An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution 

  1. Essay questions for GOVERMENT 2305
  2. 1. Name three problems which occurred under the Articles of Confederation and discuss each briefly. What were three major compromises of the Constitutional Convention?  Briefly describe the problem and the solution found in each compromise. Do you subscribe to historian Charles Beard’s perspective which he presented in An Economic Interpretation of the Constitution (1913)?  Why or why not?
  3. 2. Describe the leadership in Congress, and explain the primary responsibilities of each position.  Include the names of those people who currently hold these leadership positions.
  4. 3. List and explain the constitutional powers of the president of the United States.   Be sure to include the constitutional qualifications for the presidency.  Which one of these powers do you believe is most important?  Why?
  5. 4. Discuss the First Amendment’s projections for freedom of religion.  Distinguish between an “establishment of religion” and “free exercise.”  Make sure to include all relevant Supreme Court cases.
  6. 5. Explain how cases get to the Supreme Court and relate how the Court makes its decisions. What determines the outcome? What is the term of the Court? How are the members selected? What are four types of opinions at the Supreme Court (Majority, minority, etc.)?  Define each opinion accordingly.