C963 American Politics-WGU Test Questions with Correct Solutions Graded A+

Which concept is an Enlightenment idea that influenced the leaders of the American Revolution? - Social Contract How does the Bill of Rights reflect the influence of the Enlightenment ideas on the Constitution? - The Bill of Rights explicitly listed individual freedoms What was a major problem with the Articles of Confederation? - The national government did not have the power to impose taxes What describes Clause 3 of Article IV, Section 2 in the constitution? - Slave owners could reclaim their slaves in states where they had fled What describes the opposing views in the debates between the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists? - Federalists favored a strong central government while the Anti-Federalist favored strong state governments How do the branches of the government operate under the concept of checks and balances? - The branch of government must cooperate to to function, and each branch can restrict the other branches' powers What describes the general structure of the U.S. government under the Articles of Confederation? - It was an alliance of independent states under a limited central government Which major compromise was made at the Constitutional Convention? - The proportional representation of enslaved persons (3/5) What is an argument outlined in Federalist, no. 10? - The diverse interests of the people would prevent the development of powerful political parties What is a primary effect of the census on the functioning of Congress? - It is used to determine the number of House representatives for each state Which describes the purpose of Congressional appropriations committees? - They recommended how specific funds are allocated Which power is assigned to the House under the Constitution? - Originating congressional spending bills What is an example of checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches of government? - The Senate must confirm the President's Supreme Court nominee Which presidential power can be restricted by Congress? - Appointing cabinet members Which president was impeached by the House of Representatives? - Andrew Johnson for firing his secretary of war What is true about the U.S. court system? - It is a dual system with a federal court system and courts in each state Which type of power is a state's right to tax? - A concurrent power What is an example of a state exercising a concurrent power? - Issuing bonds to fund an infrastructure project How does apportionment influence the makeup of Congress? - It determines the allocation of seats in the House of Representatives based on the equal proportions method What is the general purpose of the president making recess appointments? - To fill cabinet vacancies while bypassing Senate approval What describes the Supreme Court's use of the judicial principal of stare decisis? - The Supreme Court's precedents are treated as established law What was the significance of the Supreme Court's ruling in McCulloch v. Maryland? - It established a loose constructionist view of the necessary and proper clause What is an example of a state exercising its reserve power? - Establishing laws to regulate businesses in the state Which statement describes characteristics of a social contract? - A collective expression of a collectively shared interest, A definition of human nature, A specification of natural right In what way is the state of nature important for constructing a social contract? - The state of nature gives definition to what it means to be human and gives definition to natural rights Why is it important to know what the quality of life is like in the state of nature? - It explains the incentive for working cooperatively with others and it helps to frame the type of social contract that is needed to make individual life better What is the purpose of a social contract? - To acknowledge and protect natural rights What is an important weakness of a social contract? - Social contracts require consensus Which statements are true about natural rights? - They let you do what you need to survive and be secure and they impart an equality of being among all people Which statements are true concerning the state of nature? - Is a thought experiment upon which a definition of proper society and government are built and permits a philosophical definition of human nature What conditions are required for a social contract to work? - Uniformity of ability and purpose among those who agree to the social contract and Consensus among those whom the social contract applies to Which of these describes the theory of the social contract? - Society is not natural, but created by the people. What are social contracts constructed to be compatible with? - Human Nature and Natural Rights Why were foreign governments reluctant to loan money to the United States during the time of the Articles of Confederation? - Since the national government lacked the ability to tax its citizens, foreign governments feared that the national government would not be able to repay the loans. What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation? - Congress could not enlist men for a national army. Why did the Articles of Confederation provide for such a weak national government? - The colonists/citizens of the United States were afraid of a strong central government. What was one reason why it was necessary to replace the Articles of Confederation? - The United States lacked the military forces to defend the new country. What powers did the national government have under the Articles of Confederation? - The power to settle disputes among different states, the power to declare war, the power to borrow and coin money Ultimately, why did the Articles of Confederation fail? - It harmed the international reputation of the United States, It weakened the economy of the United States, It weakened the powers of the national government too much. The power to draft soldiers under the Articles of Confederation required the national government to do which of the following? - Appoint senior officials and ask states to send troops anytime they wanted to engage in war. What debate did the Great Compromise settle so that the Constitutional Convention could continue? - The Great Compromise settled the debate between the large states and small states over state representation in the legislative branch. How do checks and balances keep the branches of government from abusing its power? - Checks and balances allow each branch of government the ability to restrict other branches of government. Checks and balances require the different branches of government to work together.