AMERICAN POLITICS AND THE US CONSTITUTION -
C963 WGU. COMPLETE 2025/2026 ACTUAL EXAM
UPDATE GRADED A+.
natural rights - CORRECT ANS: -Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of
government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.
Due Process - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -Hobbes argues that society is not
something natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement - CORRECT ANS: -the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the
workers to receive better treatment by
Constitution - CORRECT ANS: -A document which spells out the principles by which a
government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights - ANSWER The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -A weak constitution that governed America during the
Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51 - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -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 - ANSWER Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -The government may not house soldiers in private homes
without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -It protects people against unfair searches of their
homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -Right to a trial by jury in civil
cases Eighth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -No cruel and unusual
punishment
Nineth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the
Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to
the federal gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different
number of representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan - ANSWER Proposal to create a weak national government
,Virginia Plan - ANSWER Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention - CORRECT ANS: -Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of
the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United States.
unicameral legislature - CORRECT ANS: -One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -A government that divides the powers of government between
the national government and state or provincial governments
enumerated powers - CORRECT ANS: -The powers explicitly given to Congress in the
Constitution. reserved powers - CORRECT ANS: -Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when
the states were contemplating its adoption.
Ratification - CORRECT ANS: -Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution,
constitutional amendment, or treaty
Republic - CORRECT ANS: -A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by
voting Habeas Corpus - CORRECT ANS: -Constitutional protection against unlawful
imprisonment
Federalist Papers - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) - CORRECT ANS: -interprets the constitution and other laws,
reviews lower-court decisions
Executive Branch (President) - ANSWER has the power to enforce the law
Executive Orders - CORRECT ANS: -Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by
the federal bureaucracy.
checks on the executive branch - 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 ANS: -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 ANS: -By President
Nominates judges
Power of pardon
C963 WGU. COMPLETE 2025/2026 ACTUAL EXAM
UPDATE GRADED A+.
natural rights - CORRECT ANS: -Life, Liberty, and Property
John Locke - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -Hypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of
government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.
Due Process - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -Hobbes argues that society is not
something natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.
Labor Movement - CORRECT ANS: -the formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the
workers to receive better treatment by
Constitution - CORRECT ANS: -A document which spells out the principles by which a
government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society
Bill of Rights - ANSWER The first ten amendments to the Constitution
Declaration of Independence - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -Wrote the Declaration of Independence
Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787) - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -A weak constitution that governed America during the
Revolutionary War.
Federalist no. 51 - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -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 - ANSWER Right to keep and bear arms
Third Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -The government may not house soldiers in private homes
without consent of the owner
Forth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -It protects people against unfair searches of their
homes; search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -Right to a speedy and public trial
Seventh Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -Right to a trial by jury in civil
cases Eighth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -No cruel and unusual
punishment
Nineth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the
Constitution and Bill of Rights
Tenth Amendment - CORRECT ANS: -Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to
the federal gov. are reserved to the states
bicameral legislature - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different
number of representatives from each state, depending on population
New Jersey Plan - ANSWER Proposal to create a weak national government
,Virginia Plan - ANSWER Proposal to create a strong national government
Constitutional Convention - CORRECT ANS: -Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of
the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United States.
unicameral legislature - CORRECT ANS: -One-house legislature
Three-Fifths Compromise - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -A government that divides the powers of government between
the national government and state or provincial governments
enumerated powers - CORRECT ANS: -The powers explicitly given to Congress in the
Constitution. reserved powers - CORRECT ANS: -Powers given to the state government alone
Federalists - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when
the states were contemplating its adoption.
Ratification - CORRECT ANS: -Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution,
constitutional amendment, or treaty
Republic - CORRECT ANS: -A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by
voting Habeas Corpus - CORRECT ANS: -Constitutional protection against unlawful
imprisonment
Federalist Papers - CORRECT ANS: -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 ANS: -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 ANS: -makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war
Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) - CORRECT ANS: -interprets the constitution and other laws,
reviews lower-court decisions
Executive Branch (President) - ANSWER has the power to enforce the law
Executive Orders - CORRECT ANS: -Formal orders issued by the president to direct action by
the federal bureaucracy.
checks on the executive branch - 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 ANS: -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 ANS: -By President
Nominates judges
Power of pardon
