Branches
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
What is an amendment?
A change or addition to the Constitution
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual rights.
What is federalism?
A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.
Who is known as the "Father of the Constitution"?
James Madison
What is the main role of the legislative branch?
To make laws
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27 Amendments
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
To protect individual liberties and address concerns of Anti-Federalists.
Define popular sovereignty.
The principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.
What year was the Constitution ratified?
1788
Which branch interprets laws?
Judicial
What does the First Amendment protect?
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
Name three rights protected by the Bill of Rights.
Freedom of speech, right to bear arms, right to a fair trial (any three rights are acceptable).
What does separation of powers mean?
The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.
What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
To address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a new constitution.
What is the purpose of checks and balances?
To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful
What is the process for proposing an amendment?
It can be proposed by a two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress or by a national convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures.
What is the significance of the Second Amendment?
It protects the right to keep and bear arms.
Explain the principle of limited government.
The government has only the powers that the Constitution gives it.
Name one weakness of the Articles of Confederation.
Lack of a strong central government or inability to levy taxes.
Name one power that is exclusive to the federal government.
Coining money
Name the amendment that abolished slavery.
13th Amendment
What amendment addresses the rights of the accused?
6th Amendment
What is the significance of the Supremacy Clause?
It establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties take precedence over state laws.
How did the Great Compromise shape Congress?
It established a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate.