Enlightenment
Name one core belief of John Locke that influenced the Declaration of Independence.
natural rights (life, liberty, property); consent of the governed, right to overthrow
Define “Checks and Balances
system where each branch can limit others to prevent abuse.
Give one example of federalism in action
Example: Federal sets national defense; states manage public education
What is a "veto"?
The power of the president to reject a law that Congress passes.
Define "Reserved Powers"
Reserved: powers for states (e.g., conduct elections, regulate intrastate commerce).
Explain how Montesquieu’s idea of separation of powers influenced the structure of the U.S. Constitution.
separation of powers → three branches with distinct functions; prevents tyranny
Define “Federalism.”
Division of power between national and state governments.
Which constitutional amendment explicitly reserves powers to the states?
10th Amendment
Name two roles of the Legislative Branch.
make laws, levy taxes, declare war, approve budgets, override vetoes
Define "Enumerate Powers"
Enumerated: powers granted to Congress (e.g., coin money, regulate commerce)
Describe two ways Enlightenment ideas shaped early American political documents (Declaration or Constitution
natural rights language in Declaration; separation of powers and checks in Constitution
Define “Popular Sovereignty” and give one example of it in action.
Power rests with the people (e.g., voting to approve laws or constitutions)
What clause establishes that the Federal Government overrules state governments?
The Supremacy Clause. Establishes the "Constitution as the supreme law of the land"
What is the role of the Judicial Branch?
To evaluate if laws passed by Congress and actions by the President follow the Constitution. (Called Judicial Review)
What is "Limited Government"?
the power and authority of the government are strictly restricted by law, usually through a written Constitution, to protect individual liberties and prevent the abuse of power
Compare Locke’s view of natural rights with the concept of popular sovereignty. How are they similar and how do they differ?
Similar: both emphasize people’s rights/authority; different: Locke focuses on individual natural rights, popular sovereignty emphasizes people as source of political power
Define "Jucial Review"
Judicial review: courts can declare laws unconstitutional.
Name one strength and one weakness of Federalism.
.
Which branch has the "power of the purse"?
Legislative branch. Approves budgets and funds federal/state programs.
The moral or natural right of a population to alter, abolish, or overthrow a government that becomes deeply tyrannical and destructive to their basic rights.
Analyze how Enlightenment thinking provided a justification for revolution and for creating a government based on consent of the governed. Use specific ideas from Locke or Montesquieu
Locke’s right to revolt and idea of consent justified replacing governments that violate rights; Montesquieu supported institutional design limiting power
Define "Concurrent Powers" and give an example of one.
Concurrent: powers shared by state and federal (e.g., taxation)
Provide a concrete example (past or hypothetical) of a conflict between state law and federal law and explain how the Supremacy Clause would resolve it
State legalizing something federally illegal — Supremacy Clause makes federal law supreme, so federal law overrides state law in conflict /
Give an example of "Checks and Balances" in the US government.
Congress overrides a presidential veto by getting 2/3s of members to approve legislation.
Define the "Necessary and Proper" clause.
Congress has the power “To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof".
Also called the "Elastic Clause"