AP US Government · Concept application
Which constitutional change most directly reduced one of the federal features of the original system that Madison discussed in Federalist…
James Madison, Federalist No. 39, 1788
Madison argued that a republic derives its powers directly or indirectly from the people and places government offices in persons holding them for limited periods or during good behavior. He then described the proposed Constitution as neither wholly national nor wholly federal. Some features rested on the people as individuals, while others preserved the states as political units.
Adapted from James Madison, Federalist No. 39 (1788).
Which constitutional change most directly reduced one of the federal features of the original system that Madison discussed in Federalist No. 39?
Answer and explanation
Answer: A: The Seventeenth Amendment's establishment of direct election of senators
In the original system, state legislatures chose senators, a federal feature connecting states to the national government. The Seventeenth Amendment established direct election of senators, removing that role, so A is correct. Choice B is tempting because the Twelfth Amendment also changed an electoral procedure, but it altered presidential and vice-presidential voting. Choice C limits presidential terms and does not affect how senators are chosen. Choice D, the Fifteenth Amendment, protects voting rights against racial discrimination without changing Senate selection.
More Concept application questions
- Question 1Which constitutional feature most clearly reflects the federal element of the system Madison…
- Question 7A bill has passed the House. In the Senate, 54 senators say they support final passage, but…
- Question 8Congress enacts a statute directing a federal agency to set a safe exposure limit for a newly…
- Question 9A congressional committee requires an agency administrator to testify about enforcement delays and…
- Question 11A policymaker argues that individual self-interest and competition can help allocate resources…
Learn the method behind questions like this one
The AP US Government course teaches each tested skill through lessons, step-by-step solutions to sample problems, the complete study guide and full-length practice tests.