US History
What document explained why the colonists were splitting from Great Britain?
Declaration of Independence
What was the first written form of government for the United States called?
Articles of Confederation
What are the first ten amendments called?
The Bill of Rights
Which branch makes laws?
Legislative branch
Who is the head of state government?
A governor
Name one British act that angered the colonists before the revolution.
Stamp Act, Tea Act, Intolerable Acts, ...
Which compromise created a two house legislature?
Great Compromise/Connecticut Compromise
What system, or principle, in the Constitution prevents one branch from becoming too powerful?
Checks and balances
Command the military, negotiate treaties, appoint judges, veto bills, ...
Name one responsibility usually handled by state governments.
Schools, highways, drivers licenses, elections, ...
What event is considered the first battle of the Revolutionary War?
Lexington and Concord
Which compromise dealt with counting enslaved people for representation?
The three-fifths compromise
Article VI of the Constitution is called the Supremacy Clause. Why?
In Clause 2 of Article VI it establishes that the US Constitution and its laws are the Supreme law of the land.
If Congress passes an unconstitutional law, which branch can stop it?
Judicial Branch
The principle (written into Constitution) that divides power between the federal and state level.
Federalism
How did the outcome of the French and Indian War contribute to tensions between Britain and the colonies?
Britain taxed the colonies to help pay off war debt. In addition, Britain increased their control of the colonies. These things angered the colonists.
The Electoral College compromise was another agreement between the delegates at the Constitutional Convention. What did it solve/decide?
The Electoral College addressed the issue of how to vote for a president (there would be a popular vote, or citizens individual votes, and then there would be electors equal to the number of senators + representatives for each state which would be a winner takes all for each state).
Articles I, II and II establishes the three branches of our government. Which branch is established by each article?
Article I - Legislative Branch (Congress)
Article II - Executive
Article III - Judicial
Explain how the other two branches could stop a law they believe is harmful after Congress passes it.
The Judicial branch could determine the law unconstitutional and the Executive branch, the president, could veto it.
Name one similarity between state governments and the federal government.
Checks and balances, three branches, separation of power, Constitutions, ...
Put these events in order: Declaration of Independence, Boston Massacre, French and Indian War, Constitutional Convention.
French and Indian War, Boston Massacre, Declaration of Independence, Constitutional Convention
Explain the issue that caused delegates to come back together to create a new Constitution instead of revising the Articles?
The Articles provided a weak central government. It did not collect taxes and without tax money the central government could not fix many issues. When there was a protest in Massachusetts, Shay's Rebellion, the central government could not stop it because they did not have the power to call in the army.
Explain the difference between expressed powers and implied powers.
Expressed powers are powers directly written into the Constitution. Implied powers are not directly written into Constitution but are inferred are there.
Congress impeaches a president. Which house starts the process and which house holds the trial?
The House of Representatives actually impeaches the president, or charges him with wrongdoing. The Senate holds the trial.
A state law passes a law that conflicts with the US Constitution, which one takes priority and why?
The federal law takes priority because of the Supremacy clause of the Constitution.