Principles of Government
This principle ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to monitor and limit the powers of the others.
What is checks and balances?
This amendment guarantees the right of individuals to own and carry weapons.
What is the Second Amendment?
This branch of government is responsible for making laws and is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
What is the legislative branch?
This document, signed in 1787, serves as the foundation of the U.S. government and outlines the nation’s laws and principles.
What is the U.S. Constitution?
Like the federal government, each state has this elected official who serves as the head of the executive branch at the state level.
Who is the governor?
Education, issuing driver's licenses, and conducting elections are primarily the responsibility of this level of government.
What is the state government?
This amendment, ratified in 1868, granted citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the United States and prohibited states from denying equal protection of the laws.
What is the 14th Amendment?
This principle states that the government's power comes from the people, who express their will through elected representatives
What is popular sovereignty?
This amendment protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring a warrant based on probable cause.
What is the Fourth Amendment?
As the head of the executive branch, this person has the power to veto bills, command the military, and enforce laws.
Who is the President of the United States?
This is the process by which changes can be made to the Constitution, requiring approval by two-thirds of Congress and three-fourths of the states.
What is the amendment process?
Education, issuing driver's licenses, and conducting elections are primarily the responsibility of this level of government.
What is the state government?
The President can check the power of Congress by using this action to reject a proposed law.
Answer: What is a veto?
This state-level law, passed in 2011, required voters to show a government-issued photo ID before voting, which sparked debates on voter suppression.
What is the Voter ID law?
This principle ensures that laws apply equally to all individuals, including government officials, and prevents arbitrary rule.
What is the rule of law?
This amendment states that rights not listed in the Constitution are still retained by the people.
What is the Ninth Amendment?
This landmark Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review, giving courts the power to declare laws unconstitutional.
What is Marbury v. Madison?
The Constitution begins with this famous phrase, emphasizing that government power comes from the people.
What is "We the People"?
Powers such as taxing, making laws, and establishing courts that both state and federal governments can exercise are called this.
What are concurrent powers?
This body ultimately decides the outcome of a U.S. presidential election, rather than the popular vote.
What is the Electoral College?
This amendment, ratified in 1971, lowered the voting age from 21 to 18
What is the 26th Amendment?
The idea that government power should be divided among different branches—executive, legislative, and judicial—to prevent tyranny is known as this.
What is separation of powers?
This amendment prevents the government from forcing citizens to house soldiers in their homes during peacetime.
What is the Third Amendment?
The legislative branch can check the executive branch by doing this to override a presidential veto.
What is a two-thirds vote in both the House and Senate?
This group supported the ratification of the Constitution and argued for a strong central government.
Who were the Federalists?
When a state law conflicts with a federal law, this clause of the Constitution declares that the federal law takes precedence.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
Each state has two representatives in this chamber of Congress, regardless of population size.
What is the Senate?
The original voting age for Americans.
What is 21?
This system divides power between a national government and smaller regional governments, such as states or provinces.
What is federalism?
This amendment guarantees the right to a trial by jury in civil cases where the value in controversy exceeds twenty dollars.
What is the Seventh Amendment?
This is the highest court in the United States, consisting of nine justices who serve lifetime appointments.
What is the Supreme Court?
This agreement at the Constitutional Convention created a bicameral legislature, with representation based on population in one house and equal representation in the other.
What is the Great Compromise?
The federal government has the exclusive power to print money, regulate interstate commerce, and conduct foreign affairs. These are known as this type of power.
What are enumerated (or expressed) powers?
The 25th Amendment, ratified in 1967, outlines the presidential line of succession, specifying that this individual is first in line after the Vice President.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
Native Americans have always had the right to vote
What is false?