copyright © 2011 pearson education, inc. publishing as longman lo 2.1 summary the origins of the...

Copyright © 2011 Pearson Education, Inc. Publishing as Longman

LO 2.1Summary

• The Origins of the Constitution• Ideas behind American Revolution and the

Constitution were belief in natural rights, consent of the governed, limited government, responsibility of government to protect property, and equality of citizens.

To Learning Objectives


The notion that the people must agree on who their rulers will be is referred to as

A. sanctity of property rights.

B. natural rights.

C. consent of the governed.

D. limited government.

LO 2.1



LO 2.2Summary

• The Government That Failed: 1776–1787• The Articles of Confederation established

a government dominated by the states, without a permanent executive or national judiciary.

• A weak central government could not raise sufficient funds, regulate trade, protect property rights, or take action without unanimous consent of the states.



The primary result of Shays’ Rebellion was to

A. spread similar, unruly behavior to ever larger and more effective groups.

B. force states to pass “force acts” and print money.

C. serve as a factor motivating the American Revolution.

D. precipitate a review of the Articles of Confederation in Annapolis.

LO 2.2



LO 2.3Summary

• Making a Constitution: The Philadelphia Convention• The Framers were more educated,

wealthy, and urban than most.• Core ideas they shared were that people

were self-interested, wealth distribution was a source of political conflict, the object of government was protecting private property, and balanced government is best government.



According to James Madison, which of the following is the primary source of political conflict?

A. Differing political ideologies.

B. The distribution of wealth.

C. Self-interested human nature.

D. The lack of education.

LO 2.3



LO 2.4Summary

• Critical Issues at the Convention• The Framers intended to make the

national government an economic stabilizer.

• The economic powers assigned to Congress left no doubt it was to forge national economic policy.

• The Framers did include some specific individual rights.



Which of the following economic powers are given to Congress in theU.S. Constitution?

A. Power to tax, borrow money, and print and coin money.

B. Power to regulate interstate and foreign commerce.

C. Power to broadly protect property rights.

D. All of the above.

LO 2.4



LO 2.5Summary

• The Madisonian System• The Founders reconciled majority rule with

minority interests by constraining both the majority and the minority.

• The Madisonian system dispersed power among separate branches of government, and gave them shared powers so that each branch had a check on the others.

LO 2.5



The system of governance set up in the U.S. constitutional republictends to ______.

A. favor the status quo and limit political change.

B. be relatively efficient in producing political results.

C. encourage direct democracy.

D. centralize power.

LO 2.5



LO 2.6Summary

• Ratifying the Constitution• The Federalists, largely from the

economic elite, supported a strong national government.

• Anti-Federalists, largely from the middle class, supported a weaker national government and wanted individual liberties.

• The Federalists promised to propose what became known as the Bill of Rights.



The Bill of Rights was adopted primarily to ______.

A. allay fears that the Constitution would restrict freedom.

B. ensure that the Constitution had the support of the Federalists.

C. protect the states against the potential for abuses by the national government.

D. satisfy Madison’s concerns about factions and to check their effects.

LO 2.6



LO 2.7Summary

• Changing the Constitution• The formal amendment process requires

supermajorities in both houses of Congress and among the states.

• The informal process includes judicial interpretation, changing political practices, technology, and the increasing demands on policymakers.



Which of the following means of amending the Constitution has never been used to date?

A. Proposal by ⅔ support in both houses of Congress.

B. Ratification by ¾ of state legislatures.

C. Ratification by ¾ of state conventions.

D. Proposal through a national convention called by Congress.

LO 2.7



LO 2.8Summary

• Understanding the Constitution• The Constitution did not create a majoritarian

democracy so majorities did not always rule.• Gradual democratization of the Constitution –

Right to vote has expanded, senators are elected, and president electors are now agents of political parties.



LO 2.8Summary

• Understanding the Constitution (cont.)• By protecting individual rights and limiting

government power to restrict them, the Constitution limits the scope of government.

• By dispersing power among institutions, the Constitution increases access of interests to government but also allows these interests to check each other and produce stalemate.



The Constitution has been amended times to expand the electorate.

A. 5

B. 4

C. 3

D. 2

LO 2.8
