American Government Semester Exam Fall 2015: Part 1
1. Where did government come from? List the 4 main theories and summarize the key idea of
each.
2. Give a historical example of government forming according to each of the four main theories.
3. Explain the main ideas that are influences on our own government that come from the writings
of John Locke.
4. Who has power in each of the following?: autocracy, monarchy, dictatorship, oligarchy,
republic, democracy.
5. What is unique about the Alabama state constitution?
6. When was Alabama admitted as a state?
7. Define popular sovereignty. Explain why it is such an important concept in the Constitution.
8. Why do we have a bicameral legislature? How did this come about at the Constitutional
Convention?
9. Why did the bigger states favor the VA plan and smaller states prefer the New Jersey Plan at the
Constitutional Convention?
10. What was the “Great Compromise” about?
11. Explain the 3/5 Compromise.
12. Define each of the following and give at least one example: expressed, implied, inherent,
enumerated, concurrent, reserved powers.
13. What does each of the 7 articles of the Constitution deal with? What’s the main topic of each?
14. List two specific examples of checks and balances over each of the branches:
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Congress over the executive:

Executive over Congress:
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Congress over the Courts:

Courts over Congress:
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President over the Courts:
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Courts over the President:
15. Who has the power to declare war, according to the Constitution?
16. What is federalism? Why did the Framers choose a federal system?
17. Why did we decide to scrap the Articles of Confederation? Why not just amend them?
18. How did Shays’ Rebellion play a role in support for a stronger central government?
19. List and explain two weaknesses of the government under the Articles of Confederation.
American Government Final Exam Study Guide Part 2
20. List and define the amendments that expanded suffrage (right to vote).
21. What is due process? Where is it guaranteed in the Constitution? (two places)
22. Why is Marbury v. Madison the most important Supreme Court decision ever?
23. Explain the doctrine of implied powers. What is it based on in the Constitution?
24. What is the Establishment clause? What does it say, what does this mean, and where do we
find it in the Constitution?
25. Why do we take a census every 10 years? What does it have to do with the House of
Representatives?
26. What’s gerrymandering? How is it used to gain political advantage?
27. Explain how “packing” and “cracking” are used as gerrymandering tactics.
28. List the constitutional requirements to run for House and Senate.
29. How long are terms for House, Senate and President?
30. How long is the term for federal court judge or Supreme Court justice?
31. Explain the “rule of four”.
32. Explain the following legal terms: writ of certiorari, majority opinion, minority opinion.
33. How many electoral votes does each state get? How is this determined? How many does
Alabama get?
34. How many electoral votes do you need to win the presidency? How many would you get if you
won unanimously?
35. What happens if there is a tie in the electoral college?
36. What is a “winner-take-all” election?
37. Are we likely to reform the electoral college any time soon? Why or why not?
38. Who becomes president following the president and vice president?
39. Create a flow chart to show how a bill becomes a law. Use at least 8 steps. Be specific!
40. How does “pork barrel” legislation help members of Congress get re-elected?
41. What are the “advantages of incumbency?”
42. How many departments make up the President’s Cabinet?
43. Which cabinet agency is the newest? When was it created?
44. How do cabinet members get their jobs?
45. What is the EOP? Why is it part of the executive branch?
46. Give examples of 3 agencies within the EOP.
47. What is a government corporation? Give examples of two.
48. What is an independent regulatory commission? Why do we need them? Give two examples.
CONTINUED
American Government Final Exam Study Guide Part 3
49. What is an independent agency? What are they independent from? Give two examples.
50. How do we make a budget for the United States? Explain the basic steps.
51. What is deficit spending?
52. What is the national debt? How large is it? (approximately)
53. What are the major categories of government spending found in the budget?
54. What is an entitlement? Give two examples of entitlement programs.
55. Why is it so hard to cut government spending?
56. Do you remember all of your amendments? Find the list of online games we used on the blog
and review! You will definitely see several of the amendments again!
Reminders:
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Be sure to also review all 27 amendments
Look over the vocabulary for every chapter we have covered
Use the powerpoints on the blog to help you review.
The test is 100 questions/all scantron/worth 20% of your grade in the class.
Be sure you bring a pencil to class!