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
The newspaper writer's opinion that
- A. slavery should have been preserved
- B. Jim Crow laws should have been stopped
- C. Jim Crow laws benefited the south
- D. Jim Crow laws had benefited the South constitutional changes were successful
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
The opinion that Jim Crow laws benefited the South reflects a perspective that views these discriminatory laws as advantageous for maintaining social order and economic benefits for white populations, despite their oppressive nature. Option A suggests a support for slavery, which is widely condemned and not a mainstream opinion. Option B advocates for the cessation of Jim Crow laws, opposing the notion that they were beneficial. Option D incorrectly implies that constitutional changes related to Jim Crow were successful, overlooking the ongoing struggles for civil rights and equality. Thus, option C captures a historically inaccurate yet prevalent viewpoint of the time.
The opinion that Jim Crow laws benefited the South reflects a perspective that views these discriminatory laws as advantageous for maintaining social order and economic benefits for white populations, despite their oppressive nature. Option A suggests a support for slavery, which is widely condemned and not a mainstream opinion. Option B advocates for the cessation of Jim Crow laws, opposing the notion that they were beneficial. Option D incorrectly implies that constitutional changes related to Jim Crow were successful, overlooking the ongoing struggles for civil rights and equality. Thus, option C captures a historically inaccurate yet prevalent viewpoint of the time.
Which feature of the U.S. system of government did de Tocqueville believe might cause conflict in society?
- A. The majority is able to achieve special rights.
- B. The minority is able to block popular legislation.
- C. Legislators must represent minority interests.
- D. Legislators sometimes act against majority rule.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
De Tocqueville observed that when the majority in a democracy can impose its will, it might lead to the oppression of minority groups, creating societal conflict. This reflects his concern about "tyranny of the majority," where the dominant group's interests overshadow the rights of others. Option B is incorrect because while minorities can influence legislation, de Tocqueville focused more on majority power. Option C misrepresents his views; he acknowledged the importance of minority representation but did not see it as a source of conflict. Option D is also inaccurate, as de Tocqueville emphasized the potential for the majority to dominate rather than legislators opposing the majority.
De Tocqueville observed that when the majority in a democracy can impose its will, it might lead to the oppression of minority groups, creating societal conflict. This reflects his concern about "tyranny of the majority," where the dominant group's interests overshadow the rights of others. Option B is incorrect because while minorities can influence legislation, de Tocqueville focused more on majority power. Option C misrepresents his views; he acknowledged the importance of minority representation but did not see it as a source of conflict. Option D is also inaccurate, as de Tocqueville emphasized the potential for the majority to dominate rather than legislators opposing the majority.
How does the message presented by Senator Paul differ from the message presented by President Obama?
- A. Only Senator Paul promotes less government involvement in health care.
- B. Only Senator Paul wants to secure more health care for U.S. citizens.
- C. Only President Obama supports the Supreme Court's right to rule about health care.
- D. Only President Obama discusses problems in the health care industry.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Senator Paul advocates for reduced government involvement in health care, emphasizing personal choice and market-driven solutions. This contrasts with President Obama's approach, which supports a more active role for the government in expanding access and regulating the industry. Option B is incorrect as both politicians aim to improve health care access, albeit through different methods. Option C misrepresents Obama's stance; he supports health care reforms that align with Supreme Court rulings but does not solely focus on this aspect. Option D is misleading; while Obama addresses health care issues, Senator Paul also discusses industry challenges, making this option inaccurate.
Senator Paul advocates for reduced government involvement in health care, emphasizing personal choice and market-driven solutions. This contrasts with President Obama's approach, which supports a more active role for the government in expanding access and regulating the industry. Option B is incorrect as both politicians aim to improve health care access, albeit through different methods. Option C misrepresents Obama's stance; he supports health care reforms that align with Supreme Court rulings but does not solely focus on this aspect. Option D is misleading; while Obama addresses health care issues, Senator Paul also discusses industry challenges, making this option inaccurate.
Which statement provides the main idea of the passage?
- A. The founders understood the importance of dividing war powers in the U.S. Constitution.
- B. President Truman used presidential war powers to send troops to South Korea.
- C. Congress restricted presidential war powers as a result of the Vietnam War.
- D. A conflict over presidential war powers exists in the U.S. government.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Option D effectively captures the overarching theme of the passage by highlighting the ongoing conflict regarding presidential war powers within the U.S. government. This statement reflects the central issue discussed throughout the text. Option A, while relevant, focuses solely on the founders' intentions rather than the current implications of war powers. Option B is too specific, addressing a single historical instance rather than the broader concept of power dynamics. Option C, although it mentions a relevant event, limits the discussion to the Vietnam War and does not encompass the ongoing nature of the conflict over these powers.
Option D effectively captures the overarching theme of the passage by highlighting the ongoing conflict regarding presidential war powers within the U.S. government. This statement reflects the central issue discussed throughout the text. Option A, while relevant, focuses solely on the founders' intentions rather than the current implications of war powers. Option B is too specific, addressing a single historical instance rather than the broader concept of power dynamics. Option C, although it mentions a relevant event, limits the discussion to the Vietnam War and does not encompass the ongoing nature of the conflict over these powers.