AP US Government : Structure of the Bureaucracy

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP US Government

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Example Questions

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Example Question #1 : Structure Of The Bureaucracy

Which of the following is not true of the Federal Reserve System?

Possible Answers:

It consists of twelve branches located throughout the country.

It has the power to set interest rates.

Its leadership is chosen by the President.

It has the power to adjust the supply of money.

It was established by the Constitution.

Correct answer:

It was established by the Constitution.

Explanation:

The Federal Reserve Bank was created by Franklin Delano Roosevelt as part of the New Deal.  It was a central component of Roosevelt's plan to reform the American banking system after the Great Depression.

Example Question #2 : Bureaucracy

The Department of Homeland Security was created during the Presidency of __________

Possible Answers:

Richard Nixon.

George H.W. Bush.

Franklin D. Roosevelt.

George W. Bush.

Bill Clinton.

Correct answer:

George W. Bush.

Explanation:

The Department of Homeland Security was first proposed at the beginning of 2001 and was then expedited to meet the growing threat of terrorism after 9/11. Thus it was created during the Presidency of George W. Bush. The primary function of the Department of Homeland Security is to protect the citizens of the United States from terrorist attacks on American soil.

Example Question #3 : Bureaucracy

Which of the following was not an original Cabinet position?

Possible Answers:

Secretary of State

Secretary of Treasury

These were all original Cabinet positions

Secretary of War

Attorney General

Correct answer:

These were all original Cabinet positions

Explanation:

The Cabinet has been greatly expanded in the years since 1789, but all of these answer choices were original cabinet positions. The Departments of State, Treasury, and Defense were all created in 1789.

Example Question #4 : Bureaucracy

Which of these Federal departments is responsible for negotiating foreign treaties?

Possible Answers:

The Department of State

The Department of Commerce

The Department of Justice

The Department of the Interior

The Department of Defense

Correct answer:

The Department of State

Explanation:

The Department of State is responsible for negotiating foreign treaties, as well as advising the President on foreign policy in general.

Example Question #5 : Bureaucracy

Which of these Federal departments is responsible for carrying out the national census?

Possible Answers:

Department of Commerce

Department of Treasury

Department of the Interior

Department of State

Department of Justice

Correct answer:

Department of Commerce

Explanation:

The national census is conducted by the Department of Commerce. The Department of Commerce is also responsible for issuing patents and granting trademarks, along with the research into and promotion of trade.

Example Question #6 : Bureaucracy

The belief that government agencies will inevitably grow in size and cost is called __________.

Possible Answers:

runaway agency

judicial restraint

bureaucratic imperialism

agenda setting

Congressional oversight

Correct answer:

bureaucratic imperialism

Explanation:

The term, "bureaucratic imperialism," is used to describe the belief that government agencies will always and inevitably grow in size and cost. The idea is that government agencies grow, without taking into account whether their growth confers any added benefit.

Example Question #7 : Bureaucracy

The Department of Homeland Security was created during the Presidency of __________.

Possible Answers:

Dwight Eisenhower

George W. Bush

Richard Nixon

Ronald Reagan

Bill Clinton

Correct answer:

George W. Bush

Explanation:

The Department of Homeland Security was first proposed in the early months of 2001, and it was promptly expedited following the terrorist attacks of September 11th. It was created during the Bush Administration. The Department of Homeland Security, as its name suggests, is tasked with protecting American citizens from terrorist attacks and responding to such attacks, as well as to national disasters.

Example Question #3 : Bureaucracy

Which Executive body is tasked with protecting the American people from terrorist attacks on American soil?

Possible Answers:

The Department of the Interior

The Department of Defense

The Iron Triangle

The Federal Bureau of Investigation

The Department of Homeland Security

Correct answer:

The Department of Homeland Security

Explanation:

The Department of Homeland Security, set up in 2001, is tasked with protecting the American people from terrorist attacks on American soil. It differs from the Department of Defense, which deals with foreign conflicts and dangers to American lives abroad.

Example Question #4 : Bureaucracy

The Federal Reserve was created in response to __________.

Possible Answers:

the creation of the national bank

the United States using the gold standard

The Spanish-American War

The First World War

a series of financial panics

Correct answer:

a series of financial panics

Explanation:

The Federal Reserve was created in 1913 to act as a central organization to regulate the money supply of the United States and to establish moderately long term interest rates. In the years before the Federal Reserve, financial panics were common and extremely detrimental to the growth of the economy; the Panic of 1807 is usually considered the direct tipping point. Over the years, the power of the Federal Reserve has greatly expanded, particularly during the Great Depression Era, to try to prevent economic depression and recession.

Example Question #10 : Structure Of The Bureaucracy

Who assassinated President James Garfield?

Possible Answers:

Robert E. Lee

John Wilkes Booth

Charles Guiteau

Leon Czolgosz

Lee Harvey Oswald

Correct answer:

Charles Guiteau

Explanation:

President Garfield was assassinated by Charles Guiteau. Guiteau, who wrote an essay supporting Garfield’s campaign, believed he should be rewarded with a position in Garfield’s government, and when this was not granted he enacted personal revenge. The motivation behind the assassination was one of the main factors that inspired the government to enact into law a bill that stated that government jobs should be awarded on the basis of merit alone, and not as gratitude for political favors. John Wilkes Booth was convicted of Lincoln’s assassination, Leon Czolgosz with the assassination of William McKinley, Lee Harvey Oswald with the assassination of John F. Kennedy. Robert E. Lee was a Confederate general, and war hero, during the American Civil War.

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