Government and the state
The 3 branches of the US government
What is...
legislative: makes laws
executive: enforces laws
judicial: interprets laws
What do the first 3 Articles of the Constitution discuss?
the 3 branches of the national government
What amendment allows for the states to have powers?
10th
How many members/seats are there in the House and Senate?
435 and 100
What is the minimum age needed to be president?
35
What are the elements necessary to be a state?
land
people
government
sovereignty
How many formal amendments are there?
27
What clause allows for the implied powers?
Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause)
When are congressional elections held?
first Tuesday after a Monday in November in even-numbered years
Who is 3rd in line to the presidency?
VP, Speaker, Pres. Pro Tempore
How is the US government classified?
federal
indirect democracy
presidential
When was the Constitution:
written?
ratified?
When was the Bill of Rights added to it?
1787
1788
1791
Identify 4 reserved powers.
establish schools
establish marriage and divorce laws
establish gambling, driving, drinking and prostitution laws
provide for public safety
establish local governments
regulate business within a state
regulate trade and roads with a state
When do new terms of Congress begin?
January 3rd of every odd-numbered year
What does the 22nd amendment say?
no one can be elected top the presidency more than twice
In what form of government is the power divided between a central government and regional governments?
What is an informal amendment?
What is an example of an informal amendment?
a change or addition to the Constitution but nor in written form.
basic legislation
actions of the executive
Supreme Court decisions
customs
Identify 5 concurrent powers
tax
promote the general welfare
establish courts
borrow money
claim private property for public use
charter banks
maintain law and order
establish a police force
promote environmental and health standards
What term is Congress currently in?
116th
When the president works to create a treaty, he is fulfilling what presidential role?
Chief Diplomat
How are governments classified? (3 categories)
Who gets to participate?
Where is the power to govern located?
What is the relationship like between the branches?
Identify 3 of the 6 purposes of the US government laid out in the Preamble.
establish justice
promote the general welfare
secure the blessings of liberty
provide for the common defense
ensure domestic tranquility
form a more perfect union
What are the national government's obligations to the states?
protect the states from invasion
provide the states with a representative government
recognize the legal boundaries of each state
What are the 4 ways that members of Congress can vote? Define each.
partisan- with their party
delegate- keeping in mind their constituents
trustee- with their conscience
politico- balancing all 3
Identify 3 flaws in the Electoral College system?
popular vote winner may not become president
electors may break their pledge
House may have to decide the Pres. if no onw gets to 270 or there is a 269/269 tie.