PS 21A: Intro to American Politics
Midterm Exam
Answer five of the following medium-length questions (300 word limit per answer). Each
answer is 20 points each.
1) Why did the Articles of Confederation Fail? How did the Constitution help remedy the
problems created by the Articles of Confederation?
2) What were the main points of contention between the framers in designing the Constitution
and how were they resolved?
3) Most of the framers felt that the Constitution adequately protected the states against
encroachment by the national government. Why, then, has the power of the national
government expanded throughout US history?
4) Why have civil rights and racial issues been a major point of contention in U.S. federalism
between the federal government and the states? What are some of these in that have pitted
the federal government against the states in U.S. civil rights history?
5) How did the civil rights demonstrations of the 1960s change the political calculations of
politicians like President Kennedy and President Johnson? How were the demonstrations
planned strategically to increase pressure on politicians?
6) What are the main factors the Supreme Court takes into consideration when deciding
whether or not it hears a case?
7) How are federal judges are selected for their positions? How and why have the
appointment of Supreme Court judges provoked political battles in recent decades?