Question 1

What principal historic event shaped the 1866 Texas Constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  Texas joining the southern Confederacy 
B)  Texas seeking reinstatement into the Union after the Civil War 
C)  Texas re-seeking full independence 
D)  Texas proposing the division of the state 
E)  Texas signing the Treaty of Guadalupe 
A)  Texas joining the southern Confederacy 
B)  Texas seeking reinstatement into the Union after the Civil War 
C)  Texas re-seeking full independence 
D)  Texas proposing the division of the state 
E)  Texas signing the Treaty of Guadalupe

Question 2

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current Texas Constitution? How can it be revised? Why is revision so difficult?

Accepted Answer

The current Texas Constitution has sever

Question 3

Which of the following is not part of the formal amendment process for state constitutional amendments?

Accepted Answer

A)  Three-fifths vote of a joint resolution in the state legislature 
B)  Explanatory statements prepared and published on social media sites 
C)  Signature of the governor 
D)  Simple majority of the voters who vote in the election 
E)  Review and legal opinion of the attorney general 
A)  Three-fifths vote of a joint resolution in the state legislature 
B)  Explanatory statements prepared and published on social media sites 
C)  Signature of the governor 
D)  Simple majority of the voters who vote in the election 
E)  Review and legal opinion of the attorney general

Question 4

Explain how the Texas Constitution is more protective of certain rights than the U.S.Constitution.

Accepted Answer

The Texas Constitution is more protectiv

Question 5

Where is the "Legislative Department" of Texas government provided for in the state constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  Article I 
B)  Article III 
C)  Article IX 
D)  Article XX 
E)  Article II 
A)  Article I 
B)  Article III 
C)  Article IX 
D)  Article XX 
E)  Article II

Question 6

Which of the following statements regarding most constitutional amendments adopted in Texas is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  They were struck down by the voters. 
B)  They were surrounded by controversy and national attention. 
C)  They were necessary because of the detailed nature of the state's constitution. 
D)  They were not needed in order for the legislature to deal with the specific issues. 
E)  They required a two-thirds vote for ratification. 
A)  They were struck down by the voters. 
B)  They were surrounded by controversy and national attention. 
C)  They were necessary because of the detailed nature of the state's constitution. 
D)  They were not needed in order for the legislature to deal with the specific issues. 
E)  They required a two-thirds vote for ratification.

Question 7

What did the Texas Constitution of 1869 do to meet the demands of Reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

A)  Disenfranchised freed slaves 
B)  Enfranchised prominent whites 
C)  Diminished military rule 
D)  Guaranteed political appointments to freed slaves 
E)  Enfranchised freed slaves,disenfranchised some whites,and imposed military rule 
A)  Disenfranchised freed slaves 
B)  Enfranchised prominent whites 
C)  Diminished military rule 
D)  Guaranteed political appointments to freed slaves 
E)  Enfranchised freed slaves,disenfranchised some whites,and imposed military rule

Question 8

If you were a member of a constitutional convention,what change would you propose regarding the structure and function of one of the three branches of government?

Accepted Answer

If I were a member of a constitutional c

Question 9

White Texans reacted negatively against Governor Edmund (E.J. )Davis because of which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A)  The freedom of black slaves and government efforts to protect them 
B)  The defeat of "Texicans" at the Alamo 
C)  T.R.Fehrenbach's negative characterization of slaves 
D)  Governor Davis's support of slavery and the Confederacy 
E)  Governor Davis's reluctance to impose martial law across the state 
A)  The freedom of black slaves and government efforts to protect them 
B)  The defeat of "Texicans" at the Alamo 
C)  T.R.Fehrenbach's negative characterization of slaves 
D)  Governor Davis's support of slavery and the Confederacy 
E)  Governor Davis's reluctance to impose martial law across the state

Question 10

Which of the following statements regarding the Constitution of 1836 is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  It was modeled on that of Mexico. 
B)  It was Texas's first state constitution. 
C)  It was the governing instrument for the Republic of Texas. 
D)  It was unwritten. 
E)  It ushered in the era of Reconstruction. 
A)  It was modeled on that of Mexico. 
B)  It was Texas's first state constitution. 
C)  It was the governing instrument for the Republic of Texas. 
D)  It was unwritten. 
E)  It ushered in the era of Reconstruction.

Question 11

Describe the individuals and groups that played a role in drafting the Texas Constitution of 1876 and the sentiments held by those individuals and groups that resulted in the specific governmental design it set forth.

Accepted Answer

The drafting of the Texas Constitution o

Question 12

What did the Supreme Court rule after considering Texas's challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?

Accepted Answer

A)  The U.S.government may penalize those without insurance but may not withdraw Medicaid funding from states that refuse to expand the program. 
B)  The entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. 
C)  The U.S.government may withdraw Medicaid funding from states that refuse to expand the program but may not penalize those without insurance. 
D)  The entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is constitutional. 
E)  The U.S.government cannot penalize those without insurance and may withdraw Medicaid funding from states that refuse to expand the program. 
A)  The U.S.government may penalize those without insurance but may not withdraw Medicaid funding from states that refuse to expand the program. 
B)  The entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional. 
C)  The U.S.government may withdraw Medicaid funding from states that refuse to expand the program but may not penalize those without insurance. 
D)  The entire Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act is constitutional. 
E)  The U.S.government cannot penalize those without insurance and may withdraw Medicaid funding from states that refuse to expand the program.

Question 13

What powers may the Texas government exercise due to the prevailing political philosophy among delegates in 1875?

Accepted Answer

A)  Any powers it chooses 
B)  Any powers not prohibited by the Texas Constitution 
C)  Only those powers specified in the Texas Constitution 
D)  Only those powers defined by the Texas Supreme Court 
E)  Any reserved powers due to the Tenth Amendment to the U.S.Constitution 
A)  Any powers it chooses 
B)  Any powers not prohibited by the Texas Constitution 
C)  Only those powers specified in the Texas Constitution 
D)  Only those powers defined by the Texas Supreme Court 
E)  Any reserved powers due to the Tenth Amendment to the U.S.Constitution

Question 14

Which of these is protected by the Texas Bill of Rights but not by the U.S.Bill of Rights?

Accepted Answer

A)  Rights of crime victims 
B)  The right to keep and bear arms 
C)  The right to engage in libel and slander 
D)  Freedom of the press 
E)  Freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances 
A)  Rights of crime victims 
B)  The right to keep and bear arms 
C)  The right to engage in libel and slander 
D)  Freedom of the press 
E)  Freedom to petition the government for a redress of grievances

Question 15

Describe the three sections of the Texas Bill of Rights that contain philosophical observations that have no direct force of law.

Accepted Answer

The three sections of the Texas Bill of

Question 16

In which of the following ways can the federal government influence state policymaking?

Accepted Answer

A)  Directly elect state officials 
B)  Directly legislate for the state 
C)  Place states in receivership 
D)  Offer federal grants-in-aid 
E)  Deny federal grants-in-aid 
A)  Directly elect state officials 
B)  Directly legislate for the state 
C)  Place states in receivership 
D)  Offer federal grants-in-aid 
E)  Deny federal grants-in-aid

Question 17

Explain how 11 of Article I's sections provide protections for people and property against arbitrary government actions.Are any of the rights found in the Texas Constitution also protected under the U.S.Constitution,thus guaranteeing Texans rights in both national and state constitutions? Provide examples.

Accepted Answer

Article I of the U.S. Constitution conta

Question 18

Which of the following statements regarding voter turnout for constitutional amendment elections is true?

Accepted Answer

A)  It may reach 50 percent if there is enough controversy. 
B)  It is always around 40 to 50 percent. 
C)  It is low unless it is for an education issue. 
D)  It is typically low. 
E)  It is as high as the turnout during the most recent presidential election. 
A)  It may reach 50 percent if there is enough controversy. 
B)  It is always around 40 to 50 percent. 
C)  It is low unless it is for an education issue. 
D)  It is typically low. 
E)  It is as high as the turnout during the most recent presidential election.

Question 19

What does the U.S.Constitution's national supremacy clause say?

Accepted Answer

A)  State laws take precedence over federal laws. 
B)  Federal laws enacted under the U.S.Constitution take precedence over state laws. 
C)  State constitutions are supreme over the national Constitution. 
D)  Laws passed by Congress take precedence over the U.S.Constitution. 
E)  All laws are to be interpreted by the U.S.Supreme Court. 
A)  State laws take precedence over federal laws. 
B)  Federal laws enacted under the U.S.Constitution take precedence over state laws. 
C)  State constitutions are supreme over the national Constitution. 
D)  Laws passed by Congress take precedence over the U.S.Constitution. 
E)  All laws are to be interpreted by the U.S.Supreme Court.

Question 20

Trace the history of constitutional development in Texas between 1827 and 1845.Describe the historical and political events that led to the creation of the Republic of Texas and then to the admission of Texas as a state within the United States.

Accepted Answer

The constitutional development in Texas

What principal historic event shaped the 1866 Texas Constitution?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current Texas Constitution? How can it be revised? Why is revision so difficult?

Which of the following is not part of the formal amendment process for state constitutional amendments?

Explain how the Texas Constitution is more protective of certain rights than the U.S.Constitution.

Where is the "Legislative Department" of Texas government provided for in the state constitution?

Which of the following statements regarding most constitutional amendments adopted in Texas is true?

What did the Texas Constitution of 1869 do to meet the demands of Reconstruction?

If you were a member of a constitutional convention,what change would you propose regarding the structure and function of one of the three branches of government?

White Texans reacted negatively against Governor Edmund (E.J. )Davis because of which of the following?

Which of the following statements regarding the Constitution of 1836 is true?

Describe the individuals and groups that played a role in drafting the Texas Constitution of 1876 and the sentiments held by those individuals and groups that resulted in the specific governmental design it set forth.

What did the Supreme Court rule after considering Texas's challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?

What powers may the Texas government exercise due to the prevailing political philosophy among delegates in 1875?

Which of these is protected by the Texas Bill of Rights but not by the U.S.Bill of Rights?

Describe the three sections of the Texas Bill of Rights that contain philosophical observations that have no direct force of law.

In which of the following ways can the federal government influence state policymaking?

Which of the following statements regarding voter turnout for constitutional amendment elections is true?

What does the U.S.Constitution's national supremacy clause say?

Trace the history of constitutional development in Texas between 1827 and 1845.Describe the historical and political events that led to the creation of the Republic of Texas and then to the admission of Texas as a state within the United States.

The Environment of Texas Politics

Local Governments

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

The Media and Politics

The Politics of Interest Groups

The Legislative Branch

The Executive Branch

The Judicial Branch

Finance and Fiscal Policy

Public Policy and Administration

The Criminal Justice System

Filters

Exam 2: Federalism and the Texas Constitution

What principal historic event shaped the 1866 Texas Constitution?

What are the strengths and weaknesses of the current Texas Constitution? How can it be revised? Why is revision so difficult?

Which of the following is not part of the formal amendment process for state constitutional amendments?

Explain how the Texas Constitution is more protective of certain rights than the U.S.Constitution.

Where is the "Legislative Department" of Texas government provided for in the state constitution?

Which of the following statements regarding most constitutional amendments adopted in Texas is true?

What did the Texas Constitution of 1869 do to meet the demands of Reconstruction?

If you were a member of a constitutional convention,what change would you propose regarding the structure and function of one of the three branches of government?

White Texans reacted negatively against Governor Edmund (E.J. )Davis because of which of the following?

Which of the following statements regarding the Constitution of 1836 is true?

Describe the individuals and groups that played a role in drafting the Texas Constitution of 1876 and the sentiments held by those individuals and groups that resulted in the specific governmental design it set forth.

What did the Supreme Court rule after considering Texas's challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act?

What powers may the Texas government exercise due to the prevailing political philosophy among delegates in 1875?

Which of these is protected by the Texas Bill of Rights but not by the U.S.Bill of Rights?

Describe the three sections of the Texas Bill of Rights that contain philosophical observations that have no direct force of law.

In which of the following ways can the federal government influence state policymaking?

Which of the following statements regarding voter turnout for constitutional amendment elections is true?

What does the U.S.Constitution's national supremacy clause say?

Trace the history of constitutional development in Texas between 1827 and 1845.Describe the historical and political events that led to the creation of the Republic of Texas and then to the admission of Texas as a state within the United States.

The Environment of Texas Politics

Local Governments

Political Parties

Campaigns and Elections

The Media and Politics

The Politics of Interest Groups

The Legislative Branch

The Executive Branch

The Judicial Branch

Finance and Fiscal Policy

Public Policy and Administration

The Criminal Justice System

Filters