Preamble and Principles
The introduction to the U.S. Constitution that lists the goals of the country is known as what?
The Preamble
Legislative branch, or Congress, is broken up into two separate houses. What are they?
House of Representatives / Senate
Who is the leader of the Executive Branch
The President
The Judicial Branch consists of what?
The Supreme Court (America's court systems)
The idea in America that powers are shared between the federal / national government and the state governments are known as what?
Federalism
When one branch of government has the ability to limit the power of another branch, this is called what. The purpose of this is to make sure one branch does not become too powerful.
Checks and Balances
Name two of the qualifications for either house of congress.
HOR- 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, live in the state you represent.
Senate- 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, live in the state you represent.
Who advises the president on specific issues.
The cabinet or departments.
How many members currently sit on the Supreme Court? How long do the serve for?
9, for life.
Early in American history, who had the right to vote in America?
Adult (21), white, male, land owners
The idea that all people in the county need to follow the same laws. This includes members of the government
Rule of Law
Name two roles or jobs of the Legislative Branch
Approve the President’s budget
Declare war
Senate approval/rejection of treaties
Coin Money
Collect Taxes
Senate approval and rejection of Presidential appointments
Make Laws
What are the three specific qualifications to be president of the United States.
Must be 35 years old
Must be a natural born citizen
Must have lived in the U.S. the last 14 years
What is the main job of the Supreme Court?
That of judicial review. Determining what the U.S. Constitution means.
What are Reserved Powers? Give an example
Powers reserved for the states. Setting up schools, conduct elections, regulate trade within a state.
Provide at least one example of a check and balance that one branch of government has over another.
President vetoes a law, Congress impeaches a president, Supreme Court rules a law as unconstitutional.
The number of people that serve in House of Representatives and the Senate differ based on what?
HOR- Population
Senate- Equal representation
List two specific departments and what they actually do.
Many answers
Who chooses who is on the Supreme Court? Who approves or votes on that choice?
The President, Senate approves
What are Delegated Powers? give an example
Powers listed for the federal government. EX; coin money, declare war, maintain army navy etc.
List at least one goal listed in the Preamble and what does actually mean?
More Perfect Union- Create a better government
Establish Justice- Fair and Equal Court system
Ensure Domestic Tranquility- Peace in the Country
Provide for the Common Defense- Protect the country/citizens from foreign threats
Promote the General Welfare- Provide for the safety, health, general well being of the Citizens
Secure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our posterity - Ensure individual freedoms for citizens now and in the future
How would you summarize the process of a bill turning into a law?
Bill is proposed, debated in committee, voted on in one house, bill goes through similar steps in the next house, needs to passed, sent to the president for signature.
How long does a president serve for and how many times can they be elected?
4 years, 2 terms
Why is the job of selecting a Supreme Court justice so important for a president? Why does the make up of the court matter?
Different political leanings usually means different outcomes for various types of cases.
What did each one of these amendments do?
15th
19th
26th
(Hint: they are all voting amendments)
15th- Ended race based voting restrictions
19th- Ended gender based voting restrictions
26th- lowered voting age from 21 to 18