BYU Final Exam Questions & Answers
Which of the following was a significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation? - ✔✔They
did not empower the Congress to tax the states to raise money for the nation's army or nav
...
BYU Final Exam Questions & Answers
Which of the following was a significant weakness of the Articles of Confederation? - ✔✔They
did not empower the Congress to tax the states to raise money for the nation's army or navy or to
pay its war debts. Funds could only be "requested" from the states.
Help with #2 - ✔✔....
Which of the following is an important political tradition in the United States of America? -
✔✔Establishing the minimal level of government necessary to balance liberty and order.
What was the most significant reason Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Constitutional
Convention? - ✔✔Rhode Island saw little to gain from participating in a process they thought
would be dominated by the larger states.
How did the states govern themselves between the time the Declaration of Independence was
signed in 1776 and the ratification of the Constitution in 1789? The states... - ✔✔Bound
themselves together in a federation that facilitated some cooperation, but not nearly enough to
address the problems they faced individually and collectively.
Which of the following documents first guaranteed the rights of the people to a jury trial when
accused of a crime? - ✔✔The English Bill of Rights.
What did the New Jersey Plan do (in contrast to Madison's Virginia Plan)? - ✔✔Equal
representation for states in both the House and the Senate.
In establishing a new government under the Constitution, the Framers used ideas and innovations
from leaders and philosophers who came before them. They also included many of their own
new ideas. Which of the following was one of the most important new ideas the Framers
included in the Constitution? - ✔✔?????????
According to its direction from the Confederal Congress, what was the "sole and express
purpose" of the Constitutional Convention? - ✔✔Consider amendments revising the Articles of
Confederation
What did the Constitution establish with regard to slavery? - ✔✔Slaves could be "imported" for
twenty years after the Constitution was ratified, after which bringing new slaves into the country
would be illegal.
Why is Shays' Rebellion an important part of American political history? - ✔✔It highlighted the
weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.
... - ✔✔...
The phrase "in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic
Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the
Blessings of Liberty" appears in what document? - ✔✔The United States Constitution.
How many states were required to ratify the Constitution to make it a binding document for the
new nation? - ✔✔Nine of the thirteen states.
What was the first major (and controversial) decision of the delegates at the Constitutional
Convention - ✔✔?????
Which of the following most accurately summarizes the views of the Federalists and Antifederalists during the debates about ratifying the Constitution? - ✔✔The Anti-federalists favored
strong state governments while the Federalists favored a strong national government.
What are two ways to propose an amendment to the Constitution? - ✔✔By a two-thirds vote
from both houses of Congress or by a two-thirds vote from the state legislatures.
What are two major examples given in the text that demonstrate the Constitution's adaptability to
a changing world? - ✔✔The Constitution is vague enough that it does not need to be changed
constantly; when it does need to be changed, there is a working amendment process.
The United States Constitution has been amended twenty-seven times. Which of the following
statements best explains why the United States Constitution has been amended twenty-seven
times since it was ratified? - ✔✔?????
In Federalist No. 51, what did Madison argue that experience has taught? - ✔✔"Auxiliary
precautions" are essential to keep government in check.
Which of the following is a result of the Constitution being considered the supreme law of the
land? - ✔✔All laws passed by the Congress and state legislatures must be consistent with its
guidelines and principles.
How does the Constitution divide power between the three branches? - ✔✔Power is not
completely separated, allowing each branch to limit the other branches' exercise of power
According to the lesson, which of the following plays a large role in the success and staying
power of the United States Constitution? - ✔✔?????
Why is McCulloch v. Maryland a significant decision of the Supreme Court? - ✔✔The Court's
decision established that the Congress could pass laws that were "necessary and proper."
Historians and political scientists have identified what they call the "penumbra" of the
Constistution— areas that are unclear or vague and are, therefore, open to expansive
interpretation. Which of these is an example of such a "gray area" in the Constitution? - ✔✔The
"general welfare" clause in the Preamble.
There have been fewer than thirty amendments to the Constitution since it was ratified. Which of
the following is the most important factor that has limited the number of constitutional
amendments? - ✔✔The Constitution is flexible enough that many political changes can and have
been made without amending the Constitution.
How is the "rule of law" most powerfully manifested in the American political system? -
✔✔?????
Which of the following most accurately describes the American federal system as outlined in the
Constitution? - ✔✔?????
How has the principle of federalism promoted the protection of civil rights? The American
federal system... - ✔✔Provides both state and national governments with the ability to protect
citizens from abuses of power by the other.
What is the purpose of most of the amendments to the Constitution? - ✔✔To extend and protect
particular rights of individuals or groups of individuals.
What are two of the most important documents in American history? - ✔✔The Declaration of
Independence and the United States Constitution.
What is the primary purpose of government in the United States of America? - ✔✔Protect the
political and social rights of the people (i.e. life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)
Which of the following best describes the "state of nature" as the Framers understood it? - ✔✔In
the state of nature, there was no clear authority to establish order, so individual liberty, although
absolute, could not be fully enjoyed.
The United States of America has sometimes been called the "first new nation." What does this
mean? - ✔✔Unlike any other nation in the history of mankind, it was a nation established by the
people themselves and the government was accountable to them (the people).
Several important factors in the American colonies were undermining national unity before the
American Revolution commenced. Which of the following was one of these factors? - ✔✔A lack
of coordination and cooperation between the colonies in the negotiation of trade treaties with
Britain and other nations.
Why is James Madison honored as the "Father of the Constitution?" - ✔✔Madison wrote the
Virginia Plan, which became the foundation of debate at the Convention.
Which of the following most accurately describes James Madison's "Virginia Plan?" - ✔✔It was
based on the notion that the power and authority of the national government was derived directly
from people, not the states.
The Framers of the Constitution were well versed in political philosophy. Which of the following
phrases best describes the influence of philosophy on the Founders? - ✔✔While they frequently
engaged in philosophical debates, they were "thinking revolutionaries" who were determined to
apply philosophy in practical ways to the real problems they faced.
Which most accurately describes the nation's progress toward ratification of the Constitution at
the time George Washington was inaugurated as the first president? - ✔✔Only North Carolina
and Rhode Island had not yet ratified the Constitution
Which of the following most accurately describes the views of the participants in the debates
over the ratification of the Constitution? - ✔✔The Federalists argued that the nation desperately
needed a stronger national government
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