AP US Government : Constitution and Government Foundations

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

Example Question #42 : Federalism

After the 1930s, the Federal government increased its authority over state governments primarily __________________.

Possible Answers:

by compelling states to comply with federal standards or risk harsh penalties for resisting the national government’s priorities

by relying on grants-in-aid money to encourage states to comply with federal standards passed by Congress

by using the mass media to encourage citizens to pressure state governments to follow the guidelines set by Congress

by supporting local politicians in state elections that would advance federal policy goals once in state office

Correct answer:

by relying on grants-in-aid money to encourage states to comply with federal standards passed by Congress

Explanation:

After the end of Dual Federalism in 1937, the Federal Government continued to expand its authority by relying on grants-in-aid money to the states to encourage state governments to comply with federal standards and programs. From 1937 to the 1960s, the US entered a period called cooperative federalism, where the Federal government would pass laws requiring the state governments to act, but the Federal government would pay any costs on the states. These payments to the states are called grants-in-aid. After the 1960s, the US entered a period called regulated federalism where the Federal government continued to impose regulations or other requirements on the state governments, but it failed to pay the costs that the states incurred by complying. Instead,  the Federal government would fine or penalize states who did not comply with Federal rules and regulations. The Federal government almost never supported local politicians in state elections that would advance federal policy goals once in state office. The president sometimes used the Mass media to pressure state governments but this isn't widespread and it occurred a bit later over issues like civil rights.

Example Question #151 : Constructing The Constitution

National standards imposed on state or local government  by the federal government without accompanying funding or reimbursement are called __________________.

Possible Answers:

ex post facto mandates

unfunded mandates

grants-in-aid

formula grants

Correct answer:

unfunded mandates

Explanation:

When the Federal government imposes a national standard on the state governments without paying the costs for states to adhere to the standard, the federal government imposes an unfunded mandate on the states. Grants-in-aid refers to money that the Federal government pays to the state governments in order to help they comply with Federal rules and regulations. Formula grants are grants where the government uses a precise mathematical formula to determine how much to give to recipients. Ex post facto grants are not a real thing; it is a nonsense answer.

Example Question #152 : Constructing The Constitution

Congress’ threat to deny highway funds to states that failed to impose a 55 mile per hour speed limit exemplifies which stage of federalism?

Possible Answers:

New Federalism

Regulated Federalism

Cooperative Federalism

Dual Federalism

Correct answer:

Regulated Federalism

Explanation:

When the Federal government threatens to withhold funds to force states to comply with its priorities, like the national seed limit, the federal government relies on a tactic that characterizes the period of Regulated Federalism. Dual Federalism refers to the period before 1937, where the state and federal power remained separate and in general the states possessed more authority than the federal government. Cooperative federalism refers to the period from 1937 to 1960s where the Federal government uses grants-in-aid to pay the costs for any of its regulations imposed on the State governments. New Federalism refers to a period during the 1980s and 1990s, where Republican presidents and the Supreme Court began to make some reforms to reduce the power of the Federal government over the state governments.

Example Question #45 : Federalism

Regulated federalism refers to _______________.

Possible Answers:

period since the 1960s where the Federal government increasingly set national standards and punished states by withholding grant money for failing to conform to those standards

period prior to the 1930s, where states retained most of the political power to regulate the economy and the federal government’s authority was limited to regulating interstate commerce

 

period from 1930s to the 1960s where the Federal government increasingly set national standards but granted states the money for the costs of meeting those standards

period mainly under Republican presidents since the 1970s and 1980s whereby the federal government began to loosen some restrictions on state governments, especially the use of unfunded mandate

Correct answer:

period since the 1960s where the Federal government increasingly set national standards and punished states by withholding grant money for failing to conform to those standards

Explanation:

Regulated Federalism refers to the period since the 1960s where the Federal government increasingly set national standards and punished states by withholding grant money for failing to conform to those standards. Dual Federalism refers to the period prior to the 1930s, where states retained most of the political power to regulate the economy and the federal government’s authority was limited to regulating interstate commerce. New Federalism refers to the period mainly under Republican presidents since the 1970s and 1980s whereby the federal government began to loosen some restrictions on state governments, especially the use of unfunded mandate. Cooperative federalism refers to the period from 1930s to the 1960s where the Federal government increasingly set national standards but granted states the money for the costs of meeting those standards.

Example Question #153 : Constructing The Constitution

 

 

Sovereignty refers to ________________.

Possible Answers:

the division of powers and functions between the national government and state governments

supreme and independent political authority

the separation of the national legislature into two houses

the separation of power among three different branches of government

Correct answer:

supreme and independent political authority

Explanation:

The correct definition for "Sovereignty" is supreme and independent political authority. "Bicameralism" is the separation of the national legislature into two houses. The separation of powers is when the national government is separated into three different branches--the executive, the legislative, and the judicial branches. "Federalism" is the division of powers and functions between the national government and the state governments.

Example Question #154 : Constructing The Constitution

Powers that are not specifically delegated to the national government or denied to the states are ________________.

Possible Answers:

reserved to the state governments under the 10th Amendment

shared by both the national and state governments under the doctrine of concurrent powers

given to the people under the doctrine of popular sovereignty

often granted to the national government through the Bill of Rights

Correct answer:

reserved to the state governments under the 10th Amendment

Explanation:

Under the doctrine of expressed powers and the 10 Amendment, powers not explicitly granted to the national government by the Constitution are reserved to the state governments. Powers not granted to the Federal government under the Constitution or reserved to the states are left to the people under the 9th amendment. Popular sovereignty is the ability of the people to rule in their own right. The US has limited popular sovereignty through state referendums. Most powers or authorities that aren't granted to the Federal government are left to the state governments. Powers that are shared by both the people and the Federal government are called concurrent powers.

Example Question #155 : Constructing The Constitution

Which of these was NOT a major influence on the Bill of Rights?

Possible Answers:

The Intolerable Acts (1774)

The Virginia Declaration of Rights (1776)

The English Bill of Rights (1689)

The Magna Carta (1215)

The Federalist Papers (1787)

Correct answer:

The Federalist Papers (1787)

Explanation:

The conflict between Federalists and Antifederalists was the major thread of late eighteenth century American politics. A major sticking point was the need for a Bill of Rights in the Constitution. Students should recall that Federalists like Alexander Hamilton did not see a need for a Bill of Rights to be added, while Antifederalists James Madison spearheaded the amendments.

Example Question #2 : Bill Of Rights

To address the concerns of many Anti-Federalists during the debate over ratification of the Constitution, the Federalists agreed that?

Possible Answers:

States would retain control of interstate commerce

Political parties would be formed

Slavery would be eliminated by an amendment

A bill of rights would be added

Correct answer:

A bill of rights would be added

Explanation:

Debates between the Anti-Federalists and the Federalists can be considered the first political party debates in America. Anti-Federalists disliked the creation of the constitution because they feared it was creating a too powerful central government. The Federalists favored the constitution due to issues with the Articles of Confederation and its lack of a strong central government. A compromise was reached with the formation of the Bill of Rights which was designed to protect civil liberties of all citizens.

Example Question #3 : Bill Of Rights

The fourth amendment of the United States Constitution states that “no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause . . . and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.” This section of the Constitution addresses which issue?

Possible Answers:

Limits on governmental power

States’ rights

Implied powers

Separation of powers

Correct answer:

Limits on governmental power

Explanation:

The 4th amendment is more commonly known for its protection from unreasonable search and seizure, it is part of the Bill of Rights, which was designed for the protection of individual rights.

Example Question #4 : Bill Of Rights

George Mason was a leading Anti-Federalist; given his ideology which of the following would he argue for as a balance to the increased federal power?  

Possible Answers:

The creation a system of checks and balances among the branches

A denouncement of the Federalist Papers

A Bill of Rights to the Constitution

Declare independence from England

Correct answer:

A Bill of Rights to the Constitution

Explanation:

The center of the debate between the Anti-Federalists and the Federalist was the power that the central government would have. Anti-Federalists argued for the protection of states and individual rights. Anti-Federalists such as Mason were began to support the Constitution when the bill of rights was added to protect states and individual rights.

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