AEPA Political Science/American Government Practice Questions
1. How many Southern states originally ratified the 14th Amendment?
2. When the Senate held an impeachment hearing against Andrew Johnson for overstepping his authority, what did they invoke?
A: Checks and balances
C: Legislative oversight
3. Which Supreme Court case enforced the civil rights of citizens to not incriminate themselves?
A: Marbury v. Madison
B: Miranda v. Arizona
C: Youngstown Sheet and Tube Company v. Sawyer
D: United States v. Carolene Products Company
4. What judicial system did America borrow from England?
A: Due process
B: Federal law
C: Commerce law
D: Common law
5. The writers of The Federalist Papers published under the pen name “Publius.” Who were the authors?
A: James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton
B: George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison
C: Alexander Hamilton, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson
D: Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and Thomas Jefferson
6. To be President of the United States, one must meet these three requirements:
A: The President must be college educated, at least 30 years old, and a natural citizen
B: The President must be a natural citizen, have lived in the U.S. for 14 years, and have a college education
C: The President must be a natural citizen, be at least 35 years old, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years
D: The President must be at least 30 years old, be a natural citizen, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years
7. The President may serve a maximum of ______ according to the ____ Amendment.
A: Three four-year terms; 23rd
B: Two four-year terms; 22nd
C: One four-year term; 22nd
D: Three four-year terms; 23rd
8. How many Commissioners does the President appoint to the SEC?
9. The Office of Management and Budget helps the President prepare the federal budget. What are they part of?
A: United States Trade Representative
B: Federal Reserve Board
C: Securities and Exchange Commission
D: Executive Office of the President
10. The Vice President succeeds the President in case of death, illness or impeachment. What is the order of succession for the next three successors, according to the Presidential Succession Act of 1947?
A: President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Secretary of State, and Secretary of Defense
B: Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Secretary of State
C: President Pro Tempore of the Senate, Speaker of the House, and Secretary of State
D: Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and Speaker of the House
1. C. Tennessee was the only Southern state to ratify the 14th Amendment. Although Southern states that ratified this amendment could be readmitted to the Union with more reform, President Andrew Johnson, who was at odds with Congress, advised them against it.
2. A. Checks and balances were established to keep one branch of government from taking too much authority. When Johnson violated the Tenure of Office Act by replacing Secretary of War Edwin Stanton, Johnson was impeached, but the final vote in the Senate trial came up one vote short of the number needed to convict him.
3. B. The Supreme Court ruled that statements made in interrogation are not admissible unless the defendant is informed of the right to an attorney and waives that right. The case of Miranda v. Arizona was consolidated with Westover v. United States, Vignera v. New York, and California v. Stewart.
4. D. America is a common law country because English common law was adopted in all states except Louisiana. Common law is based on precedent, and changes over time. Each state develops its own common laws.
5. A. James Madison, John Jay, and Alexander Hamilton published The Federalist in the Independent Journal in New York. It was a response to the Anti-Federalists in New York, who were slow to ratify the Constitution because they feared it gave the central government too much authority.
6. C. The President must be a natural citizen, be at least 35 years old, and have lived in the U.S. for 14 years. There is no education requirement for becoming President. Truman did not have a college education, but most Presidents have degrees.
7. B. Most Presidents have only served two terms, a precedent established by George Washington. Ulysses S. Grant and Theodore Roosevelt sought third terms; however, only Franklin D. Roosevelt served more than two terms. He served a third term and won a fourth, but died in its first year. The 22nd Amendment was passed by Congress in 1947 and ratified in 1951. It officially limited the President to two terms, and a Vice President who serves two years as President only can be elected for one term.
8. A. The Securities Exchange Act of 1934 established the Securities and Exchange Commission, which has five commissioners (one for each division) who serve staggered five-year terms. They are appointed by the President, who also chooses the Chairman of the Commission. No more than three of the commissioners can be in the same party to prevent partisanship.
9. D. The Office of Management and Budget is part of the Executive Office of the President (EOP). The EOP is a group of Presidential advisers and has been in place since Theodore Roosevelt. The President appoints members directly, but some positions like the Director of the Office of Management and Budget need Senate approval.
10. B. The Presidential Succession Act lists the Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore of the Senate, and Secretary of State next in succession after the Vice President. However, anyone who succeeds as President must meet all of the legal qualifications.