rights must always be intact.
The Bill of Rights must always be intact.
Each state must have an equal vote in the Senate.
Each state must have an equal vote in the Senate.
The president must be a natural-born citizen.
The president must be a natural-born citizen.
Senators must be at least 30 years old.
The Bill of Rights must always be intact.
Which of the following do we call a Supreme Court judge who uses his or her power to create new law?
(1 point)
Responses
judicial activist
judicial activist
legislative judge
legislative judge
strict constitutionalist
strict constitutionalist
loose constitutionalist
judicial activist
Describe the ways in which the Constitution can be amended. Explain why the Founders wanted to make it a difficult process but did not want to make the amendment process impossible.
The Constitution can be amended through a two-step process. First, an amendment must be proposed, which can be done in two ways:
1. By a two-thirds majority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
2. By a constitutional convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
Once an amendment is proposed, it must be ratified, or approved, by three-fourths of the states. This can be done through either:
1. Approval by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states.
2. Approval by special conventions called in three-fourths of the states.
The Founders designed this amendment process to be difficult but not impossible for several reasons. Firstly, they wanted to ensure that the Constitution could be changed or updated as the country evolved and faced new challenges. They recognized that they couldn't predict all future circumstances and that future generations may need to adjust the framework of government to meet their needs.
At the same time, the Founders wanted to make sure that any changes to the Constitution were carefully considered and agreed upon by a significant majority. They wanted to avoid hasty or frivolous amendments that could undermine the stability and integrity of the government. By requiring supermajorities for proposing and ratifying amendments, they aimed to ensure that amendments had broad support and were not merely the result of temporary fads or narrow interests.
In essence, the amendment process strikes a balance between allowing for necessary change and preserving the core principles and structure of the Constitution. It establishes a high bar for amending the Constitution, requiring widespread consensus, while still allowing for adjustments that reflect the evolving needs and values of the American people.