This excerpt is from a 2002 document published by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
The realigning President proposes to create a new Department of Homeland Security... by largely transforming and Is to protect the current confusing patchwork of government activities into a single department whose primary mission our homeland....
History... teaches us that new challenges require new organizational structures.
For example, prior to 1945, America's armed forces were inefficiently structured with separate War and Navy Departments and disconnected intelligence units. There were no formal mechanisms for.cooperation..
In December 1945, only months after America's decisive victory in World War II,... President Truman declared, "It Is now time... to provide for the future the soundest, most effective and most economical kind of structure for our armed forces...."
President Truman's goals were achieved with the National Security Act of 1947 and subsequent amendments... The legislation consolidated the separate military Departments Into the Department of Defense..., established a Central Intelligence Agency to coordinate all foreign intelligence collection and analysis, and created the National Security Council in the White House to coordinate all foreign and defense policy efforts.
Based on the excerpt, which change was a result of the National Security Act of 1947?
- A. The Central Intelligence Agency replaced the War Department.
- B. The National Security Council gained control over the Department of Defense.
- C. The Department of Homeland Security replaced the War Department.
- D. The Department of the Navy became part of the Department of Defense.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: D
The National Security Act of 1947 reorganized the U.S. military and intelligence community. Option D accurately reflects that the Department of the Navy became part of the newly established Department of Defense, streamlining military operations. Option A is incorrect; the CIA was created but did not replace the War Department directly. Option B is misleading; while the National Security Council was established, it does not control the Department of Defense. Option C is factually incorrect, as the Department of Homeland Security was created later, in 2003, not as a result of the 1947 Act.
The National Security Act of 1947 reorganized the U.S. military and intelligence community. Option D accurately reflects that the Department of the Navy became part of the newly established Department of Defense, streamlining military operations. Option A is incorrect; the CIA was created but did not replace the War Department directly. Option B is misleading; while the National Security Council was established, it does not control the Department of Defense. Option C is factually incorrect, as the Department of Homeland Security was created later, in 2003, not as a result of the 1947 Act.
Other Related Questions
Which statement can be made based on both the passage and the table?
- A. The increase in independent voters has strengthened the influence of Democrats on the national level.
- B. The best political campaigns of Republicans and Democrats use modern media to communicate with voters.
- C. The most recent data shows that Republicans controlled almost three times the number of state legislatures as Democrats.
- D. The decrease in party identification has strengthened the influence of Republicans in state legislatures.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: B
Option B accurately reflects the information provided in both the passage and the table, highlighting the importance of modern media in effective political campaigns for both major parties. This statement emphasizes a shared strategy that transcends partisan lines, indicating a common approach to engaging voters. Option A incorrectly suggests a direct correlation between independent voters and the strengthening of Democrats, which is not supported by the data. Option C misrepresents the statistics regarding state legislature control, as the table likely shows a different ratio. Option D assumes that a decrease in party identification universally benefits Republicans, ignoring the complexities of voter behavior and preferences that the passage may address.
Option B accurately reflects the information provided in both the passage and the table, highlighting the importance of modern media in effective political campaigns for both major parties. This statement emphasizes a shared strategy that transcends partisan lines, indicating a common approach to engaging voters. Option A incorrectly suggests a direct correlation between independent voters and the strengthening of Democrats, which is not supported by the data. Option C misrepresents the statistics regarding state legislature control, as the table likely shows a different ratio. Option D assumes that a decrease in party identification universally benefits Republicans, ignoring the complexities of voter behavior and preferences that the passage may address.
How did the position expressed by President Johnson differ from the position expressed by Senator Russell?
- A. Only Senator Russell said that state governments were sufficiently protecting the rights of citizens.
- B. Only Senator Russell supported the federal government's intervention.
- C. Only President Johnson supported the state governments' rights to manage their own affairs.
- D. Only President Johnson believed that the federal government was authorized to intervene.
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
President Johnson emphasized the need for federal intervention to protect citizens' rights, believing that state governments were often inadequate. In contrast, Senator Russell argued that state governments were effectively safeguarding those rights, reflecting a stance of local governance. Option B is incorrect because Senator Russell did not support federal intervention. Option C misrepresents Johnson’s position; he favored federal oversight rather than state autonomy. Option D inaccurately attributes the belief in federal authority solely to Johnson, as Russell did not share this view. Thus, the distinction lies in Russell's confidence in state governments versus Johnson's call for federal action.
President Johnson emphasized the need for federal intervention to protect citizens' rights, believing that state governments were often inadequate. In contrast, Senator Russell argued that state governments were effectively safeguarding those rights, reflecting a stance of local governance. Option B is incorrect because Senator Russell did not support federal intervention. Option C misrepresents Johnson’s position; he favored federal oversight rather than state autonomy. Option D inaccurately attributes the belief in federal authority solely to Johnson, as Russell did not share this view. Thus, the distinction lies in Russell's confidence in state governments versus Johnson's call for federal action.
Complete the U.S. System of Federalism chart based on information from the passage. Click on the title below you want to select and drag it into the top of each column in the chart. - State Government Powers - National Government Powers - Shared Powers of National and State Governments -
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer:
In the U.S. system of federalism, powers are distributed among different levels of government. **State Government Powers** include authority over education, transportation, and local law enforcement, allowing states to address local needs effectively. **National Government Powers** encompass defense, foreign affairs, and immigration, ensuring a unified national policy in these critical areas. **Shared Powers** involve taxation, infrastructure, and law enforcement, illustrating collaboration between state and national governments to maintain order and promote welfare. Other options may misplace powers or overlook the collaborative nature of federalism, leading to misunderstandings about government functions.
In the U.S. system of federalism, powers are distributed among different levels of government. **State Government Powers** include authority over education, transportation, and local law enforcement, allowing states to address local needs effectively. **National Government Powers** encompass defense, foreign affairs, and immigration, ensuring a unified national policy in these critical areas. **Shared Powers** involve taxation, infrastructure, and law enforcement, illustrating collaboration between state and national governments to maintain order and promote welfare. Other options may misplace powers or overlook the collaborative nature of federalism, leading to misunderstandings about government functions.
How did Chief Justice Marshall contribute to the U.S. government system of checks and balances?
- A. by establishing the Supreme Court's power to check Congress
- B. by creating the power to remove the president from office
- C. by expanding the president's power to check Congress
- D. by giving the Supreme Court the power to control itself
Correct Answer & Rationale
Correct Answer: A
Chief Justice Marshall played a pivotal role in defining the Supreme Court's authority, notably through the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, which established the principle of judicial review. This empowered the Court to invalidate laws passed by Congress that it deemed unconstitutional, effectively allowing it to check legislative power. Option B is incorrect as the power to remove a president lies with Congress through impeachment, not the Supreme Court. Option C misrepresents Marshall's contributions, as he did not expand presidential power but rather clarified judicial authority. Option D is also inaccurate; the Supreme Court does not have self-regulating powers but operates within the framework of checks and balances.
Chief Justice Marshall played a pivotal role in defining the Supreme Court's authority, notably through the landmark case Marbury v. Madison, which established the principle of judicial review. This empowered the Court to invalidate laws passed by Congress that it deemed unconstitutional, effectively allowing it to check legislative power. Option B is incorrect as the power to remove a president lies with Congress through impeachment, not the Supreme Court. Option C misrepresents Marshall's contributions, as he did not expand presidential power but rather clarified judicial authority. Option D is also inaccurate; the Supreme Court does not have self-regulating powers but operates within the framework of checks and balances.