Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumStructure and Core Principles of the U.S. Constitution

"He shall have Power, by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, to make Treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur; and he shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States..."
—Article II, Section 2 of the United States Constitution, 1787

Which of the following statements best explains how the excerpt reflects the core principles established during the drafting of the Constitution?

  1. A
    It was created to appease the emerging Democratic-Republican faction by strictly limiting the President's domestic policy initiatives.
  2. It establishes a check on executive power by requiring legislative approval for major diplomatic and administrative decisions.Answer
  3. C
    It resolved the weakness of the Articles of Confederation by granting the executive branch unilateral control over foreign relations.
  4. D
    It reflects a continuation of the Articles of Confederation by reserving the right of treaty ratification to individual state legislatures.

Answer

The Constitution establishes a check on executive power by requiring Senate approval (Advice and Consent) for treaties and high-level appointments.
The 'Advice and Consent' clause limits unilateral executive authority by requiring the President to secure Senate approval for treaties and major appointments, demonstrating the principle of checks and balances.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the text of the excerpt to identify the specific power and government branches involved.
The President (executive branch) is granted the authority to negotiate treaties and nominate officials, but only with the 'Advice and Consent' (approval) of the Senate (legislative branch).
This step identifies the structural relationship between the executive and legislative branches outlined in the Constitution.
2
Connect this relationship to the core principles of the U.S. Constitution.
Requiring one branch to obtain the approval of another branch before taking action is the definition of checks and balances.
This step determines the principle that matches the mechanism described in the excerpt.
3
Evaluate the choices to find the one that accurately describes this principle of checked power, and rule out incorrect options based on historical timeline and structure.
The correct choice is the one that identifies the check on executive power through legislative approval.
This step ensures that the selected answer aligns with constitutional principles and is historically accurate.

Key Concept

Checks and Balances
Rate this question

Topics

Structure and Core Principles of the U.S. Constitution

More questions from this topic