Separation of Powers
Federalism
Checks & Balances
Amendments
Political Parties/Types of Gov't
100
Who makes up the Legislative Branch and what is their main job?
House of Representatives & Senate (Bicameral) Make all laws "necessary & proper" (the elastic clause)
100
What was the first US Constitution called and what was it lacking?
The Articles of Confederation Did not give the Federal government enough power to run the country effectively (not president, no power to tax, no power to coin $, etc.)
100
What power does the President have from stopping a bill from becoming a law & what can congress do in return?
Veto (pocket veto, too) Override with a 2/3 vote
100
Name the 5 freedoms protected in the first amendment.
Freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, & religion.
100
Define bipartisan.
an agreement/cooperation btwn. two political parties.
200
What are the qualifications for being President, how long is the term & what is the term limit?
At least 35 yrs. of age Natural Born Citizen 4 years term, 2 term limit
200
Name 3 reserved (state) powers.
-schools -license -marriage -election
200
Give an example of the Judicial branch check on the Executive Branch
What is disapproving of executive actions or canceling executive orders
200
What are the first 10 amendments called and what are their purpose (why did the Founding Fathers put them there)?
The Bill of Rights To protect individual rights which were not listed in the Constitution
200
What is the purpose of third parties?
-to address issues not addressed by the major parties -to give more choice to voters
300
What is Judicial Review?
The responsibility of the Supreme Court to decide of laws are Constitutional.
300
Name 3 delegated (federal) powers.
-military/war -treaties -trade/embargo -currency
300
How do judges on the Supreme Court get their jobs?
The President appoints them Congress approves their appoinment
300
What is the 26th amendment and the historical circumstances behind it?
18 to vote Vietnam War (if you were old enough to be drafted, you should be old enough to elect the people who declare war)
300
What is the difference between direct democracies and republican (representative) democracies? Which do we have?
direct democracy=the people directly run the gov't, make laws, make public policy rep. dem= the people elect representative to run the gov't, make laws, etc.
400
________?__________ is the Commander in Chief of the Military. Which branch can declare war?
The President, but only the legislative branch can declare war.
400
Name 3 concurrent powers.
-taxes -laws -roads -courts/punishment for crimes -set up/run gov't
400
What is the federal budget and how is it decided?
plan for how the government distributes tax $ President writes it, congress approves it
400
What is the 5th amendment and the purpose behind it?
The right to remain silent when accused of a crime so that you do not end up saying anything that would incriminate you (make you look guilty when your really innocent)
400
What is a lobbyist?
-someone whose job it is to influence politicians to meet their interests, especially on public policy issues
500
What happens when the President is impeached? Name one President that was impeached.
Putting the President on trial. Congress acts as the court. Supreme Court justice presides. The President is not "removed". That is called "removal from office". Clinton
500
Define federalism.
balance of power btwn. the federal and state gov't
500
Why did the Founding Fathers create the balance of power & checks and balances?
They feared the centralized power of the government due to their experience with Great Britain They wanted to prevent one branch from getting too powerful
500
What is the purpose of the amendment process?
to make the Constitution a flexible document which can fit the changing needs of the time
500
Name and describe the political parties and political beliefs on the political spectrum: left---------------moderate-----------------right
left=liberal, democrat: gov't spending for social programs, marriage equality, programs which protect environment, affirmative action, workers rights/unions, more gun control, stronger federal gov't, women's reproductive rights (pro-choice) moderate= democrat/republican right=conservative, republican: less gov't spending, "right to work"/anti-union, marrage btwn. man & woman, no affirmative action, pro-life, less gun control, weaker fed. gov't, pro-business, strong defensive program
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