AP Government and Politics › Political Figures and Constitutional Framers
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
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.
The Declaration of Independence was written by __________.
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
James Madison
James Monroe
Benjamin Franklin
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.
Who was the author of the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
George Washington
Paul Revere
Samuel Adams
James Madison
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.
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
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.
Which Founding Father first coined the doctrine of “separation of church and state?”
Thomas Jefferson
Benjamin Franklin
James Madison
Alexander Hamilton
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.
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
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.
Who was the first Secretary of the Treasury?
Alexander Hamilton
Aaron Burr
Thomas Jefferson
John Adams
James Madison
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
Who authored the Federalist Papers?
(I),(II), (III)
(I) John Jay
(II) Alexander Hamilton
(III) James Madison
(IV) George Washington
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