DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
Name three natural rights listed in the Declaration of Independence.
What are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
The idea that government leaders must follow the law and cannot have unlimited power.
What is limited government?
Under the Articles of Confederation, sovereignty primarily remained with which level of government?
The states
The Constitution has this many main articles.
What is seven?
The president negotiates with foreign leaders, serves as commander in chief, and is responsible for enforcing federal laws.
Which article establishes the constitutional basis for these powers?
Article II — Executive Branch
The Declaration argues that when a government consistently violates the rights of its citizens, the people have the authority to alter or abolish that government.
Which concept best explains this argument?
Social contract
The people elect representatives to make policy decisions on their behalf. Which Big Idea?
What is Republicanism?
Congress could not impose taxes directly on citizens under the Articles. Which consequence was most likely to result from this limitation?
The national government lacked reliable revenue to pay debts, fund the military, and carry out its responsibilities.
This clause says that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the highest law of the land.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
A bill is introduced in the House of Representatives and eventually sent to the president for approval.
Which article of the Constitution establishes the branch involved in creating federal laws?
Article I — Legislative Branch
A student argues:
“Government power is legitimate only when it is exercised according to rules that protect individual liberty.”
Which two democratic principles are most clearly reflected in this argument?
Natural rights and limited government
The federal government has authority over certain issues while state governments retain authority over others. Which Big Idea?
What is Federalism?
The Articles required unanimous approval from the states to amend the document. What larger problem did this requirement demonstrate?
The national government was too limited to effectively respond to changing national circumstances.
Which constitutional principle is demonstrated by Article I, Article II, and Article III?
What is Separation of Powers?
The Supreme Court hears a case involving whether a federal law violates the Constitution.
Which article establishes the federal judiciary and gives the judicial branch its constitutional authority?
Article III — Judicial Branch
“Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just Powers from the Consent of the Governed.”
Which democratic principle is most directly reflected in this passage?
Popular sovereignty
The President vetoes legislation passed by Congress. Congress can override the veto with sufficient votes.
Which two Big Ideas are most clearly illustrated?
What is Checks and Balances and Separation of Powers
Shays’ Rebellion contributed to concerns about the effectiveness of the Articles of Confederation.
Which argument would Federalists most likely have used this event to support?
The national government needed greater authority to maintain order and address problems that individual states could not effectively solve.
To amend the Constitution, an amendment must first be proposed by __________ and then ratified by _________.
What is congress and the states?
A state passes a law that conflicts with the U.S. Constitution. Which principle means the Constitution takes priority?
What is the Supremacy Clause?
How does the Declaration of Independence provide a philosophical foundation for the Constitution even though it does not create a system of government?
The Declaration establishes principles such as natural rights, popular sovereignty, and the social contract. The Constitution then creates a governmental structure designed to protect those rights while limiting government power.
Explain how separation of powers, checks and balances, and federalism work together to protect the principle of limited government.
Separation of powers divides national authority among three branches. Checks and balances allow each branch to limit the others. Federalism divides authority between the national and state governments. Together, these structures prevent power from becoming concentrated in one person, branch, or level of government.
Explain one major weakness of the Articles of Confederation and identify the constitutional provision that addressed that weakness.
What are the “Six Big Ideas” of the Constitution and explain 3 of them.
limited government
republicanism
checks and balances
federalism
separation of powers
popular sovereignty
A person moves from one state to another and expects certain legal rights and protections to be recognized across state lines.
Which article establishes principles governing relationships among the states?
Article IV — Relations Among the States