Chapter 3 Section 4 answers

1) Why has the Constitution been able to informally change?  Give some examples.
Because it is a very general document that doesn’t specify a lot of things

I.E. The constitution gave congress the power to regulate commerce, but they didn’t say what they could do. This allowed the authorities the power to regulate child labor and commercials.

2) How has Congress expanded the executive branch? 

By creating the cabinet departments, agencies, boards, and commissions

3) What is the impeachment process?  What crimes can a President be impeached for? 

The house may impeach, or accuse, federal officials, and it is up to the senate to determine if they are guilty or innocent. Conduct that violates constitutional responsibilities and implies a clear neglect of duty.

4) Discuss John Tyler's Presidency.  How did he interpret the Constitution?  What is the other view of this interpretation?
He took the presidential oath of office, and finished out the term. Other thoughts he should just assume the position of president until another one could be elected.

5) What is an executive agreement?  How has it expanded the powers of the President?
it is a agreement made directly between the president and the head of state of another country. It has weakened the constitutional checks and balances, giving the president.

6) Discuss the two views of Judicial Review.
judicial restraint – court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions, uphold acts of congress unless it clearly violates the constitution (the court should leave the development of new policies to others)

judicial activism – court should play an active role in shaping national policies, should boldly apply the constitution to pressing social and political questions

7) Give an example of how the Supreme Court has ruled the Constitution meaning one thing and then later changing its mind.
in 1896, African Americans ruled to have separate public facilities for African Americans, and they repealed it in 1954

8) State the four sources of informal constitutional change.
Customs/Changes of the times

Presidential actions

Federal courts

Congressional actions

9) How could judicial activism infringe on powers given Congress in the Constitution?

It can say that congress is wrong in a decision they make