POLS 1101 Exam 2 Study Guide |302 Questions and
Answers
What happened as a result of the British and American victory in the French and Indian
War? - -France was removed from all of the mainland of North America
-Britain's national debt almost doubled because of the borrowing needed to fund the
French and Indian War. Under pressure from the heavily taxed wealthy British subjects,
what policy did Parliament enact to move some of the financial burden to the American
colonists? - -The Stamp Act
-The _______ Act forced the American colonists to pay for and use printed paper produced in
London for legal and commercial documents, newspapers, playing cards, etc. - -Stamp
-Why did the colonists protest the Stamp Act? - -It was unconstitutional taxation without
representation
-Which act was passed by Parliament that stated it had the authority to make laws "in all
cases whatsoever"? - -Declaratory Act
-What was the British response to the Boston Tea Party? - --They closed the port of Boston
-They took control of the governance of Massachusetts
-They passed the Coercive Acts (Intolebale Acts)
-The Continental Congress was formed as a reaction to Britain taking control on the
Massachusetts colony. What was its original purpose? - -To present a unified front of
resistance to British policy
-Place the events of the spring and summer of 1776 in order - -1. May 1776: Congress
urged the colonies to begin writing new constitutions
2. June 1776: Congress appointed a committee of 5 members to write a statement justifying
the American decision to declare independence
3. July 2nd, 1776: Congress voted for independence
4. July 4th, 1776: Congress officially approved the written justification, the Declaration of
Independence
-How does "America's Creed," as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, help us to
understand American government and politics today? - --It highlights what unites the
divided mainstream of American politics
-It reflects the philosophy of government upon which America's state and federal
constitutions are based and justified
-It has served as a political tool for those challenging the status quo of government and
politics
, -What are the "self-evident" truths presented in America's Creed? - --"...all men are created
equal..."
-"...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
-"...Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of
the governed..."
-"...whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of
the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government..."
-In America's Creed, Jefferson states that "...all men are created equal...". In the context in
which the Declaration of Independence was written, what does this mean? - -Americans
were under no natural obligation to continue submission to the King
-"...(men) are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness...". Which of Locke's principles are reflected
by this excerpt (and the American Creed)? - -The theory of natural rights
-"...that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed...". What is implied by the 3rd tenet of America's
Creed? - --Government needs to be empowered to protect the rights of individuals from
one another and from foreign threats
-Government should be controlled to avoid unjustly threatening people's rights
-What is meant by the following passage from Alexander Hamilton? "The only distinction
between freedom and slavery consists in this: In the former state a man is governed by the
laws to which he has given his consent, either in person or by his representative; in the
latter, he is governed by the will of another. In the one case, his life and property are his
own; in the other, they depend upon the pleasure of his master. It is easy to discern which
of these two states is preferable. No man in his senses can hesitate in choosing to be free,
rather than a slave." - -Any person subjected to laws without his consent is a slave
-"...that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...". What is this passage referred to as?
- -The right of revolution
-What was the British argument for the legitimacy of the Stamp Act? - -American views
and interests were represented because there were members of Parliament who had
reason to sympathize with American interests. In other words, they had virtual
representation.
-What does it mean to give the people tight democratic control over their legislature? - -
Members of the state legislatures are regularly held accountable to voters
, -How were legislatures under tight democratic control held accountable to the public? - --
Short terms for representatives
-Direct popular elections
-In accordance with the first state constitutions, who was allowed to vote in all of the
states? - -White men
-It is estimated that, on average, the percentage of white men eligible to vote in America
under the new revolutionary constitutions was ____ greater than in Britain - -4x
-How did the revolutionary state constitutions place a heavy emphasis on separation of
powers? - --British rule had taught them to disdain government that is dominated by the
executive and/or judicial branches
-It was viewed as necessary for preserving liberty
-After several years of experience with the revolutionary state constitution, what did many
Founders come to conclude? - --The legislature wasn't living up to the ideals of rule of law
and constitutional government
-The legislatures dominated the other branches of government
-The U.S. Constitution was designed to avoid giving the legislature too much power. How
did they accomplish this? - --Implementing the principle of checks and balances between
the branches of government
-By removing the power of executive appointment from the legislature
-_______________ are legal rights that are designed to protect individuals form government
abuse - -Civil liberties
-The Founders would write and ratify a new constitution to replace the Articles of
Confederation and Perpetual Union in 1787-1788. What was the reason they had to do
this? - -The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union created a central government
that was too weak, and, by extension, allowed the states to have too much power and
independence
-In a(n) __________ , there is a central government and state governments, but the system is
designed such that the states maintain as much sovereignty and independence as possible.
- -confederacy
-What are the characteristics of a confederacy? - --The central government has only
enough power to maintain good relations between the states and for coordinating
collective action
-The central government does not claim direct authority over individual persons
-The central government only claims authority over the state governments
-How could Congress raise money under the Articles of Confederation? - -Levy
requisitions on the state governments
, -________________ were essentially requests that the state governments pay money to
Congress. Despite a legal obligation to comply with them, the states were reluctant to do so
and they came up with many excuses to avoid paying - -Requisitions
-To highlight a flaw in the design of the Articles of Confederation, what was the only
punishment the central government could use to gain compliance to these requests? - -
Military force
-Why did Congress never actually resort to using military force against state governments
for non-payment of requisitions? - --It would create ill will amongst the states and between
the states and central government
-Using military force would mean significant loss of life and property
-The Articles of Confederation did not explicitly grant Congress the legal authority to use
military force against delinquent states
-Under the Articles of Confederation the central government consisted solely of a
unicameral legislature (no executive or judicial branches). What problems arose because of
this? - --There were no government departments to carry out public policy
-There was no branch dedicated to diplomacy, or commanding the military
-It was not stated that treaties with foreign countries entered into by the United States
were binding agreements that took precedence over state laws under the Articles of
Confederation. What happened as a result of this? - --States often passed laws that
contradicted the terms of treaties
-It created tensions with foreign countries making it difficult to cooperate for mutual
benefit
-State legislatures were required to select delegates to the U.S. Congress every year.
However, they were allowed tor call any delegate at any time and replace that person with
a new delegate. How did this affect the dynamic between the legislature and the delegates?
- -This gave state legislatures powerful leverage over congressional delegates.
-It was very difficult to enact proposed policies because the Articles of Confederation
required a __________________________ of nine states (70%) - -supermajority
-The Articles of Confederation did not give the people direct control over Congress. Who
appointed members of Congress? - -State legislatures
-The Original Constitution and the first twelve amendments are known as the
__________________________________ because all of it was the work of the founding generation. - -
Founders' Constitution
-Match the events of the creation of the Founders' Constitution to the dates they occurred.
- -1787: Delegates convened in Philadelphia to write a Constitution to replace the Articles
of Confederation
Answers
What happened as a result of the British and American victory in the French and Indian
War? - -France was removed from all of the mainland of North America
-Britain's national debt almost doubled because of the borrowing needed to fund the
French and Indian War. Under pressure from the heavily taxed wealthy British subjects,
what policy did Parliament enact to move some of the financial burden to the American
colonists? - -The Stamp Act
-The _______ Act forced the American colonists to pay for and use printed paper produced in
London for legal and commercial documents, newspapers, playing cards, etc. - -Stamp
-Why did the colonists protest the Stamp Act? - -It was unconstitutional taxation without
representation
-Which act was passed by Parliament that stated it had the authority to make laws "in all
cases whatsoever"? - -Declaratory Act
-What was the British response to the Boston Tea Party? - --They closed the port of Boston
-They took control of the governance of Massachusetts
-They passed the Coercive Acts (Intolebale Acts)
-The Continental Congress was formed as a reaction to Britain taking control on the
Massachusetts colony. What was its original purpose? - -To present a unified front of
resistance to British policy
-Place the events of the spring and summer of 1776 in order - -1. May 1776: Congress
urged the colonies to begin writing new constitutions
2. June 1776: Congress appointed a committee of 5 members to write a statement justifying
the American decision to declare independence
3. July 2nd, 1776: Congress voted for independence
4. July 4th, 1776: Congress officially approved the written justification, the Declaration of
Independence
-How does "America's Creed," as expressed in the Declaration of Independence, help us to
understand American government and politics today? - --It highlights what unites the
divided mainstream of American politics
-It reflects the philosophy of government upon which America's state and federal
constitutions are based and justified
-It has served as a political tool for those challenging the status quo of government and
politics
, -What are the "self-evident" truths presented in America's Creed? - --"...all men are created
equal..."
-"...that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among
these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness."
-"...Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of
the governed..."
-"...whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of
the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government..."
-In America's Creed, Jefferson states that "...all men are created equal...". In the context in
which the Declaration of Independence was written, what does this mean? - -Americans
were under no natural obligation to continue submission to the King
-"...(men) are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these
are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness...". Which of Locke's principles are reflected
by this excerpt (and the American Creed)? - -The theory of natural rights
-"...that to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just
powers from the consent of the governed...". What is implied by the 3rd tenet of America's
Creed? - --Government needs to be empowered to protect the rights of individuals from
one another and from foreign threats
-Government should be controlled to avoid unjustly threatening people's rights
-What is meant by the following passage from Alexander Hamilton? "The only distinction
between freedom and slavery consists in this: In the former state a man is governed by the
laws to which he has given his consent, either in person or by his representative; in the
latter, he is governed by the will of another. In the one case, his life and property are his
own; in the other, they depend upon the pleasure of his master. It is easy to discern which
of these two states is preferable. No man in his senses can hesitate in choosing to be free,
rather than a slave." - -Any person subjected to laws without his consent is a slave
-"...that whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the
Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its
foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall
seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...". What is this passage referred to as?
- -The right of revolution
-What was the British argument for the legitimacy of the Stamp Act? - -American views
and interests were represented because there were members of Parliament who had
reason to sympathize with American interests. In other words, they had virtual
representation.
-What does it mean to give the people tight democratic control over their legislature? - -
Members of the state legislatures are regularly held accountable to voters
, -How were legislatures under tight democratic control held accountable to the public? - --
Short terms for representatives
-Direct popular elections
-In accordance with the first state constitutions, who was allowed to vote in all of the
states? - -White men
-It is estimated that, on average, the percentage of white men eligible to vote in America
under the new revolutionary constitutions was ____ greater than in Britain - -4x
-How did the revolutionary state constitutions place a heavy emphasis on separation of
powers? - --British rule had taught them to disdain government that is dominated by the
executive and/or judicial branches
-It was viewed as necessary for preserving liberty
-After several years of experience with the revolutionary state constitution, what did many
Founders come to conclude? - --The legislature wasn't living up to the ideals of rule of law
and constitutional government
-The legislatures dominated the other branches of government
-The U.S. Constitution was designed to avoid giving the legislature too much power. How
did they accomplish this? - --Implementing the principle of checks and balances between
the branches of government
-By removing the power of executive appointment from the legislature
-_______________ are legal rights that are designed to protect individuals form government
abuse - -Civil liberties
-The Founders would write and ratify a new constitution to replace the Articles of
Confederation and Perpetual Union in 1787-1788. What was the reason they had to do
this? - -The Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union created a central government
that was too weak, and, by extension, allowed the states to have too much power and
independence
-In a(n) __________ , there is a central government and state governments, but the system is
designed such that the states maintain as much sovereignty and independence as possible.
- -confederacy
-What are the characteristics of a confederacy? - --The central government has only
enough power to maintain good relations between the states and for coordinating
collective action
-The central government does not claim direct authority over individual persons
-The central government only claims authority over the state governments
-How could Congress raise money under the Articles of Confederation? - -Levy
requisitions on the state governments
, -________________ were essentially requests that the state governments pay money to
Congress. Despite a legal obligation to comply with them, the states were reluctant to do so
and they came up with many excuses to avoid paying - -Requisitions
-To highlight a flaw in the design of the Articles of Confederation, what was the only
punishment the central government could use to gain compliance to these requests? - -
Military force
-Why did Congress never actually resort to using military force against state governments
for non-payment of requisitions? - --It would create ill will amongst the states and between
the states and central government
-Using military force would mean significant loss of life and property
-The Articles of Confederation did not explicitly grant Congress the legal authority to use
military force against delinquent states
-Under the Articles of Confederation the central government consisted solely of a
unicameral legislature (no executive or judicial branches). What problems arose because of
this? - --There were no government departments to carry out public policy
-There was no branch dedicated to diplomacy, or commanding the military
-It was not stated that treaties with foreign countries entered into by the United States
were binding agreements that took precedence over state laws under the Articles of
Confederation. What happened as a result of this? - --States often passed laws that
contradicted the terms of treaties
-It created tensions with foreign countries making it difficult to cooperate for mutual
benefit
-State legislatures were required to select delegates to the U.S. Congress every year.
However, they were allowed tor call any delegate at any time and replace that person with
a new delegate. How did this affect the dynamic between the legislature and the delegates?
- -This gave state legislatures powerful leverage over congressional delegates.
-It was very difficult to enact proposed policies because the Articles of Confederation
required a __________________________ of nine states (70%) - -supermajority
-The Articles of Confederation did not give the people direct control over Congress. Who
appointed members of Congress? - -State legislatures
-The Original Constitution and the first twelve amendments are known as the
__________________________________ because all of it was the work of the founding generation. - -
Founders' Constitution
-Match the events of the creation of the Founders' Constitution to the dates they occurred.
- -1787: Delegates convened in Philadelphia to write a Constitution to replace the Articles
of Confederation
