Forms and Systems
This system of government gives all power to a single ruler.
What is an autocracy?
This document declared the American colonies’ independence from Britain in 1776.
What is the Declaration of Independence?
This part of the Constitution introduces its purpose.
What is the Preamble?
This amendment protects freedom of speech, religion, and the press.
What is the First Amendment?
These powers are specifically given to the national government in the Constitution.
What are enumerated powers?
This form of government allows citizens to vote directly on laws.
What is a direct democracy?
This 1215 document limited the power of the English king.
What is the Magna Carta?
This principle divides power among three branches of government.
What is separation of powers?
This amendment abolished slavery in the United States.
What is the Thirteenth Amendment?
These powers are shared by both state and national governments.
What are concurrent powers?
In this system, the states are given the most power.
What is a confederal system of government?
This Enlightenment idea, reflected in founding documents, says government gets power from the people.
What is popular sovereignty?
A law is passed by Congress, but the president vetoes it. Congress then overrides the veto.
Which principle is demonstrated?
A. federalism
B. popular sovereignty
C. checks and balances
D. judicial review
What are checks and balances? (C)
This landmark case declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.
What is Brown v. Board of Education?
Which is an example of a 10th Amendment issue?
A. state governments oversee public schools
B. national governments make treaties
C. national governments declare war
D. state governments coin money
A. state governments oversee public schools
In Lincoln's Gettysburg address he states... government of the people by the people for the people . . .
What is a republic?
This excerpt is from the Magna Carta (1215).
No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.
Which founding idea is reflected in this excerpt?
A. rule of law
B. due process
C. self government
D. separation of power
What is due process? (B)
A state passes a law that conflicts with a federal law. The federal law is followed instead.
Which constitutional principle applies?
A. separation of powers
B. Supremacy Clause
C. reserved powers
D. amendment process
What is the Supremacy Clause? (B)
This case established judicial review.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
Which is delegated only to the national government?
A. conducting elections
B. establishing courts
C. coining money
D. taxing citizens
C. coining money
The system of government that was in place after the United States adopted the U.S. Constitution
What is a federal system of government?
This quote is from a historical document.
A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people.
How does this quote reflect the influence of Enlightenment ideas on the Founding Fathers?
A. They had reservations about self-government.
B. They were concerned with property rights.
C. They supported individual liberties.
D. They created a limited monarchy
Which means they supported individual liberties? (C)
Which presidential action was based on Article I of the U.S. Constitution?
A. President John F. Kennedy’s statements about missiles in Cuba
B. President Franklin Roosevelt asking Congress to declare war on Japan
C. President Dwight Eisenhower’s statements about communism in Africa
D. President George H. Bush asking Congress to commit troops for Gulf War I
B. President Franklin Roosevelt asking Congress to declare war on Japan
How did the ratification of the 15th, 19th, and 26th Amendments influence the American political process?
A. by expanding voting rights
B. by limiting presidential power
C. by providing guaranteed income
D. by providing guaranteed employment
A. by expanding voting rights
Which option best illustrates the concept of federalism as established by the U.S. Constitution? A. Enumerated powers describe the authority granted to the national legislature.
B. Concurrent powers are shared by the national and state governments.
C. Governing powers are divided between branches of government.
D. Judicial powers are used to ensure fair trials.
What are Concurrent powers are shared by the national and state governments? (B)