Political Figures and Constitutional Framers

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AP Government and Politics › Political Figures and Constitutional Framers

Questions 1 - 10
1

Which of following are reasons for the development of judicial review?

I. Framers' intentions

II. Historical acceptance

III. Counterweight to majority rule

IV. To resolve conflicts consistently and effect public compliance

I, II, III, and IV

I and II

I, II, and III

IV only

III and IV

Explanation

Judicial review was developed for all of the listed reasons. It is strongly believed that judicial review was in the framers' intentions. Also, at the time, similar systems were used in England. Judicial review set the standards, keeping decisions and convictions consistent with the Constitution. Any changes in the Constitution would also change the common law for everyone. The development of judicial review would even act as a counterbalance to the majority, allowing for decisions to be based on the laws outlined in the Constitution rather than public opinion.

2

The Declaration of Independence was written by __________.

Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

James Madison

James Monroe

Benjamin Franklin

Explanation

The Declaration of Independence, in which the colonies formally listed their grievances against the British government and King George, was written by Thomas Jefferson, in 1776.

3

Who was the author of the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

Paul Revere

Samuel Adams

James Madison

Explanation

The 2nd Continental Congress elected a committee of individuals to write the Deceleration of Independence--Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, John Adams, but it was Thomas Jefferson who was tasked with drafting the document.

4

The Federalist Papers were written by all of the following individuals EXCEPT __________.

All of these individuals contributed to The Federalist Papers.

None of these individuals contributed to The Federalist Papers.

John Jay

James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

Explanation

The Federalist Papers is a collection of essays written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison advocating for the ratification and adoption of the United States Constitution. These essays were published primarily in New York state newspapers in 1787 and 1788 during the debate over Constitutional ratification.

5

Which Founding Father first coined the doctrine of “separation of church and state?”

Thomas Jefferson

Benjamin Franklin

James Madison

Alexander Hamilton

Explanation

The First Amendment contains two clauses, the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause, that concern the relationship (or lack thereof) between government and religious institutions, practices, and beliefs. Yet the language in these clauses, especially in regards to the Establishment Clause, is rather vague in meaning – the national government is clearly banned from declaring a national religion but any other restrictions are less clear. In response to early confusion, Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter in which he coined the term “separation of church and state” – according to Jefferson, the true intent of both these clauses was to build a virtual wall between government and religious institutions, so that by this separation, the government’s actions would not be influenced by religious entanglements. Jefferson cited the many religious wars conducted in the past by European monarchs, not to mention the many historical instances of government-sanctioned religious persecution, as the reason behind the necessity of this separation; he believed that in order for a government to function fairly, it must not take any religion into account at all, remaining equitably apart instead.

6

In Federalist Paper 10, James Madison wrote about the dangers of “factions” to the new United States. He said factions were connected "by some common impulse of passion, or of interest, adverse to the rights of other citizens, or to the permanent and aggregate interests of the community."

What organization(s) would be similar to Madison’s factions in America today?

Political Parties

Standing Committees in the Senate

The United Nations

Caucuses

Labor Unions

Explanation

James Madison was speaking of groups of people who held differing political viewpoints. The only logical answer to the question is "Political Parties." Political Parties are groups of Americans who hold different views. The other selections consist of other Americans who are part of the government \[ the Standing Committees of the Senate\], are part of the voting process \[Caucuses\] and help represent the working people of the country \[Labor Unions\]. The United Nations is not part of the American Government and is not a logical selection here.

7

Who was the first Secretary of the Treasury?

Alexander Hamilton

Aaron Burr

Thomas Jefferson

John Adams

James Madison

Explanation

The Secretary of the Treasury has an important role in the Cabinet. He advises the President on economic matters and also oversees all economic, financial and monetary matters of the United States. Alexander Hamilton, for example, created the first National Bank. The other gentlemen, while they held roles in the government, their roles did not include that of the first Secretary of the Treasury.

8

Which of these best describes the position of Anti-Federalists on the Constitution?

They opposed the adoption of the Constitution because it centralized power in the hands of the Federal government.

They opposed the adoption of the Constitution because it contained a written Bill of Rights.

They supported the adoption of the Constitution because it contained a written Bill of Rights.

They supported the adoption of the Constitution because it ensured the continued supremacy of the states.

They supported the adoption of the Constitution because it centralized power in the hands of the Federal Government.

Explanation

Anti-Federalists were opposed to the adoption of the Constitution for two major reasons. The first was that they feared that the Constitution placed power too firmly in the hands of a centralized Federal government. The second was that the Constitution contained no prescribed Bill of Rights. As only the first of these two concerns is an answer choice, it must be the correct answer.

9

Which one of these Founding Fathers was least likely to be alarmed by Shays’ Rebellion?

Thomas Jefferson

George Washington

Alexander Hamilton

John Jay

John Adams

Explanation

The correct answer is Thomas Jefferson. He famously responded to the uprising in Massachusetts by saying that "The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure." You do not need to remember this quote, but you do need to remember its sentiment. Jefferson believed that rebellions were not detrimental to the maintenance of the American government; on the contrary, he felt that they were necessary toward preserving the concept of liberty and individual freedom. In this he was in the minority among the Founding Fathers—George Washington in particular felt that Shays’ Rebellion conclusively demonstrated the need for a stronger Federal government.

10

Who authored the Federalist Papers?

(I),(II), (III)

(I) John Jay

(II) Alexander Hamilton

(III) James Madison

(IV) George Washington

Explanation

John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison wrote the collection of papers that we now refer to as the Federalist Papers. Essentially, these papers laid out the inner-workings of the proposed federal government, along with some pretty compelling political theory to back it up. Most students remember that Hamilton and Madison wrote the Federalist Papers—some even remember they both did—but relatively few people remember that John Jay actually wrote a few as well. Unfortunately, John Jay has been relegated to a relatively obscure part of the annals of history—he was also the first Supreme Court Chief Justice, but was so massively eclipsed by John Marshall’s fame that everyone forgets that too.

At any rate, the easiest way to remember that all three men wrote the Federalist Papers is to remember this: Hamilton wrote the most, Madison wrote the best, and Jay wrote . . . five

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