2301 Ch.20

Front 1

What was the 1876 constitution was predicated on?

Back 1

the theory that governmental excesses could be minimized by carefully defining what governments could and could not do.

Front 2

What were regarded by the 1875 Texas Constitutional Convention to be the strengths of the constitution?

Back 2

1.fragmented authority,
2.detailed limitations on the power of governmental institutions,
3.decentralization

Front 3

What were the end results of the perceived strengths of the Texas Constitution?

Back 3

limits the ability of state and local governments to adapt effectively to economic and demographic changes.

Front 4

How did the Civil War and the Radical Reconstruction periods effect Texans' perceptions about government?

Back 4

an enduring legacy of a:
1. suspicion of government,
2.limited government, and
3.fragmented governmental institutions.

Front 5

Texas declared its independence from Mexico in :

Back 5

1836.

Front 6

Scholars believe that constitutions should be:

Back 6

brief, with direct grants of authority to specific institutions.

Front 7

The U.S. Constitution has 7,000 words; the Texas Constitution has:

Back 7

93,000 (over 80,000 words)

Front 8

T or F
The Texas Constitution reflects
a trust in government

Back 8

False. It reflects a distrust in gov't.

Front 9

A leglislature that has a single legislative body is called:

Back 9

unicameral

Front 10

The move toward Texas's admission to the U.S. in 1845 was accelerated by the election of:

Back 10

James K. Polk as president.

Front 11

The terms of Texas's admission into the Union also provided that Texas could divide itself into as many as __________ states.

Back 11

5 or five

Front 12

The Constitution of 1845 did all of the following except:
1. prevented foreclosure on personal homesteads
2. established separate property rights for women
3. allowed state chartered banks
4. established a state

Back 12

allowed state chartered banks

Front 13

T or F
The Constitution of 1845 allowed African Americans the right to vote.

Back 13

FALSE

Front 14

T or F
The Radical Reconstructionists were a group of Democrats who took control of the U.S. Congress in 1866 and imposed military governments upon former Confederate states.

Back 14

FALSE

Front 15

T or F
The Grange was an organization formed to improve the lot of farmers.

Back 15

TRUE

Front 16

T or F
The Texas Constitution of 1876 was essentially anti-government, a reaction to the corruption of the Davis administration and President Grant's two administrations.

Back 16

TRUE

Front 17

T or F
The Texas Constitution of 1876 levied poll taxes.

Back 17

TRUE

Front 18

T or F
There were 390 amendments to the Texas Constitution between 1876 and 1999.

Back 18

TRUE

Front 19

T or F
An initiative is a procedure by which voters propose a constitutional amendment or other law through petitions, subject to adoption by a popular vote.

Back 19

TRUE

Front 20

T or F
Texans currently have an initiative process.

Back 20

FALSE

Front 21

T or F
Only about 20 percent of Texans will participate in an election when constitutional amendments are the only issues on the ballot.

Back 21

TRUE

Front 22

T or F
In the Edgewood school finance case, Texas courts invalidated the system of funding public education, calming that it was unconstitutional and ordered the legislature to provide more equity in tax resources among the school districts.

Back 22

TRUE

Front 23

Texas has had __________ constitutions.

Back 23

7 or seven

Front 24

Texas's first constitution was adopted in 1827, when the state was still part of __________.

Back 24

Mexico

Front 25

When twenty-five amendments appeared on the same ballot in 1987, the __________ ___ __________ __________ announced that they would neither support nor oppose any amendment that year—they urged voters to complain about the length of the ballot.

Back 25

League of Women Voters

Front 26

A national government created by the states that relies on the states for its authority would be called a

Back 26

Confederacy

Front 27

The current constitution in Texas was written in __________ although it was amended frequently thereafter.

Back 27

1876

Front 28

Many experts believe that the Texas Constitution excessively __________ governmental authority and responsibility.

Back 28

limits; restricts

Front 29

The poll tax in Texas was not outlawed until __________.

Back 29

1966

Front 30

The term of the governor was lengthened in Texas in the year __________ to four years

Back 30

1869

Front 31

Proposed constitutional amendments can be submitted only by the __________, and require a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate, and a majority vote, once on the state-wide ballot.

Back 31

legislature

Front 32

When was the last TExas Constitution REALLY written?

Back 32

1875 NOT< NOT 1876

Front 33

What are the 3 recurring themes of the Texas Constitutions:

Back 33

1. ongoing conflict over the distribution of power among groups and regions;
2. restrictions on the legislature;
3. relationship of state gov't and economic activity within the state.

Front 34

When was the 2nd Const. was adopted?

Back 34

1836

Front 35

When was the 3rd Const. adopted?

Back 35

1845

Front 36

When was the 4th Const. adopted?

Back 36

1861 when Texas joined the Confederacy

Front 37

When was the 5th Const. adopted?

Back 37

1866 When Texas rejoined the Union

Front 38

When was the 6th Const. adopted?

Back 38

1869 to satisfay the Radical Reconstructionists' opposition to the 1866 Const.

Front 39

When was the 7th and last Texsas Const. adopted?

Back 39

1875 after termination of Reconstruction policies.

Front 40

What is a legal structure of a political suystem esta. gov't. bodies and defining their powers?

Back 40

Constitution

Front 41

What did the Texas Const. 1827 do?

Back 41

It recognized Texas as a Mexican state with Coahuila

Front 42

What did the Const. of 1836 do?

Back 42

Delcared indpendence from Mexico, Texas funcioned as an inpdependent republic for nine (9) years.

Front 43

What did the REconstruction Const. do?

Back 43

In 1869, it centralized government and weakened local governments. It did not reflect the sentiments of most Texans.

Front 44

What is the name for law enacted by a legislative body?

Back 44

Statutory law

Front 45

Under what const. did Texas have a unicameral legislature?

Back 45

1827

Front 46

Under what const. was Catholicism enacted as the state religion?

Back 46

1827

Front 47

Under what const. were Anglo Texans exempt from the military,taxes, and custom duties?

Back 47

1827

Front 48

What is the name for a const. agreement whereby authority rests with a national government; and, the subgovernments only have those powers given to them by the national government.

Back 48

unitary system

Front 49

Which state influenced the Texas Const. of 1845?

Back 49

Louisiana

Front 50

Which state influenced the Texas Const. of 1845?

Back 50

Louisiana

Front 51

T or F
Many scholars and politicians believe that the Texas constitution is a textbook example of what a constitution should be.

Back 51

False NOT BE!

Front 52

How often does the Texas legislature meet?

Back 52

every other year

Front 53

How long is the state budget period in Texas?

Back 53

2 years

Front 54

List the 3 recurring issues that emerge from the Texas constitutional legacy:

Back 54

1. ongoing conflict over the distribution of power within the state among groups & religion
2. scope of govbernment power & authority, reflected by the procedural & substantive restrictions on the legislature
3.relationship of state government to economic activity within the state

Front 55

When was the first Texas constitution adopted?

Back 55

1827, when state was still part of Mexico

Front 56

When was second Texas constitution adopted?

Back 56

1836, when Texas declared ints independence from Mexico and became a republic

Front 57

When was the third Texas constitution adopted?

Back 57

1845, when Texas joinged the Union

Front 58

when was the fourth constitution written?

Back 58

1861 when Texas joined the Confederacy

Front 59

When was the fifth Texas constitution adopted?

Back 59

1866, when Texas joined the Union, again.

Front 60

When was the sixth Texas constitution adopted?

Back 60

1869, to satisfy the Radical Reconstructionists' opposition to the 1866 constitution

Front 61

When was the seventh Texas Constitution adopted?

Back 61

1876, after termination of Reconstruction policies.

Front 62

List 3 recurring issues that have emerged from Texas's contitutional legacy:

Back 62

1.ongoing conflict over distribution of power w/in the state among groups & regions;
2.the scope of government powers & authority reflected by the procedural & substantive restricts on the legislature;
3. relationship of state government to economic activity w/in the state - balancing promoting economic activity & regulating it.

Front 63

Cite the 7 dates(years) in Texas's history for the 7 different Texas Constitution:

Back 63

1. 1827
2. 1836
3. 1845
4. 1861
5. 1866
6. 1869
7. 1878

Front 64

What is the basic tenet that of the Texas Constitution that overshadows legislature?

Back 64

It requires a budge that is based on "pay-as-you-go." State comptroller must certify that each budget can be paid for by anticipated taxes, fees, and other sources.

Front 65

List the 2 handicaps that make the it more difficult for the Texas legislature meet the budgetary needs adequately and fairly:

Back 65

1. 2-year budget period because legislature meets in regular session only every other year.
2. constitutional requriements that dedicate significant protions of state revenue to specific purposes.

Front 66

Cite an example of a required spending formula dectated in the Texas Constitution:

Back 66

3/4 of the revenue from motor fuel tax is automatically set aside for highways; the remaining 1/4 is automatically set aside for public schools

Front 67

Cite 3 basic guidelines for good constitutions by Cons. scholars:

Back 67

1. Constitution should be brief & should include general princples rather than specific legislative provisions;
2. Constitutions should make direct grants of authority to specific institutions to increase responsiveness & accountability of individuals elected or appointed
3. Constitutions should provide for orderly change but should not be written in a restrictive fashon requiring continual modifications to meet contempory needs

Front 68

How many times has the US Consitution been amended since 1788?

Back 68

27 times.

Front 69

What phrase has often been used to describe the US Consitution?

Back 69

It is regarded as "a living charter or document" in that it does not have to be continually amended to meet contemporary needs.

Front 70

What is the term for a legal structure of a political system, establishing government bodies and defining their powers?

Back 70

Constitution

Front 71

What is the term for a law enacted by a legislative body?

Back 71

Statutory law

Front 72

The Texas Constitution is ___________ a set of basic governemtental principles than a compilation of detailed statutory language.

Back 72

less

Front 73

Which states are the only states whose constitutions formally acknowledge the supremacy of the US Constitution?

Back 73

Texas and the southern states

Front 74

Why does Texas and the southern states' constitutions formally acknowledge the supremacy of the US Constitution?

Back 74

The provision was required by the Radical Reconstructionists for readmission of the Confederate states to the Union.

Front 75

T or F
Intially Anglo Texasn appeared to be willing to be incorporated into the mexican political system as long as there was limited intrusion by the Mexican government into their daily affairs.

Back 75

True

Front 76

T or F
In 1824 the new Republic of Mexico recognized as asingle state Texas and Cohahuila (neighbor south of the Rio Grande)

Back 76

True

Front 77

What was the capital of the Mexican state, Cohuila y Tejas?

Back 77

Saltillo

Front 78

What events resulted in the seizure of ppower by Gen. Santa Ana in Mexico?

Back 78

increased internal conflict among competing Mexican interests

Front 79

What is the full name of Santa Anna?

Back 79

General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna Perez de Lebron

Front 80

T or F
Stephen F. Austin originally consistently supported the position that Texas was a mexican state.

Back 80

True

Front 81

What is the term used to describe the constitutional arrangement whereby authority rests with the national government, subnational governments have only those powers given them by the national government?

Back 81

Unitary System

Front 82

What term describes the constitutional arrangement in which power is formally divided between national subnation governments?

Back 82

federalism

Front 83

What is the name of the location where Texans hastily met and declared their independence on March 2, 1836, adn wrote the Constitution of the Repoublci which was adopted on March 16, 1836?

Back 83

Washington-on-the-Brazos

Front 84

When did the Texas army under Sam Houston defeat Santa Anna's army?

Back 84

April 21, 1836

Front 85

Where did Sam Houston and the Texas army defeat Santa Anna?

Back 85

San Jacinto

Front 86

List limitations that faced Texas after the war of independence with Mexico in creating a stable government:

Back 86

1. no viable government in place
2. no money for paying the costs of government
3. no party system

Front 87

What blocked overtures made by some Texans for annexation to the US?

Back 87

slavery issue and its relationship to economic & regional influence

Front 88

What president made annexation of Texas a major issue in the US presidential campaign of 1844?

Back 88

James K. Polk