Question 1

The United States has one final court of last resort, the Supreme Court.Texas has

Accepted Answer

A)  only one, the Texas Supreme Court. 
B)  two, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals and the Texas Supreme Court. 
C)  two, the Texas Court of Civil Appeals and the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals. 
D)  three, numbered according to the district they service. 
E)  none, the last court of appeals is the U.S. Supreme Court.

Question 2

Many experts believe that the Texas Constitution of 1876 excessively fragments government authority and responsibility, particularly in the legislative branch.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Unwittingly, the constitutional drafters in 1875 created a legislative body that was

Accepted Answer

A)  initially full time in work but part time in pay. 
B)  easily influenced by special interest groups. 
C)  very slow to respond to changes in modern Texas. 
D)  much more powerful than anticipated. 
E)  so bogged down by procedure that legislation rarely passed.

Question 4

In what ways did the Constitution of 1835 resemble the U.S.Constitution?

Accepted Answer

The answer of In what ways did the Constitution of...

Question 5

How are the governor's powers restricted under the Texas Constitution of 1876? What led the framers of this constitution to take such steps to limit the executive?

Accepted Answer

The answer of How are the governor's powers restricted under...

Question 6

Scholars believe that constitutions should

Accepted Answer

A)  be incredibly hard to change. 
B)  be vague on general principles. 
C)  be written in a restrictive fashion. 
D)  not grant authority to specific constitutions. 
E)  include specified detailed instructions.

Question 7

List the seven constitutions under which Texas has been governed.Describe the strengths and weaknesses of each.Which do you believe to have provided the governor with the most power? Defend your answer.

Accepted Answer

The answer of List the seven constitutions under which Texas...

Question 8

The Constitution of 1876 was essentially an antigovernment charter and so did NOT

Accepted Answer

A)  put a short leash on the courts. 
B)  replace centralization with more local control. 
C)  empower the governor. 
D)  place strict limits on taxation. 
E)  limit the power of the legislature.

Question 9

The actions in the late 1860s transformed the constitutional tradition of Texas into one of resentment and distrust toward government.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 10

Texas has had seven constitutions, and understanding that legacy is critical to understanding contemporary Texas politics and public policy.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

When Texas seceded from the Union in 1861, the state constitution was not revised.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

What did the members of the Grange fight for in the creation of the Constitution of 1876?

Accepted Answer

A)  That the powers of the banks would be restricted by constitutional provisions. 
B)  Railroad companies would be free to conduct their business in any way. 
C)  That the legislature would have unlimited powers to raise taxes if necessary. 
D)  Corporations would be bound to more lenient rules than other businesses. 
E)  That agricultural activities would be highly restricted by the state government.

Question 13

Which governor of Texas refused to leave office although he had lost the election?

Accepted Answer

A)  Richard Coke 
B)  George W. Bush 
C)  Edmund Davis 
D)  William P. Clements 
E)  James Ferguson

Question 14

The first Texas constitution was adopted in

Accepted Answer

A)  1824. 
B)  1827. 
C)  1836. 
D)  1861. 
E)  1869.

Question 15

Briefly explain why the constitutional convention of 1974 failed and discuss the prospects for future change.Should the people or the courts have a say in changing the constitution?

Accepted Answer

The answer of Briefly explain why the constitutional convention of...

Question 16

Under the first Texas constitution, the governor

Accepted Answer

A)  led the state militia but had no power to enforce laws. 
B)  granted pardons and presided over the state senate. 
C)  led the state militia, granted pardons and enforced laws. 
D)  led the state militia and served as the state executioner. 
E)  led the state militia and presided over the state senate.

Question 17

After the disastrous defeat at the Alamo, the Texas army, under the command of Sam Houston, fought for a year to defeat Santa Anna's army.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Scholars believe that above all constitutions should

Accepted Answer

A)  be detailed documents so all office holders know what to do. 
B)  provide specific instructions to the branches of government. 
C)  contain restrictions to safeguard what they drafted into law. 
D)  be concise and contain universal principles. 
E)  have many amendments that fix specific problems.

Question 19

According to the text, the voters of Texas had approved 	 constitutional amendments by the end of 2011 while the U.S.Constitution has been amended _____ times since 1789, including the 10 amendments that make up the Bill of Rights.

Accepted Answer

A)  181, 35 
B)  254, 10 
C)  365, 44 
D)  474, 27 
E)  526, 51

Question 20

Under the 1876 constitution, law making authority was vested in an elected

Accepted Answer

A)  congress with a total of 254 members. 
B)  legislature with a combined membership of 151. 
C)  bicameral legislature composed of 181 members. 
D)  unicameral legislature with 140 members. 
E)  unicameral legislature with 50 members.

Exam 2: The texas constitution

The United States has one final court of last resort, the Supreme Court.Texas has

Many experts believe that the Texas Constitution of 1876 excessively fragments government authority and responsibility, particularly in the legislative branch.

Unwittingly, the constitutional drafters in 1875 created a legislative body that was

In what ways did the Constitution of 1835 resemble the U.S.Constitution?

How are the governor's powers restricted under the Texas Constitution of 1876? What led the framers of this constitution to take such steps to limit the executive?

Scholars believe that constitutions should

List the seven constitutions under which Texas has been governed.Describe the strengths and weaknesses of each.Which do you believe to have provided the governor with the most power? Defend your answer.

The Constitution of 1876 was essentially an antigovernment charter and so did NOT

The actions in the late 1860s transformed the constitutional tradition of Texas into one of resentment and distrust toward government.

Texas has had seven constitutions, and understanding that legacy is critical to understanding contemporary Texas politics and public policy.

When Texas seceded from the Union in 1861, the state constitution was not revised.

What did the members of the Grange fight for in the creation of the Constitution of 1876?

Which governor of Texas refused to leave office although he had lost the election?

The first Texas constitution was adopted in

Briefly explain why the constitutional convention of 1974 failed and discuss the prospects for future change.Should the people or the courts have a say in changing the constitution?

Under the first Texas constitution, the governor

After the disastrous defeat at the Alamo, the Texas army, under the command of Sam Houston, fought for a year to defeat Santa Anna's army.

Scholars believe that above all constitutions should

According to the text, the voters of Texas had approved constitutional amendments by the end of 2011 while the U.S.Constitution has been amended _____ times since 1789, including the 10 amendments that make up the Bill of Rights.

Under the 1876 constitution, law making authority was vested in an elected