Since 1789, the expansion of power of the National Government has been caused by all of the following EXCEPT

a. strict construction of the Constitution
b. liberal construction of the Constitution
c. technological advances
d. economic crises.

I think it's a. Am I right?

You're right.

a strict construction of the constitution

No, you are not correct. The expansion of power of the National Government since 1789 has been caused by all of the listed options except for a. strict construction of the Constitution. The correct answer is a. strict construction of the Constitution.

To determine the answer to this question, you need to evaluate each option and consider whether it has contributed to the expansion of power of the National Government since 1789.

a. Strict construction of the Constitution: Strict construction refers to interpreting the Constitution narrowly and limiting the powers of the federal government to those explicitly outlined in the Constitution. This approach would actually work against the expansion of the National Government's power, so option a is unlikely to be the correct answer.

b. Liberal construction of the Constitution: Liberal construction, also known as loose construction, involves interpreting the Constitution broadly and allowing the federal government to exercise implied powers. This approach can contribute to the expansion of the National Government's power. So, option b is likely to be a cause of the expansion of power.

c. Technological advances: Technological advances have the potential to impact the expansion of power of the National Government. They can enable the federal government to better monitor, regulate, or communicate with citizens, which can lead to an increase in government power. So, option c is plausible as a cause.

d. Economic crises: Economic crises can create conditions where the National Government may need to exercise increased power to address the crisis, such as implementing economic stimulus measures or financial regulations. Therefore, option d is plausible as a cause.

Based on your analysis, you correctly identified that the answer is a. Strict construction of the Constitution. This is because strict construction would limit the government's power, rather than contribute to its expansion.