AP U.S. Government Chapter 2

Unlock all answers in this set

Unlock answers
question
What were the major grievances of the colonists under British rule?
answer
• taxation without representation • direct representation
question
What were the major components of John Locke's political philosophy?
answer
• Limited Governments • Natural Rights • Consent of the Governed
question
What would of the American a government been like under the Articles of Confederation?
answer
• confederation of states with a powerless national government • one state = one vote • no executive branch • no judicial branch •congress would have no power to tax or regulate interstate commerce
question
Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
answer
There was no national government and it created economic turmoil
question
Describe the general philosophical views of the founding fathers on the following issues: Human Nature Political Conflict Objectives of Government Nature of Government
answer
Human Nature: self interested Political Conflict: leads to factions Objectives of Government: protect your property Nature of Government: sets power against power so that no one faction rises above
question
What were the three major equality issues at the Constitutional a convention? How were they resolved?
answer
• States Equally Represented (Connecticut Compromise) • Slavery (3/5 Compromise) • Equality of Voting (decided to leave those issues to the states)
question
What were the major economic problems addressed at the Constitutional Convention? How were they resolved?
answer
• paper money was basically worthless (coined our own money) • congress couldn't raise money (levy taxes, borrow money, pay debts)
question
Why did the founding fathers believe it was not necessary to address the individual rights issues specifically in the Constitution?
answer
Because they were already constructing a limited government, dispersing powers among the 3 branches, and various states were already doing a sufficient job at keeping individual rights
question
What is the responsibility of the Legislative Branch? (Congress)
answer
To create laws
question
What is the responsibility of the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)?
answer
To interpret laws
question
What is the responsibility of the Executive Branch (The President)?
answer
To enforce laws
question
What checks and balances does each branch have on each other?
answer
Legislative -> Judicial: - approves federal judges Judicial -> Legislative: - can declare laws unconstitutional Executive -> Legislative: - vetoes bills Legislative -> Executive: - impeachment - override veto Executive -> Judicial: - pardon power - power to appoint judges Judicial -> Executive: - declare acts as president unconstitutional
question
Define constitutional republic
answer
System based on consent of governed in which representatives exercise power
question
What were the federalist thoughts on civil liberties, power of the states, and the economy?
answer
Civil liberties: protected in our constitution already Power of the states: power to the government Economy; protect the elite by having the government protect it
question
What were the anti-federalist thoughts on civil liberties, power of the states, and the economy?
answer
Civil liberties: wanted the bill of rights Power of the states: power to the states Economy: having states protect it
question
Why did the anti-federalists believe the new constitution was a class-based document?
answer
Because they though it was intended to ensure that a particular economic elite controlled the public policies
question
What is an unwritten constitution?
answer
A constitution that is not embodied in a single document but based chiefly on the ideas and processes from the American Government
question
Describe the different ways in which a formal constitutional amendment might be adopted
answer
Proposal- 2/3 of each house of congress or by a national convention Ratification- legislatures of 3/4 of the states or by special state conventions (President has no formal role in amending)
question
Define and give an example of judicial interpretation (four ways constitution changes informally)
answer
Definition: power to determine whether acts of congress and the executive are in accord with the U.S. Constitution Ex: Marbury v. Madison
question
Define and give an example of the political practice (four ways constitution changes informally)
answer
Definition: stretching, shaping, and giving new meaning to politics Ex: electoral college and political parties
question
Define and give an example of technology (four ways constitution changes informally)
answer
Definition: the effect new technology has on our constitution Ex: questioning governmental policies (Internet) and atomic weapons
question
Define and give an example of the demands on policymakers (four ways constitution changes informally)
answer
Definition: the effect of the evolution of the United States and how the people want it to adapt or change Ex: war on terrorism and the Patriot Act
question
What were the five constitutional amendments that expanded the right to vote? (explain)
answer
• 15th - prohibited discrimination of race for determining voter eligibility • 19th - gave women the right to vote • 23rd - Washington D.C. residents can vote • 24th - cut poll taxes (discriminated the poor) • 26th - lowered the voting eligibility age to 18 years olf
question
In what ways does the constitution expand and diminish the scope of the government?
answer
Checks and balances- all groups can have their demands heard
Get an explanation on any task
Get unstuck with the help of our AI assistant in seconds
New