SSCG5
What are the main differences between the House of Representatives and the Senate?
The House has 435 members but The Senate has 100.
The House is based on population while the Senate is based on equality.
The House has a term of 2 years while the Senate has a term of 6 years.
What is the first amendment
Freedom of speech
Freedom of religion
Freedom of the press
Freedom of assembly
Freedom to petition the government
What is the main purpose of the U.S. Constitution?
set up the national government, define its powers, and protect the rights of the people.
What are “checks and balances,” and why are they important?
a system that ensures no single branch becomes too powerful.
It divides power among the three branches of government and gives each branch some control over the others.
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative
Judicial
Executive
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
They need a 2/3 majority vote from both the House of representatives and The senate
What is the 8th amendment
No cruel or unusual punishment
How does the Constitution limit the power of the government?
separation of powers, checks and balances, and the Bill of Rights.
How does the legislative branch make laws?
Someone comes up with an idea for a law.
A member of Congress writes it as a bill.
A small group in Congress studies the bill and may change it.
The House and Senate vote on the bill.
The President can approve it (becomes a law) or veto it.
Congress can override a veto with a 2/3 vote. if needed
How can the president check the power of Congress?
veto power, executive actions, and influencing legislation, preventing Congress from having unlimited control over lawmaking.
What is the difference between a veto and a pocket veto?
A veto can be overridden by Congress.
A pocket veto cannot be overridden because Congress isn’t in session when it happens.
What does the 6th Amendment promise to people on trial?
speedy and public trial
What does “popular sovereignty” mean?
the people have the power
What is the main role of the executive branch?
To enforce laws
How can Congress check the power of the Supreme Court?
approving judges, changing court structure, rewriting laws, proposing amendments, and using impeachment when necessary.
Why is it important for the President and Congress to work together in the lawmaking process?
The President and Congress is vital to ensure that laws are constitutional, effective, and representative of the people’s needs.
What is the 9th amendment
Rights given to the people that are not listed
How can the Constitution be changed (amended)?
through an amendment process. Congress must propose an amendment with a two-thirds vote, and then three-fourths of the states must approve it.
What is the main purpose of the judicial branch?
To interpret laws and say if they are unconstitutional or constitutional.
How does separation of powers prevent tyranny?
by ensuring that power is shared, limited, and constantly checked between the three branches of government.
How does the Bill of Rights protect individual freedoms in the United States?
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protects individual freedoms by limiting the power of the government and guaranteeing basic rights to all citizen
Why can’t the government punish someone without a trial?
the Constitution protects everyone’s right to due process.
What makes the U.S. Constitution different from the Articles of Confederation?
The Articles of Confederation made a weak national government that couldn’t tax or enforce laws.
The Constitution created a stronger central government with three branches, shared power between the states and federal government.
How can the Supreme Court limit the powers of the President or Congress?
limit the powers of the President or Congress through judicial review.
During the impeachment process, how are separation of powers and checks and balances demonstrated?
The House of Representatives impeaches, and the Senate holds the trial