Complete Test Bank 3rd Edition The Texas Constitution Ch.2

Chapter 2

Test Bank

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 01, Objective 2.1

1) A document that lays out the principles and responsibilities of government and specifies the powers of the branches of government and elected officials is usually referred to as a

Feedback: factual

a. bill of rights.

b. law brief.

c. constitution.

d. platform.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 02, Objective 2.1

2) A formal declaration of the rights of the citizens within government is usually referred to as a

Feedback: factual

a. statement of separation.

b. bill of rights.

c. policy.

d. constitution.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 03, Objective 2.1

3) In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries political thinkers rejected the idea of a “divine right” of kings and instead argued that government should depend on

Feedback: factual

a. “liberty and faith.”

b. “the consent of the ruling class.”

c. “parties in power.”

d. “the consent of the governed.”

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 04, Objective 2.1

4) An agreement in which the governed give up freedoms in return for government protection is referred to as a

Feedback: conceptual

a. social contract.

b. declaration of rights.

c. constitution.

d. political power.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 05, Objective 2.2

5) The Mexican government promised to protect the liberty, property, and civil rights of all “foreigners” and in turn asked them to

Feedback: factual

a. pay a steep tax on all trades.

b. profess the Roman Catholic faith.

c. join the military.

d. profess allegiance to the National Congress.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 06, Objective 2.2

6) Authority over a political entity, such as a province or a state, is the definition of

Feedback: conceptual

a. leadership.

b. political power.

c. sovereignty.

d. authority.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 07, Objective 2.2

7) The Mexican president who took steps to centralize power in 1835 by sending his vice president into exile, disbanding Congress, and dissolving the state legislatures was named

Feedback: factual

a. Jose Perez.

b. Gomez Farias.

c. Sam Houston.

d. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 08, Objective 2.2

8) The “Father of Texas” who traveled to Mexico City to request the continuation of his father’s colony in Mexico and served as an empresario for the Anglo settlers was named

Feedback: factual

a. Moses Austin.

b. Sam Houston.

c. Stephen F. Austin.

d. James Polk.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 09, Objective 2.2

9) A government run by a single individual, often a king or queen, until death or abdication is called

Feedback: conceptual

a. a democracy.

b. a republic.

c. an oligarchy.

d. a monarchy.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 10, Objective 2.2

10) A form of government in which people rule indirectly through elected representatives is called a

Feedback: conceptual

a. republic.

b. monarchy.

c. theocracy.

d. democracy.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 11, Objective 2.3

11) Which group primarily wrote the 1836 (Independence) Constitution?

Feedback: factual

a. Blacks

b. Mexicans

c. Tejanos

d. Anglos

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 12, Objective 2.3

12) A system that vests political, judicial, and policymaking authority in different branches of government adheres to

Feedback: conceptual

a. separation of powers.

b. divided government.

c. unicameral legislature.

d. federalism.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 13, Objective 2.3

13) Which of the following is true of the 1836 Constitution?

Feedback: factual

a. Texas did away with the executive branch.

b. Only members of the clergy could be in the legislature.

c. Texas barred members of the clergy from serving in the legislature.

d. Only Anglos were eligible for office.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 14, Objective 2.3

14) Most of the drafters of the first Texas Constitution expected Texas would

Feedback: factual

a. face challenges from the U.S. for territory.

b. quickly join the U.S.

c. stretch all the way to the Pacific Ocean.

d. abolish slavery.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 15, Objective 2.3

15) The 1836 Constitution required that all elected officials must

Feedback: factual

a. believe in a higher power.

b. be born in Texas.

c. be Protestant.

d. be members of the clergy.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 16, Objective 2.4

16) The 1845 Constitution was prompted by what event?

Feedback: factual

a. Texas merging with South Oklahoma

b. Texas declaring independence

c. Texas joining the U.S.

d. Texas joining the Confederacy

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 17, Objective 2.4

17) Debate over the 1845 Constitution included

Feedback: factual

a. a spirited debate of voting rights.

b. a fist-fight in the hall of the convention.

c. a debate on requiring all Texans to speak English.

d. a compromise on the treatment of Native Americans.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 18, Objective 2.4

18) The right to participate in the electoral process by voting is called

Feedback: conceptual

a. individual rights.

b. voting.

c. suffrage.

d. majority rule.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 19, Objective 2.4

19) A law that prevents Texans from losing their homes in the event of bankruptcy or other financial problems is referred to as

Feedback: conceptual

a. a homestead law.

b. a property tax aversion.

c. bankruptcy protection.

d. financial security.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 20, Objective 2.4

20) The 1845 Constitution explicitly protected homesteads from government seizure in the event of bankruptcy. Why was this included?

Feedback: applied

a. Stephen F. Austin said homes were really important and everyone realized he was right.

b. The government had seized homes under Mexican rule.

c. There was a very high rate of homelessness at the time.

d. If people didn't have their homes, it would be hard for them to have families.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 21, Objective 2.5

21) What event exemplified Texans' frustration with the strong governor under the 1869 Constitution?

Feedback: applied

a. The Houston Incident

b. The Battle of Corpus Christi

c. The Battle of the Alamo

d. The Hill Country Rebellion

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 22, Objective 2.5

22) Which notable Texan was against leaving the Union?

Feedback: factual

a. Dan Patrick

b. Stephen F. Austin

c. Moses Austin

d. Sam Houston

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 23, Objective 2.5

23) Which type of settlers in central Texas were opposed to secession because many did not have slaves?

Feedback: factual

a. Mexican

b. Italian

c. Jewish

d. German

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 24, Objective 2.5

24) The primary historical event surrounding the Texas Constitution of 1866 was

Feedback: factual

a. the victory of the South over the North.

b. the readmission of Texas back into the Union.

c. secession.

d. reconstruction.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 25, Objective 2.5

25) The 1866 Constitution could be referred to as the

Feedback: applied

a. “Confederacy Constitution.”

b. “Statehood Constitution.”

c. “Readmission Constitution.”

d. “Reconstruction Constitution.”

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 26, Objective 2.5

26) The Constitution of 1869 provided for a strong

Feedback: factual

a. oil industry.

b. governor.

c. legislature.

d. supreme court.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 27, Objective 2.5

27) The Constitution of 1869 extended full voting rights to which group for the first time?

Feedback: factual

a. White males

b. Mexican citizens

c. White females

d. African Americans

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 28, Objective 2.5

28) The “Confederacy Constitution” certified the state’s membership in the Confederate States of America and explicitly protected

Feedback: factual

a. Texas’ right to declare independence from the Confederacy.

b. the rights of religious minorities.

c. the rights of slave owners.

d. the governor’s right to veto legislation.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 29, Objective 2.5

29) The 1861 Constitution included protections for which type institution?

Feedback: factual

a. Slavery

b. Cattle breeding

c. Cotton production

d. Oil production

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 30, Objective 2.5

30) The 1869 elections swept which controversial Republican governor into office?

Feedback: factual

a. Sam Houston

b. Miriam Ferguson

c. Edmund Davis

d. Greg Abbott

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 31, Objective 2.5

31) Governor Davis was defeated by 50,000 votes in the 1873 election and reacted by

Feedback: factual

a. refusing to leave office right away.

b. leaving office right away.

c. sabotaging the governor’s office in the capital building.

d. appealing to the people for another election.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 32, Objective 2.5

32) Why was Sam Houston was removed as governor of Texas in 1861?

Feedback: factual

a. Houston was offered the position of Mayor of Houston.

b. Texas instituted term limits.

c. Houston advocated joining the Confederacy and the legislature disagreed.

d. Houston refused to sign an oath of allegiance to the Confederacy.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 33, Objective 2.6

33) Why did the 1876 Constitution have a weak governor?

Feedback: applied

a. Texans at the time felt the judiciary should be the strongest branch.

b. Texans had bad experiences under a strong governor from the 1869 Constitution.

c. Sam Houston mentioned how uncomfortable he was with a lot of power.

d. It was random.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 34, Objective 2.6

34) Which group of voters was initially excluded from voting under the original version of the 1876 Constitution?

Feedback: factual

a. White males

b. Hispanics

c. African-Americans

d. Women

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 35, Objective 2.6

35) How did the 1876 Constitution check strong executive power?

Feedback: factual

a. County judges could override the governor.

b. It had a plural executive.

c. It had a legislature that was always in session.

d. It did away with the executive branch.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 36, Objective 2.6

36) The legislature can pass laws, but only the governor can sign them into law. This is an example of

Feedback: applied

a. limited government.

b. separation of powers.

c. federalism.

d. constitutionalism.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 37, Objective 2.6

37) In practice, the plural executive means

Feedback: applied

a. the governor is allowed to appoint officials to help lead the state.

b. there are three governors at any given time who must make decisions together.

c. the various executive officials are elected separately.

d. the Speaker of the House is required to assist the governor in gubernatorial duties if asked to do so.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 38, Objective 2.6

38) Texas can regulate what you can/cannot do in Texas. However, Oklahoma cannot regulate what you do in Texas. This is because Oklahoma lacks _______ in Texas.

Feedback: applied

a. sovereignty

b. force

c. constitutionality

d. legitimacy

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 39, Objective 2.6

39) In order to suppress the black vote, the 1876 Constitution required voters pay $1 to vote. This is called a

Feedback: conceptual

a. use tax.

b. voting admission.

c. ballot fee.

d. poll tax.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 40, Objective 2.6

40) “Popular sovereignty” is defined as

Feedback: conceptual

a. the people control every choice in the executive branch.

b. rule of the mob.

c. one person controls the government.

d. rule by the people.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 41, Objective 2.6

41) A political system in which the government’s functions and powers are restricted to protect individual liberty is called

Feedback: conceptual

a. limited government.

b. unlimited government.

c. popular government.

d. democratic socialism.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 42, Objective 2.6

42) Diffusion of authority and power throughout several entities in the executive branch is referred to as what type of executive?

Feedback: conceptual

a. Single

b. Dual

c. Plural

d. Chief

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 43, Objective 2.6

43) What is the purpose of separation of powers in the constitution?

Feedback: applied

a. To encourage democracy

b. To add a layer of complication and confusion

c. To keep one branch from becoming too powerful

d. To keep the executive branch from becoming too powerful

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 44, Objective 2.6

44) The Texas Bill of Rights was initially modeled on

Feedback: factual

a. the U.S. Bill of Rights.

b. the Louisiana Bill of Rights.

c. the writings of Sam Houston.

d. the Mexican Bill of Rights.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 45, Objective 2.7

45) The Texas Constitution periodically needs to be updated. How is this usually done?

Feedback: factual

a. Just ignoring the parts that are problematic

b. Calling the county judges to revise the constitution

c. Calling a new constitutional convention

d. A constitutional amendment

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 46, Objective 2.7

46) The current Texas constitution is _______ most other state constitutions.

Feedback: factual

a. more awkwardly worded than

b. longer than

c. shorter than

d. about the same length as

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 47, Objective 2.7

47) Suppose we want to amend the current Texas Constitution. The first step is

Feedback: factual

a. a constitutional convention must be called by 60% of the county judges

b. at least 100,000 voters must sign a petition in support of an amendment.

c. the governor must formally ask the state legislature to consider the amendment.

d. two-thirds of both chambers of the legislature must vote to adopt a resolution to propose the amendment.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 48, Objective 2.7

48) Any change to state government that requires expansion of state authority must be approved by

Feedback: factual

a. delegates at a constitutional convention.

b. the governor.

c. a constitutional amendment.

d. the federal government.

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 49, Objective 2.7

49) Roughly what percentage of amendments of passed since 1879?

Feedback: factual

a. 52%

b. 29%

c. 100%

d. 74%

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 50, Objective 2.7

50) Which of the following amendments are the voters most likely to approve by a high percentage?

Feedback: factual

a. Tax increases

b. Reorganizing a branch of government

c. Reducing or eliminating a tax

d. Extending additional powers to politicians

Type: multiple choice question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 51, Objective 2.7

51) Which of the following is NOT a step in the Texas constitutional amendment process?

Feedback: factual

a. Two-thirds of both houses of the legislature vote to adopt a resolution to propose an amendment.

b. The secretary of state and attorney general approve the proposal.

c. The voters approve with a majority vote.

d. The governor provides a signature.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 52, Objective 2.1

52) Explain the purpose of a constitution.

Feedback:

Establishes principles of government.

Establishes powers and responsibilities of government.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 53, Objective 2.1

53) What is a social contract?

Feedback:

An agreement in which the governed give up freedoms in return for government protection.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 54, Objective 2.1

54) What are the two themes that we see in each of the Texas Constitutions?

Feedback:

A commitment to individual rights.

Separation of powers among the three branches of government.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 55, Objective 2.2

55) Explain the difference between a monarchy and a republic.

Feedback:

A monarchy is a form of government run by a single individual.

A republic is a form of government in which the people rule indirectly through their representatives.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 56, Objective 2.2

56) What steps did President Santa Anna take to centralize the Mexican government?

Feedback:

Sent his Vice President into exile.

Disbanded the Mexican Congress.

Dismissed the empresarios who organized local migration.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 57, Objective 2.2

57) Name a few of the grievances listed in the Texas Declaration of Independence against the Mexican government.

Feedback:

Citizens forced to alter their religion by adopting Catholicism.

Incarceration with no just cause of Stephen F. Austin.

Refused right to trial by jury.

Failed to establish public systems of education.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 58, Objective 2.3

58) Explain the concept of separation of powers.

Feedback:

A system that vests political, judicial, and policymaking authority in different branches of government.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 59, Objective 2.3

59) What were the historical circumstances surrounding the 1836 Constitution?

Feedback:

Texas declared their independence and was at war with Mexico.

This constitution provided the new republic with a governing document.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 60, Objective 2.3

60) What are some differences between the Texas Constitution of 1836 and the U.S. Constitution?

Feedback:

Texas did not allow any member of the clergy to serve in elected office.

Texas required a belief in a higher power in order serve in elected office.

Texas took steps to separate the funding of government from those who serve in it.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 61, Objective 2.4

61) What were the historical circumstances surrounding the 1845 Constitution?

Feedback:

The United States accepted Texas into the Union as a state.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 62, Objective 2.4

62) Explain the concept of a homestead law.

Feedback:

A law that prevents Texans from losing their homes.

Protection in the event of bankruptcy or other financial problems.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 63, Objective 2.5

63) What was the historical event that prompted the Constitution of 1861?

Feedback:

The outbreak of the Civil War.

Texas seceded from the Union and joined the Confederacy.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 64, Objective 2.5

64) What were the circumstances surrounding the “Readmission Constitution”?

Feedback:

The Civil War ended and Texas reentered the Union.

New rules for former Confederate states required the states to write new constitutions recognizing the U.S. Constitution and declaring allegiance to the Union.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 65, Objective 2.6

65) Explain the significance of the 1876 Constitution.

Feedback:

This is the current constitution of Texas.

Addressed growing concerns about centralized state government.

Reduced the powers of the governor’s office.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 66, Objective 2.6

66) Explain the concept of limited government.

Feedback:

A political system in which the government’s functions and powers are restricted to protect individual liberty.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 67, Objective 2.7

67) What are the steps involved in passing a constitutional amendment?

Feedback:

Two-thirds of both houses of the legislature vote to adopt a resolution to propose an amendment.

The secretary of state and the attorney general approve the proposals.

Proposals are advertised across the state.

Voters must approve the amendment by a majority vote.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 68, Objective 2.7

68) What is voter turnout like for constitutional amendment elections?

Feedback:

Participation in the process is very low.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 69, Objective 2.2

69) Explain the events leading up to the fight for Texas independence. How did these events shape the political culture of the state?

Feedback:

Mexican government (Santa Anna) took steps to centralize power.

Texans felt their right self-governance was violated.

The Declaration of Independence provides a detailed list of grievances against the Mexican government.

The list includes the imprisonment of the beloved Stephen F. Austin, along with detailed complaints about the violation of basic rights and liberties.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 70, Objective 2.5

70) Explain the reason why Texas saw three different constitutions in the 1860s. Include in your answer the relevant historical events surrounding each constitution.

Feedback:

Civil War era events caused intense political battles over slavery and political power in the South.

Largely in response to the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860, Texas began the process of secession from the United States. This was the primary event surrounding the Constitution of 1861.

The “Readmission Constitution” of 1866 was necessary after the Civil War ended. New rules for former Confederate states required the states to write new constitutions recognizing the U.S. Constitution and declaring allegiance to the Union.

The 1869 Constitution was necessary to meet the demands of reconstruction. Additional changes in the terms of Reconstruction set by the U.S. Congress forced Texas state leaders to draft another constitution.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 71, Objective 2.6

71) Describe the significance of the Constitution of the 1876. Include in your answer the core functions of the Texas government under this document.

Feedback:

The Constitution of 1876 has remained until this day.

This constitution built on the previous tenets of separation of powers and individual rights and liberties.

It responded to the centralization of power under the 1860s constitutions by greatly reducing the powers of the state.

Most significantly it reduced the powers of the governorship by creating a plural executive.

Type: essay/short answer question

Title: Chapter 02 Question 72, Objective 2.7

72) Explain the significance of constitutional amendments in Texas. Include in your answer a description of the constitutional amendment process.

Feedback:

The Constitution of 1876 has been changed through the process of constitutional amendment.

There are four steps in the constitutional amendment process.

The first step is that two-thirds of both chambers of the legislature must must vote to adopt a resolution to pass the proposal.

The second step is that the secretary of state and the attorney general have to approve the proposal.

The third step is that the proposals are advertised across the state.

The fourth step gives the voters the final say. They must approve by a simple majority vote.