American Government CLEP (The Constitution) Questions and Answers

What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation? - ANSWER-Congress did not have the direct power to tax or regulate foreign trade. Under the Articles of Confederation, what powers belonged to the states? - ANSWER-All powers not specifically delegated to Congress What type of legislature was established under the Articles of Confederation? - ANSWER-Unicameral (one-house) legislature When did the Articles of Confederation become effective? i.e. approved by all 13 states - ANSWER-March 1, 1781 What did the Second Continental Congress adopt on November 15, 1777? - ANSWER-Articles of Confederation True or False: Under the Articles of Confederation, war and peace, treaties, and the appropriation of funds required the approval of nine states. - ANSWER-True What was required to amend the Articles of Confederation? - ANSWER-a unanimous vote of the states True or False: Under the Articles of Confederation, states didn't have the right to impose duties on imports. - ANSWER-False; under the Articles states had the rights to impose their own duties on imports, which caused havoc with commerce from state to state. At the Annapolis Convention in September of 1786, what was a big revelation? - ANSWER-The need for a stronger national government. What event made the shortcoming of the Articles of Confederation clear? - ANSWER-The inability of Congress to deal with Shay's Rebellion (a revolt of debtor farmers in Western Massachusetts) When did Congress first hold a meeting "for the sole and express purpose of revising the Articles of Confederation?" - ANSWER-February 1787 What state did not participate in the Constitutional Convention? - ANSWER-Rhode Island How many delegates met in Philadelphia in May 1787 for the Constitutional Convention? - ANSWER-55 delegates Who proposed the Virginia Plan? - ANSWER-James Madison The Virginia Plan called for what type of legislature? - ANSWER-Bicameral (two-house) legislature empowered to make laws. Representation for the states under the Virginia Plan was based on what? - ANSWER-Based on population of the States Who chose the executive under the Virginia Plan and how many terms could they serve? - ANSWER-The legislature chose the executive and for one term. Who supported the New Jersey Plan? - ANSWER-The smaller states. What type of legislature did the New Jersey Plan call for? - ANSWER-One-house legislature Under the New Jersey Plan, what did Congress now have the power to do? - ANSWER-Raise revenue and regulate commerce True or False: Under the New Jersey Plan, a multi-person executive was elected by the legislature. - ANSWER-True What event provided that seats in the House of Representative would be apportioned according to the population of each state and in the Senate each state would have two senators? - ANSWER-The Great Compromise (aka the Connecticut Compromise) How did Congress resolve the issue of whether or not to count slaves as a part of the population? - ANSWER-Three-Fifths Compromise When was Congress allowed the power to prohibit slavery? - ANSWER-1808 What problem was the Electoral College a solution for? - ANSWER-How the president should be elected (by Congress or by the people) When was the Constitution approved? - ANSWER-September 17, 1787 What type of government did the Constitution establish? - ANSWER-Republican form of government What did the original draft of the Constitution not include? - ANSWER-The protection of basic civil liberties What are the three branches of government? - ANSWER-Legislative branch, executive branch, and the judicial branch. The division of the branches of government is known as what? - ANSWER-Separation of Powers The powers of one branch of government are limited by the powers given to another branch. This is known as what? - ANSWER-Checks and Balances What can override a president's veto? - ANSWER-2/3 vote of both houses What does the term "federalism" mean? - ANSWER-The division of power between the national government and the states. Which Senate power allows them to reject a Supreme Court appointee that was appointed by the President? - ANSWER-power of "advice and consent" Which Article is the longest article in the Constitution? - ANSWER-Article I What does Article I of the Constitution contain? - ANSWER-Describes the organization of Congress and lists its specific powers.