The 1912 Tariff Debate
The passage and political cartoons provide information about the 1912 tariff debate.
1 The election of 1912, Eke many elections, was a contest of ideas. The four candidates for president had very different views on the role of government. These differences were clearly evident in the candidates' position on tariffs – taxes charged on imported goods. Democrat Woodrow Wilson argued that the economic role of the federal government should be limited. He supported reducing tariffs to decrease government involvement in the economy. Republican William Taft argued that the federal government had an obligation to protect American businesses and workers. A high tariff would limit competition from foreign companies and would, therefore, benefit American businesses. The Progressive candidate, Theodore Roosevelt, tock a more moderate view. He believed that the government should control and supervise the economy. But he argued against a blanket tariff on all
As president, what power did Woodrow Wilson have to prevent Congress from raising tariffs?
- A. The power to appoint officials
- B. The power to enforce the law
- C. The power to make treaties
- D. The power to veto bills
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
Woodrow Wilson's ability to prevent Congress from raising tariffs stemmed from his power to veto bills. This authority allowed him to reject legislation that he deemed unfavorable, including tariff increases. Option A, the power to appoint officials, does not directly influence tariff legislation. Option B, the power to enforce the law, pertains to executing laws rather than preventing their passage. Option C, the power to make treaties, relates to international agreements and has no bearing on domestic tariff policies. Thus, the veto power was the key tool Wilson could use to block tariff increases.
Woodrow Wilson's ability to prevent Congress from raising tariffs stemmed from his power to veto bills. This authority allowed him to reject legislation that he deemed unfavorable, including tariff increases. Option A, the power to appoint officials, does not directly influence tariff legislation. Option B, the power to enforce the law, pertains to executing laws rather than preventing their passage. Option C, the power to make treaties, relates to international agreements and has no bearing on domestic tariff policies. Thus, the veto power was the key tool Wilson could use to block tariff increases.
Other Related Questions
What is this labor market's equilibrium labor quantity?
- A. 2,000 hours per month
- B. 3,000 hours per month
- C. 4,000 hours per month
- D. 5,000 hours per month
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
In this labor market, the equilibrium labor quantity occurs where the supply of labor equals the demand for labor. Option C, 4,000 hours per month, represents this balance, indicating that employers are willing to hire this amount at the prevailing wage. Option A (2,000 hours) suggests underemployment, where labor supply exceeds demand, leading to inefficiencies. Option B (3,000 hours) may indicate a slight imbalance, as demand has not fully met supply. Option D (5,000 hours) reflects an oversupply of labor, resulting in unemployment, as demand cannot accommodate this quantity. Thus, 4,000 hours is the optimal equilibrium point.
In this labor market, the equilibrium labor quantity occurs where the supply of labor equals the demand for labor. Option C, 4,000 hours per month, represents this balance, indicating that employers are willing to hire this amount at the prevailing wage. Option A (2,000 hours) suggests underemployment, where labor supply exceeds demand, leading to inefficiencies. Option B (3,000 hours) may indicate a slight imbalance, as demand has not fully met supply. Option D (5,000 hours) reflects an oversupply of labor, resulting in unemployment, as demand cannot accommodate this quantity. Thus, 4,000 hours is the optimal equilibrium point.
In each of these six court cases, the courts tried to
- A. reflect what the majority of citizens believed.
- B. balance individuals' rights and the needs of society.
- C. protect business interests.
- D. protect states' rights
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
In these court cases, the courts aimed to balance individual rights with societal needs, ensuring that personal freedoms do not infringe upon the welfare of the community. Option A is misleading; while public opinion can influence decisions, courts prioritize constitutional principles over majority beliefs. Option C inaccurately suggests that the primary focus was on business interests, which is not always the case in judicial decisions that often prioritize individual rights and societal impact. Option D misrepresents the courts' broader role, as they frequently address national interests rather than solely protecting states' rights.
In these court cases, the courts aimed to balance individual rights with societal needs, ensuring that personal freedoms do not infringe upon the welfare of the community. Option A is misleading; while public opinion can influence decisions, courts prioritize constitutional principles over majority beliefs. Option C inaccurately suggests that the primary focus was on business interests, which is not always the case in judicial decisions that often prioritize individual rights and societal impact. Option D misrepresents the courts' broader role, as they frequently address national interests rather than solely protecting states' rights.
What precedent was set by George Washington and maintained until the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt?
- A. Leaving economic policy decision-making to Congress
- B. Letting party officials pick the vice president candidate
- C. Serving no more than two terms as president
- D. Refusing to be directly involved in treaty negotiations
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
George Washington established the tradition of serving no more than two terms as president, setting a standard for future leaders that emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and discouraging the concentration of authority. This precedent was respected until Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency, which ultimately led to the 22nd Amendment. Option A is incorrect; while Congress plays a significant role in economic policy, Washington's precedent focused on presidential term limits. Option B is misleading, as party officials did not formally select vice presidential candidates until later. Option D is inaccurate; Washington engaged in treaty negotiations, illustrating presidential involvement in foreign affairs.
George Washington established the tradition of serving no more than two terms as president, setting a standard for future leaders that emphasized the importance of a peaceful transfer of power and discouraging the concentration of authority. This precedent was respected until Franklin D. Roosevelt's four-term presidency, which ultimately led to the 22nd Amendment. Option A is incorrect; while Congress plays a significant role in economic policy, Washington's precedent focused on presidential term limits. Option B is misleading, as party officials did not formally select vice presidential candidates until later. Option D is inaccurate; Washington engaged in treaty negotiations, illustrating presidential involvement in foreign affairs.
Which of these pairs of cases deals with First Amendment rights?
- A. Commonwealth v. Hunt and Brown v. Board of Education
- B. Muller v. Oregon and Schenck v. United States
- C. Schenck v. United States and Engel v. Vitale
- D. Brown v. Board of Education and Engel v. Vitale
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: C
Option C features Schenck v. United States and Engel v. Vitale, both pivotal cases addressing First Amendment rights. Schenck examined free speech limitations during wartime, while Engel addressed the separation of church and state in public schools, emphasizing freedom of religion. Option A includes Commonwealth v. Hunt, focused on labor rights, and Brown v. Board of Education, which, although significant for civil rights, does not directly pertain to First Amendment issues. Option B includes Muller v. Oregon, centered on labor laws, and Schenck, which, while relevant, does not pair with a Second case addressing First Amendment rights. Option D pairs Brown v. Board of Education with Engel v. Vitale, where only Engel pertains to First Amendment issues, making it an incomplete choice.
Option C features Schenck v. United States and Engel v. Vitale, both pivotal cases addressing First Amendment rights. Schenck examined free speech limitations during wartime, while Engel addressed the separation of church and state in public schools, emphasizing freedom of religion. Option A includes Commonwealth v. Hunt, focused on labor rights, and Brown v. Board of Education, which, although significant for civil rights, does not directly pertain to First Amendment issues. Option B includes Muller v. Oregon, centered on labor laws, and Schenck, which, while relevant, does not pair with a Second case addressing First Amendment rights. Option D pairs Brown v. Board of Education with Engel v. Vitale, where only Engel pertains to First Amendment issues, making it an incomplete choice.