6 Big Ideas
Republic or Republicanism
Which Amendments are a part of the Bill of Rights?
What does the term suffrage refer to?
The right to vote
Who introduces bills into Congress?
A member of Congress (A Representative or a Senator)
How long are the terms of a US Senator?
6 years
Define the term federalism.
The division of power between state, local, and federal governments
Which Amendment protects individuals in criminal cases including protection against self-incrimination and double jeopardy?
5th Amendment
Which amendment granted suffrage to women?
19th Amendment
What two actions can the President or Governor do when the bill arrives to their desk?
Sign the bill into law or veto the bill
What does the term bicameral mean?
Which of the Six Big Ideas of the Constitution refers to the division of power between the three branches of government?
Separation of Powers
What does the 3rd Amendment protect citizens from?
The 3rd Amendment protects against forced quartering of soldiers.
Which amendments are referred to as the Reconstruction Amendments?
13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
What is the first step of the classic legislative process?
The legislation/ bill must be drafted
What is the term for the manipulation of legislative districts usually in favor of one party?
Gerrymandering
The President or Governor's ability to veto a bill is an example of which of the Six Big Ideas?
Checks and Balances - each branch has the ability to restrain by amending or vetoing the acts of the other two branches.
Which amendment protects against cruel and unusual punishment?
8th Amendment
Which Amendment prohibited the production and sale of alcoholic beverages and which Amendment repealed prohibition?
The 21st repealed prohibition
Which legislative body must revenue and tax bills begin in?
The House of Representatives
What is one reason the founding fathers wanted legislation to be difficult to pass?
It makes it more difficult for Congress to pass laws on fleeting instincts or without necessary deliberation
Ensures that large scale and dramatic reform are difficult to pass and that the status quo is more likely to stay the same
Makes it difficult for a single faction or interest group to enact laws and restrictions that unfairly favor them.
In the documentary "A More Perfect Union" we learned that the national government can regulate interstate commerce even if a product never leaves the state. This included firearms, agriculture, and even toilets.
Which of the Six Big Ideas does this example apply to?
Federalism
Name all of the rights protected under the 1st Amendment.
1. Religion
2. Speech
3. Of the Press
4. To Assemble
5. To Petition
Define the terms civil liberties and civil rights.
Civil rights guarantee the equal treatment and protection of individuals by the government. Civil rights are usually defined by supreme court decisions.
Civil liberties limit the power of the government to ensure personal freedoms. Civil liberties are the basic rights laid out in the Bill of Rights.
They can be sources of information, ideas and innovations.
They can help politicians strategize how to pass or block legislation
They can help create a campaign strategy and get interest groups to support the candidate
They can write legislation for a member of congress to introduce
Name the title of the presiding officer of the US House of Representatives and name the representative who holds this position.
Speaker of the House, Mike Johnson.