Government Purposes
This purpose of government involves creating courts and a legal system to settle disputes and punish those who break laws.
What is establishing and administering justice?
The government uses this power to collect money from individuals and businesses to pay for public services.
What is levying taxes?
The leader of the executive branch at the local level is usually this elected official.
Who is the mayor?
The phrase “form a more perfect Union” means the founders wanted to do this.
What is create a stronger or better government/nation?
This document begins with the famous words “We the People.”
What is the U.S. Constitution?
Protecting the country from foreign attacks and maintaining a military are examples of this government purpose.
What is providing national security?
The Constitution gives the federal government this power to defend the nation against other countries.
What is making war?
At the state level, this group is made up of the highest-ranking officials in the judicial branch.
What is the DE/state supreme court?
The phrase “establish Justice” refers to the government’s responsibility to do this.
What is create a fair system of laws and courts?
This branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws.
What is the judicial branch?
Police departments, crossing guards, and the National Guard help the government fulfill this purpose.
What is maintaining order?
Making treaties and maintaining relationships with other countries are examples of this government power.
What is conducting foreign policy?
Who leads the legislative branch on the local level?
Who are councilmen/City Hall members?
The phrase “insure domestic Tranquility” refers to this government goal.
What is maintain peace and order within the country?
The Constitution divides the federal government into these three branches AND these three levels.
What are executive, judicial, and legislative, AND federal/national, state, and local?
Managing public lands, natural resources, and the nation’s money are examples of this purpose.
What is managing resources?
Congress uses this power when it creates a law requiring people to follow a certain safety standard.
What is make/enforce laws and regulations?
The leader of the executive branch at the state level is this official.
Who is the governor?
The phrase “provide for the common defense” means the government should do this.
What is protect the nation from threats?
This idea divides government power between the national government and state governments.
What is federalism?
Building roads, providing public education, and operating libraries are examples of government fulfilling this purpose.
What is providing public services?
If the federal government puts a tax on imported goods coming from Canada, which government power is it exercising?
What is levying taxes?
Congress, the national government's leaders of the legislative branch, are made up of these two groups.
What are the House of Representatives and the Senate?
These three words from the Preamble, “Life, Liberty, and Happiness”, are NOT actually found in the Preamble. Instead, the Preamble says the government should “promote the general ____.”
What is Welfare?
This clause in the Constitution establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.
What is the Supremacy Clause?