American Politics And The US Constitution -
C963 WGU Correct Answers 2022/2023
Natural rights Correct Answer: Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke Correct Answer: 17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings
and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.
State of Nature Correct Answer: Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of
government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.
Due Process Correct Answer: involves the government's obligation to treat all citizens fairly. Such a
requirement lessens the extent to which government power can be exercised over the individual,
making the power differential between the two more fair, and ensuring a general sense of political
equality
Social Contract Correct Answer: A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and
welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Correct Answer: One of the first individuals to contribute to the idea of
the social contract was a pre-Enlightenment English philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes Correct Answer: Hobbes argues that society is not something
natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement Correct Answer: the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the workers to
receive better treatment by
Constitution Correct Answer: A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs
and the fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights Correct Answer: The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence Correct Answer: the document recording the proclamation of the
second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great
Britain
Thomas Jefferson Correct Answer: Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) Correct Answer: which almost resulted in potential mob rule,
suggested there might be too much democracy at play, and that maybe individual liberty was going
too far
Articles of Confederation Correct Answer: A weak constitution that governed America during the
Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51 Correct Answer: Argues that separation of powers within the national government is
the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.
,First Amendment Correct Answer: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of
grievances.
Second Amendment Correct Answer: Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment Correct Answer: The government may not house soldiers in private homes without
consent of the owner
Forth Amendment Correct Answer: It protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search
and seizure.
Fifth Amendment Correct Answer: A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of
persons accused of crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and
punishment without due process of law.
Sixth Amendment Correct Answer: Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment Correct Answer: Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment Correct Answer: No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment Correct Answer: peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the
Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment Correct Answer: Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal
gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature Correct Answer: A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2).
Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The
Senate.
House of Representatives Correct Answer: the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different
number of representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan Correct Answer: Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan Correct Answer: Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention Correct Answer: Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the
thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United States.
unicameral legislature Correct Answer: One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise Correct Answer: Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a
person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated
by the 13th amendment)
,Checks and Balances Correct Answer: A system that allows each branch of government to limit the
powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
Separation of Powers Correct Answer: Constitutional division of powers among the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and
enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law
federal system Correct Answer: A government that divides the powers of government between the
national government and state or provincial governments
enumerated powers Correct Answer: The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.
reserved powers Correct Answer: Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists Correct Answer: Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and
John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill
of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists Correct Answer: Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states
were contemplating its adoption.
Ratification Correct Answer: Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution,
constitutional amendment, or treaty
Republic Correct Answer: A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
Habeas Corpus Correct Answer: Constitutional protection against unlawful imprisonment
Federalist Papers Correct Answer: A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John
Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.
Federalist No. 10 Correct Answer: An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty
is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by
the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.
Legislative Branch (Congress) Correct Answer: makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) Correct Answer: interprets the constitution and other laws, reviews
lower-court decisions
Executive Branch (President) Correct Answer: has the power to enforce the law
Executive Orders Correct Answer: Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the
federal bureaucracy.
checks on the executive branch Correct Answer: By Congress
Can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers
Must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote in the Senate
Control of funding activities of the executive branch
, Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate
Only Congress can declare war
House can impeach the president or vice president and the Senate can remove them by a two-thirds
vote
By Judiciary
Can overturn actions of the president with judicial review if the actions violate the Constitution
Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary
Checks on Congress Correct Answer: By President
Can veto legislation
Can use executive agreements
Can use executive orders
Negotiates treaties (not Congress)
By Judiciary
Can overturn acts of Congress as unconstitutional if they violate the law
Can influence laws by interpretation
Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary
Checks on Judiciary Correct Answer: By President
Nominates judges
Power of pardon
By Congress
Senate must approve judges and justices
Controls jurisdiction of the courts
Determines size of Supreme Court
House can impeach judges and Senate can remove them by two-thirds vote
federalist system Correct Answer: political powers are divided between national and state levels in an
effort to avoid concentrating control in the hands of one person
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Correct Answer: Proposed the 27th Amendment, calling for equal
rights for both sexes. Defeated in the House in 1972.
Fifteenth Amendment Correct Answer: The constitutional amendment adopted in 1870 to extend
suffrage to African Americans.
Nineteenth Amendment Correct Answer: The constitutional amendment adopted in 1920 that
guarantees women the right to vote.
Twenty-sixth Amendment Correct Answer: Changed the legal voting age from 21 to 18.
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Correct Answer: (1996) Defines marriage as man-woman. No state
is forced to recognize same-sex marriage
C963 WGU Correct Answers 2022/2023
Natural rights Correct Answer: Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke Correct Answer: 17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings
and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.
State of Nature Correct Answer: Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of
government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.
Due Process Correct Answer: involves the government's obligation to treat all citizens fairly. Such a
requirement lessens the extent to which government power can be exercised over the individual,
making the power differential between the two more fair, and ensuring a general sense of political
equality
Social Contract Correct Answer: A voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and
welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.
Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) Correct Answer: One of the first individuals to contribute to the idea of
the social contract was a pre-Enlightenment English philosopher
Leviathan (1651): Thomas Hobbes Correct Answer: Hobbes argues that society is not something
natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement Correct Answer: the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the workers to
receive better treatment by
Constitution Correct Answer: A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs
and the fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights Correct Answer: The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence Correct Answer: the document recording the proclamation of the
second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great
Britain
Thomas Jefferson Correct Answer: Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) Correct Answer: which almost resulted in potential mob rule,
suggested there might be too much democracy at play, and that maybe individual liberty was going
too far
Articles of Confederation Correct Answer: A weak constitution that governed America during the
Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51 Correct Answer: Argues that separation of powers within the national government is
the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.
,First Amendment Correct Answer: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press;
or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of
grievances.
Second Amendment Correct Answer: Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment Correct Answer: The government may not house soldiers in private homes without
consent of the owner
Forth Amendment Correct Answer: It protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search
and seizure.
Fifth Amendment Correct Answer: A constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of
persons accused of crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and
punishment without due process of law.
Sixth Amendment Correct Answer: Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment Correct Answer: Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
Eighth Amendment Correct Answer: No cruel and unusual punishment
Nineth Amendment Correct Answer: peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the
Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment Correct Answer: Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal
gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature Correct Answer: A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2).
Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The
Senate.
House of Representatives Correct Answer: the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different
number of representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan Correct Answer: Proposal to create a weak national government
Virginia Plan Correct Answer: Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention Correct Answer: Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the
thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United States.
unicameral legislature Correct Answer: One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise Correct Answer: Agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a
person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated
by the 13th amendment)
,Checks and Balances Correct Answer: A system that allows each branch of government to limit the
powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power
Separation of Powers Correct Answer: Constitutional division of powers among the legislative,
executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and
enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law
federal system Correct Answer: A government that divides the powers of government between the
national government and state or provincial governments
enumerated powers Correct Answer: The powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.
reserved powers Correct Answer: Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists Correct Answer: Supporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and
John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill
of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.
Anti-Federalists Correct Answer: Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states
were contemplating its adoption.
Ratification Correct Answer: Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution,
constitutional amendment, or treaty
Republic Correct Answer: A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting
Habeas Corpus Correct Answer: Constitutional protection against unlawful imprisonment
Federalist Papers Correct Answer: A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John
Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.
Federalist No. 10 Correct Answer: An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty
is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by
the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.
Legislative Branch (Congress) Correct Answer: makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) Correct Answer: interprets the constitution and other laws, reviews
lower-court decisions
Executive Branch (President) Correct Answer: has the power to enforce the law
Executive Orders Correct Answer: Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by the
federal bureaucracy.
checks on the executive branch Correct Answer: By Congress
Can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers
Must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote in the Senate
Control of funding activities of the executive branch
, Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate
Only Congress can declare war
House can impeach the president or vice president and the Senate can remove them by a two-thirds
vote
By Judiciary
Can overturn actions of the president with judicial review if the actions violate the Constitution
Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary
Checks on Congress Correct Answer: By President
Can veto legislation
Can use executive agreements
Can use executive orders
Negotiates treaties (not Congress)
By Judiciary
Can overturn acts of Congress as unconstitutional if they violate the law
Can influence laws by interpretation
Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary
Checks on Judiciary Correct Answer: By President
Nominates judges
Power of pardon
By Congress
Senate must approve judges and justices
Controls jurisdiction of the courts
Determines size of Supreme Court
House can impeach judges and Senate can remove them by two-thirds vote
federalist system Correct Answer: political powers are divided between national and state levels in an
effort to avoid concentrating control in the hands of one person
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) Correct Answer: Proposed the 27th Amendment, calling for equal
rights for both sexes. Defeated in the House in 1972.
Fifteenth Amendment Correct Answer: The constitutional amendment adopted in 1870 to extend
suffrage to African Americans.
Nineteenth Amendment Correct Answer: The constitutional amendment adopted in 1920 that
guarantees women the right to vote.
Twenty-sixth Amendment Correct Answer: Changed the legal voting age from 21 to 18.
Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) Correct Answer: (1996) Defines marriage as man-woman. No state
is forced to recognize same-sex marriage
