This excerpt is from a 1987 speech by U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall.
"I do not believe that the meaning of the Constitution was forever "fixed" at the Philadelphia Convention. Nor do I find the wisdom, foresight, and sense of justice exhibited by the Framers particularly profound. To the contrary, the government they devised was defective from the start, requiring several amendments, a civil war, and momentous social transformation to attain the system of constitutional government, and its respect for the individual freedoms and human rights, we hold as fundamental today. When contemporary Americans cite "The Constitution," they invoke concept that is vastly different from what the Framers barely began to construct two centurie ago... When the Founding Fathers used this phrase [We, the People) in 1787, they did not have in mind the majority of America's citizens. "We the People" included, in the words of the Framers, "the whole Number of free Persons."
This excerpt is from a 1987 speech by President Ronald Reagan.
“In a very real sense, it was then, in 1787, that the Revolution truly began. For it was with the writing of our Constitution, setting down the architecture of democratic government, that the noble sentiments and brave rhetoric of 1776 took on substance....
All men are created equal and endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights-until that moment some might have said that was just a high-blown sentiment, the dreams of a few philosophers and their hot-headed followers. But could one really construct a government, run a country, with such idealistic notions? But once those ideals took root in living, functioning institutions, once those notions became a nation-well, then, as I said, the revolution could really begin, not just in America but around the world, a revolution to free man from tyranny of every sort and secure his freedom the only way possible in this world, through the checks and balances and institutions of limited, democratic government.â€
What basic assumption behind Marshall's remarks is not behind Reagan's remarks?
- A. The framers of the U.S. Constitution have received more credit than they deserve for the governmental protections Americans enjoy.
- B. The framers of the U.S. Constitution have been credited with creating a document that protects all free people around the world.
- C. The U.S. Constitution created a government whose promises are yet to be realized by many around the world.
- D. The U.S. Constitution created a government based on the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Marshall's remarks imply a critical view of the framers' contributions, suggesting they may not deserve as much credit for governmental protections as commonly believed. This contrasts with Reagan's perspective, which typically emphasizes the positive legacy of the framers. Option B incorrectly assumes that both figures share the belief in the global impact of the Constitution, which Reagan often highlighted. Option C suggests an acknowledgment of unrealized promises, aligning with both perspectives, while option D reinforces a foundational agreement on principles that both figures would likely support. Thus, A stands out as the unique assumption absent in Reagan's remarks.
Marshall's remarks imply a critical view of the framers' contributions, suggesting they may not deserve as much credit for governmental protections as commonly believed. This contrasts with Reagan's perspective, which typically emphasizes the positive legacy of the framers. Option B incorrectly assumes that both figures share the belief in the global impact of the Constitution, which Reagan often highlighted. Option C suggests an acknowledgment of unrealized promises, aligning with both perspectives, while option D reinforces a foundational agreement on principles that both figures would likely support. Thus, A stands out as the unique assumption absent in Reagan's remarks.
Other Related Questions
Which prediction is supported by both graphs?
- A. The average wage for farm workers will decrease..
- B. The average cost for agricultural produce will decrease.
- C. The operating cost of running a farm will increase.
- D. The number of people required for producing food will increase.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C is supported by both graphs, indicating an upward trend in operational costs due to factors like inflation and increased resource prices. This aligns with economic patterns observed in the agricultural sector. Option A is incorrect as both graphs do not show a decline in farm worker wages; rather, they suggest stability or growth. Option B is misleading; the graphs do not reflect a decrease in agricultural produce costs, which often correlate with rising operational expenses. Option D is also unsupported, as the data does not indicate an increase in labor requirements, but rather highlights efficiency improvements in farming practices.
Option C is supported by both graphs, indicating an upward trend in operational costs due to factors like inflation and increased resource prices. This aligns with economic patterns observed in the agricultural sector. Option A is incorrect as both graphs do not show a decline in farm worker wages; rather, they suggest stability or growth. Option B is misleading; the graphs do not reflect a decrease in agricultural produce costs, which often correlate with rising operational expenses. Option D is also unsupported, as the data does not indicate an increase in labor requirements, but rather highlights efficiency improvements in farming practices.
Which event counters the viewpoint expressed in the newspaper excerpt that African Americans refused to defend their civil rights?
- A. the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
- B. the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation
- C. the founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
- D. the start of the Great Migration
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) directly counters the viewpoint that African Americans refused to defend their civil rights. Established in 1909, the NAACP actively fought for civil rights through legal challenges, advocacy, and public education, demonstrating a strong commitment to defending their rights. Option A, the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, although significant, primarily established legal rights rather than showcasing active defense. Option B, the Emancipation Proclamation, ended slavery but did not directly address civil rights activism. Option D, the Great Migration, reflects a movement for better opportunities but does not specifically illustrate organized efforts to defend civil rights.
The founding of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) directly counters the viewpoint that African Americans refused to defend their civil rights. Established in 1909, the NAACP actively fought for civil rights through legal challenges, advocacy, and public education, demonstrating a strong commitment to defending their rights. Option A, the ratification of the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments, although significant, primarily established legal rights rather than showcasing active defense. Option B, the Emancipation Proclamation, ended slavery but did not directly address civil rights activism. Option D, the Great Migration, reflects a movement for better opportunities but does not specifically illustrate organized efforts to defend civil rights.
Which historical event most likely shaped the author's point of view?
- A. the development of the concept of Manifest Destiny
- B. the United States' involvement in World War I
- C. the United States' internal conflicts during the Great Depression
- D. the calls for social reform during Prohibition
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
The author's perspective is significantly influenced by the United States' involvement in World War I, as this event marked a pivotal shift in national identity and global engagement. The war prompted discussions about democracy, freedom, and the role of the U.S. on the world stage, shaping the author's views on these themes. Option A, Manifest Destiny, pertains to 19th-century expansionism, which is less relevant to the author's context. Option C, the Great Depression, focuses on economic struggles rather than the broader geopolitical implications of war. Option D, social reform during Prohibition, addresses domestic issues but does not encompass the global impact and ideological shifts brought about by World War I.
The author's perspective is significantly influenced by the United States' involvement in World War I, as this event marked a pivotal shift in national identity and global engagement. The war prompted discussions about democracy, freedom, and the role of the U.S. on the world stage, shaping the author's views on these themes. Option A, Manifest Destiny, pertains to 19th-century expansionism, which is less relevant to the author's context. Option C, the Great Depression, focuses on economic struggles rather than the broader geopolitical implications of war. Option D, social reform during Prohibition, addresses domestic issues but does not encompass the global impact and ideological shifts brought about by World War I.
How does the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling differ from Justice Murphy's dissent?
- A. Only Justice Murphy's dissent acknowledged the dangers to the United States of having citizens from foreign lands.
- B. Only the Court's ruling acknowledged that the actions of fearful U.S. authorities can endanger the civil rights of citizens.
- C. Only the Court's ruling contended that Korematsu was ordered held in an internment camp because he was disloyal to the United States during time of war.
- D. Only Justice Murphy's dissent contended that U.S. internment camps were a clear-cut example of racial prejudice.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Justice Murphy's dissent emphasized that the internment camps represented blatant racial prejudice, highlighting the unjust targeting of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This perspective contrasts sharply with the majority opinion, which focused on national security concerns without addressing the racial implications. Option A is incorrect as both perspectives recognize the potential dangers of foreign nationals, albeit in different contexts. Option B misrepresents the majority's stance, which did not explicitly acknowledge civil rights violations. Option C inaccurately simplifies the Court's ruling, which did not solely attribute internment to disloyalty.
Justice Murphy's dissent emphasized that the internment camps represented blatant racial prejudice, highlighting the unjust targeting of Japanese Americans based solely on their ethnicity. This perspective contrasts sharply with the majority opinion, which focused on national security concerns without addressing the racial implications. Option A is incorrect as both perspectives recognize the potential dangers of foreign nationals, albeit in different contexts. Option B misrepresents the majority's stance, which did not explicitly acknowledge civil rights violations. Option C inaccurately simplifies the Court's ruling, which did not solely attribute internment to disloyalty.