Edexcel Politics Paper 3 USA Exam Questions & Answers % Graded A+ with Rationales

Edexcel Politics Paper 3 USA Exam Questions & Answers % Graded A+ with Rationales Bill of Rights - ANS-The first 10 amendments passed in 1791 Protects rights of individuals against the government Protects state power against federal government Amendments 1-3 - ANS-Freedom of religion, speech and press, rights of petition and assembly Keep and bear arms No forced quartering of troops Amendments 4-7 - ANS-No unreasonable searches or seizures Right to due process of law, no double jeopardy or self-incrimination Rights of the jury, speedy and public trial, witnesses in defense and attorney Right to trial by jury in a clear case Amendments 8-12 - ANS-No cruel or unusual punishments Other rights not included in constitution State rights and powers Suits against a state (1795) Election of president and vice president (1804) Amendments 13-16 - ANS-Abolition of slavery (1865) Protects rights against state infringements (defines citizenship, requires due process and equal protection, punishes states for denying votes) (1868) Voting rights (1870) Federal income tax (1913) Constitution timeline - ANS-1791: Bill of Rights 1870: amendments 13-15 ratified, 13th ended slavery, provided equal treatment to all citizens regardless of race (14th) and gave people the right to vote regardless of 'race, color or previous servitude' (15th) 1913: 16th amendment gives congress the right to levy federal income tax 1919: 18th amendment prohibits the manufacture/sale of alcohol Constitution timeline - ANS-1920: 19th amendment gave white women the right to vote 1933: 21st amendment repeals the 18th 1951: 22nd amendment limits the president to two terms in office 1967: 25th amendment allows the vice president to assume the office temporarily while a president is unable to fulfil their duties Affordable Care Act - ANS-Obama received a mandate for health care reform in 2008, yet was forced to abandon major aspects of his policy in light of opposition from congress, including democrats The elected house prevented an elected president from achieving his policies In 2014 republicans took control of the house and repealed health care, but it was vetoed by Obama Elections create democracy - ANS-Free and fair elections More elections = US citizens vote more than other countries 2 year house terms Elections do not create democracy - ANS-The electoral college is outdated and based on a reluctance to give power to the people Checks and Balances create democracy - ANS-Prevents one person / party / institution from holding all the power Can prevent corruption Ensure everyone's interests are considered Checks and balances do not create democracy - ANS-Democrats vote for democratic policies, republicans vote for republican policies 2012, voted for a democratic president who wanted comprehensive immigration reform but when in the house, the speaker blocked debates Rights Protection creates democracy - ANS-The bill of rights and 14th amendment give legal protection to Americans Protect certain powers the people have, giving them the ability to have influence over the government Rights protection does not create democracy - ANS-Shelby ruling has allowed states to created laws that undermine the opportunity for poor/minority voters to participate If voters choose to vote for politicians with dodgy policies (voter ID) then they should be allowed to carry them out Enumerated powers - ANS-set out clearly Implied powers - ANS-not expressly set down Courts powers - enumerated - ANS-Rule on cases arising under the constitution, the laws of the United States or treaties Courts powers - Implied - ANS-The power of judicial review Congress' powers - enumerated - ANS-Collection of taxes and duties Borrowing money on behalf of the United States Organizing, training and army a militia Exclusive powers to legislate matters of the country Establishing courts that are subordinate to the supreme court Declaration of war Amendment of the constitution (shared with the states) Raise income tax Congress' powers - implied - ANS-The interstate commerce clause The necessary and proper clause Necessary and proper clause - ANS-congress has the power to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into the execution of the foregoing powers Presidential powers - enumerated - ANS-Nominates cabinet members, ambassadors and the judiciary Heads the executive branch Vetoes legislation Grants pardons Proposes measures to congress Presidential powers - implied - ANS-Commander in chief of the armed forces Problems due to constitutional vagueness - Constitution could fail to regulate political practice - ANS-Vagueness can undermine constitution and supreme court authority as people reject newly established rulings or political practices Problems due to constitutional vagueness - The supreme court could become too powerful - ANS-Vagueness allows individual justices to apply their own ideologies when ruling on a case Unelected Problems due to constitutional vagueness - There could be significant conflict - ANS-Lack of clarity leads to strong disputes, with each side claiming to base their view is more legitimate, often based on ideologies, leads to further divides Amendment Proposal - ANS-Amendment is proposed by ⅔ vote of each house of congress Amendment is proposed by a national convention called by congress at the request of ⅔ of state legislators Ratification Process - ANS-Amendment is ratified by ¾ vote of the state legislators Amendment is ratified by ¾ of the state conventions Continues...