Question 1

What was the main criticism of the current Texas Constitution behind the Ratliff-Junell proposal for a new constitution?

Accepted Answer

A)  The constitution gave the executive branch too much power over the legislative process. 
B)  The constitution allowed for too many corrupt interest groups to control Texas politics. 
C)  The constitution was too old to be representative of modern people. 
D)  The constitution was too restrictive and cumbersome for contemporary government. 
E)  The constitution was too easy to amend. 
A)  The constitution gave the executive branch too much power over the legislative process. 
B)  The constitution allowed for too many corrupt interest groups to control Texas politics. 
C)  The constitution was too old to be representative of modern people. 
D)  The constitution was too restrictive and cumbersome for contemporary government. 
E)  The constitution was too easy to amend.

Question 2

In the United States, checks and balances allow each branch of government to limit the other branches and in so doing support the principle of

Accepted Answer

A)  legitimacy. 
B)  popular sovereignty. 
C)  separation of powers. 
D)  judicial review. 
E)  division of labor. 
A)  legitimacy. 
B)  popular sovereignty. 
C)  separation of powers. 
D)  judicial review. 
E)  division of labor.

Question 3

What is the function of a state constitution? In what ways are the Texas and the U.S. constitutions similar in principle? What are some of the key differences between the Texas and U.S. constitutions?

Accepted Answer

The function of a state constitution is

Question 4

The Texas Constitution makes no requirements for the establishment and upkeep of a public school system.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 5

The supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution states that

Accepted Answer

A)  the constitution of Texas is the supreme law in Texas. 
B)  laws passed by the national government are supreme over all state laws. 
C)  the president is the supreme government authority throughout the United States. 
D)  all laws passed by the Texas legislature are supreme, even if they conflict with federal laws. 
E)  state laws take precedence over national laws when they conflict. 
A)  the constitution of Texas is the supreme law in Texas. 
B)  laws passed by the national government are supreme over all state laws. 
C)  the president is the supreme government authority throughout the United States. 
D)  all laws passed by the Texas legislature are supreme, even if they conflict with federal laws. 
E)  state laws take precedence over national laws when they conflict.

Question 6

The Texas Constitution was written to

Accepted Answer

A)  prevent a direct reflection of the difference in its framers' underlying goals. 
B)  overcome the liabilities of the Articles of Confederation. 
C)  create a government that could act effectively in the public welfare in a variety of policy areas. 
D)  prevent the expansion of governmental authority and the return of a system of political power that was perceived as acting against the interest of the people. 
E)  prevent turning what might appear to be matters of public policy into issues of constitutional authority. 
A)  prevent a direct reflection of the difference in its framers' underlying goals. 
B)  overcome the liabilities of the Articles of Confederation. 
C)  create a government that could act effectively in the public welfare in a variety of policy areas. 
D)  prevent the expansion of governmental authority and the return of a system of political power that was perceived as acting against the interest of the people. 
E)  prevent turning what might appear to be matters of public policy into issues of constitutional authority.

Question 7

The Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974

Accepted Answer

A)  had delegates selected from the public by popular vote. 
B)  was composed of members of the Texas House and Legislative Council. 
C)  adopted a proposed constitution by a two-thirds vote. 
D)  failed to agree on a proposed constitution. 
E)  resulted in election of Dolph Briscoe, making him the first governor in the history of the state not to receive a majority of the popular vote. 
A)  had delegates selected from the public by popular vote. 
B)  was composed of members of the Texas House and Legislative Council. 
C)  adopted a proposed constitution by a two-thirds vote. 
D)  failed to agree on a proposed constitution. 
E)  resulted in election of Dolph Briscoe, making him the first governor in the history of the state not to receive a majority of the popular vote.

Question 8

The current Texas Constitution borrowed all of the following from the Constitution of 1827 EXCEPT

Accepted Answer

A)  the establishment of Catholicism as the state religion. 
B)  a guarantee of citizens' rights to liberty, security, property, and equality. 
C)  the curtailment of the spread of slavery. 
D)  the legislature's order to promote education. 
E)  the legislature's establishment of freedom of the press. 
A)  the establishment of Catholicism as the state religion. 
B)  a guarantee of citizens' rights to liberty, security, property, and equality. 
C)  the curtailment of the spread of slavery. 
D)  the legislature's order to promote education. 
E)  the legislature's establishment of freedom of the press.

Question 9

The Texas Constitution requires which of the following for amendment?

Accepted Answer

A)  a two-thirds vote in both houses of the state legislature and a majority vote from the voters of Texas 
B)  only a majority vote from the voters of Texas 
C)  the governor's signature 
D)  a two-thirds vote in county conventions convened for the purpose of amending the constitution 
E)  a majority vote in both houses of the state legislature 
A)  a two-thirds vote in both houses of the state legislature and a majority vote from the voters of Texas 
B)  only a majority vote from the voters of Texas 
C)  the governor's signature 
D)  a two-thirds vote in county conventions convened for the purpose of amending the constitution 
E)  a majority vote in both houses of the state legislature

Question 10

The current Texas Constitution has been amended more than four hundred times.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Which of the following statements best describes the structure of the Texas legislature?

Accepted Answer

A)  Since independence from Mexico, Texas has had a bicameral legislature. 
B)  Texas's first unicameral legislature was established while the state was a member of the Confederacy. 
C)  Texas has always had a unicameral legislature. 
D)  Texas created the idea of a unicameral legislature. 
E)  Texas has a plural legislature divided up into six different chambers. 
A)  Since independence from Mexico, Texas has had a bicameral legislature. 
B)  Texas's first unicameral legislature was established while the state was a member of the Confederacy. 
C)  Texas has always had a unicameral legislature. 
D)  Texas created the idea of a unicameral legislature. 
E)  Texas has a plural legislature divided up into six different chambers.

Question 12

What was Texas's most progressive constitution in terms of power and organization?

Accepted Answer

A)  the Constitution of the Republic of Texas 
B)  the "statehood constitution" of 1845 
C)  the Civil War Constitution of 1861 
D)  the Constitution of 1869 
E)  the Constitution of 1867 
A)  the Constitution of the Republic of Texas 
B)  the "statehood constitution" of 1845 
C)  the Civil War Constitution of 1861 
D)  the Constitution of 1869 
E)  the Constitution of 1867

Question 13

Conservative rancher/banker Dolph Briscoe was the first governor in the history of the state not to receive a majority of the popular vote.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 14

________ dominated the secession convention of 1861.

Accepted Answer

A)  Landowners and cattlemen 
B)  Lawyers and slaveholders 
C)  Supporters of Governor Sam Houston 
D)  Supporters of succession 
E)  Texas Supreme Court justices 
A)  Landowners and cattlemen 
B)  Lawyers and slaveholders 
C)  Supporters of Governor Sam Houston 
D)  Supporters of succession 
E)  Texas Supreme Court justices

Question 15

The Mexican War of Independence against ________ grew out of the ________.

Accepted Answer

A)  Spain; Napoleonic Wars 
B)  France; French Revolution 
C)  Spain; U.S. War of Independence 
D)  the United States; U.S. War of Independence 
E)  Spain; War of 1812 
A)  Spain; Napoleonic Wars 
B)  France; French Revolution 
C)  Spain; U.S. War of Independence 
D)  the United States; U.S. War of Independence 
E)  Spain; War of 1812

Question 16

There have been no serious attempts in recent years to change the Texas Constitution.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 17

Describe the history of the multiple Texas constitutions before and during Texas independence. What were the main effects of Mexican rule? How did this heritage shape the structure of the constitution of the Republic of Texas?

Accepted Answer

The history of the multiple Texas consti

Question 18

Describe the particular historical condition under which the Constitution of 1876 was drafted. What were some of the main principles behind the Constitution of 1876? What are some of the most important aspects of the constitution that reflect the political philosophy of its framers?

Accepted Answer

The Constitution of 1876 was drafted in

Question 19

The majority of delegates to the Convention of 1836 that drafted the constitution for a
Newly independent Republic of Texas were from

Accepted Answer

A)  Texas. 
B)  slave-owning southern states. 
C)  New England and New York. 
D)  Mexico. 
E)  Spain. 
A)  Texas. 
B)  slave-owning southern states. 
C)  New England and New York. 
D)  Mexico. 
E)  Spain.

Question 20

The Texas Constitution of 1869 was created

Accepted Answer

A)  because Texas needed a new constitution when it joined the Confederacy. 
B)  by members of the Texas Republican Party. 
C)  in order to limit the power of state government. 
D)  as a reaction against Reconstruction. 
E)  to abolish slavery. 
A)  because Texas needed a new constitution when it joined the Confederacy. 
B)  by members of the Texas Republican Party. 
C)  in order to limit the power of state government. 
D)  as a reaction against Reconstruction. 
E)  to abolish slavery.

What was the main criticism of the current Texas Constitution behind the Ratliff-Junell proposal for a new constitution?

In the United States, checks and balances allow each branch of government to limit the other branches and in so doing support the principle of

What is the function of a state constitution? In what ways are the Texas and the U.S. constitutions similar in principle? What are some of the key differences between the Texas and U.S. constitutions?

The Texas Constitution makes no requirements for the establishment and upkeep of a public school system.

The supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution states that

The Texas Constitution was written to

The Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974

The current Texas Constitution borrowed all of the following from the Constitution of 1827 EXCEPT

The Texas Constitution requires which of the following for amendment?

The current Texas Constitution has been amended more than four hundred times.

Which of the following statements best describes the structure of the Texas legislature?

What was Texas's most progressive constitution in terms of power and organization?

Conservative rancher/banker Dolph Briscoe was the first governor in the history of the state not to receive a majority of the popular vote.

________ dominated the secession convention of 1861.

The Mexican War of Independence against grew out of the .

There have been no serious attempts in recent years to change the Texas Constitution.

Describe the history of the multiple Texas constitutions before and during Texas independence. What were the main effects of Mexican rule? How did this heritage shape the structure of the constitution of the Republic of Texas?

Describe the particular historical condition under which the Constitution of 1876 was drafted. What were some of the main principles behind the Constitution of 1876? What are some of the most important aspects of the constitution that reflect the political philosophy of its framers?

The majority of delegates to the Convention of 1836 that drafted the constitution for a Newly independent Republic of Texas were from

The Texas Constitution of 1869 was created

The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

Texas in the Federal System

Political Parties in Texas

Elections in Texas

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Texas Legislature

The Texas Executive Branch

The Texas Judiciary

Local Government in Texas

Public Finance in Texas

Public Policy in Texas

Crime and Corrections Policy in Texas

Filters

Exam 2: The Texas Constitution

What was the main criticism of the current Texas Constitution behind the Ratliff-Junell proposal for a new constitution?

In the United States, checks and balances allow each branch of government to limit the other branches and in so doing support the principle of

What is the function of a state constitution? In what ways are the Texas and the U.S. constitutions similar in principle? What are some of the key differences between the Texas and U.S. constitutions?

The Texas Constitution makes no requirements for the establishment and upkeep of a public school system.

The supremacy clause of the U.S. Constitution states that

The Texas Constitution was written to

The Texas Constitutional Convention of 1974

The current Texas Constitution borrowed all of the following from the Constitution of 1827 EXCEPT

The Texas Constitution requires which of the following for amendment?

The current Texas Constitution has been amended more than four hundred times.

Which of the following statements best describes the structure of the Texas legislature?

What was Texas's most progressive constitution in terms of power and organization?

Conservative rancher/banker Dolph Briscoe was the first governor in the history of the state not to receive a majority of the popular vote.

________ dominated the secession convention of 1861.

The Mexican War of Independence against ________ grew out of the ________.

There have been no serious attempts in recent years to change the Texas Constitution.

Describe the history of the multiple Texas constitutions before and during Texas independence. What were the main effects of Mexican rule? How did this heritage shape the structure of the constitution of the Republic of Texas?

Describe the particular historical condition under which the Constitution of 1876 was drafted. What were some of the main principles behind the Constitution of 1876? What are some of the most important aspects of the constitution that reflect the political philosophy of its framers?

The majority of delegates to the Convention of 1836 that drafted the constitution for a Newly independent Republic of Texas were from

The Texas Constitution of 1869 was created

The Political Culture, People, and Economy of Texas

Texas in the Federal System

Political Parties in Texas

Elections in Texas

Interest Groups and Lobbying

The Texas Legislature

The Texas Executive Branch

The Texas Judiciary

Local Government in Texas

Public Finance in Texas

Public Policy in Texas

Crime and Corrections Policy in Texas

Filters

The Mexican War of Independence against grew out of the .