Functions of the U.S. Government
The Common Defense has a responsibility to…
Protecting the entire nation from outside threats, dangers, or attacks.
Writers of the constitution were predominantly_____.
Rich white men.
Which of the following is a reason for the separation of powers?
To prevent abuse of power and corruption
A central government with supreme power in a nation is called…
Unitary Government
_____ is the organized system or group of people that makes and enforces rules, decisions, and laws for a country, state, or community to manage public affairs and maintain order.
Government
Protesting for racial justice like Black Lives Matter is an example of which function of government?
Establishing justice
A far-right, authoritarian political ideology characterized by ultranationalism, a single-party state led by a charismatic leader, the suppression of liberal democracy, and the use of violence and state terrorism to achieve national unity and expansion is called _______.
Facism
What feature of the Constitution allows each branch of government to limit the power of the other branches?
Checks and Balances
Define federalism
A way to organize a nation so that two or more levels of government share formal authority over the same area and people.
____ is the well-being of all the people in a society — not just one group or individual. When the Constitution says the government should “promote the general welfare,” it means the government has a responsibility to create conditions that benefit everyone
General Welfare
Provide three examples of general welfare
- protecting health and safety
- supporting education
- building infrastructures
- housing
- access to food
What were the two main motives for writing the constitution?
Social and Economic
What is the supremacy clause?
Constitution, national laws, and treaties are supreme over state laws
What is the Full Faith Credit?
marriage licenses, divorce, driver’s license, and birth certificates are valid in all states
a fundamental concept of freedom, encompassing the absence of oppression and the power to pursue individual goals is called
LIBERTY
What are the five functions of government
Establishing Justice
Ensuring Domestic Tranquility
Providing for the Common Defense
Promoting the General Welfare
Secure the Blessings of Liberty
Name three ways that the American people and their culture have changed over time.
- size and population
- racial and ethnic composition
- aging/people living longer
- more religious beliefs
- family + family sizes
- regional growth and expansion
The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791, that guarantee fundamental civil rights and liberties to individuals and limit the power of the government is called
The Bill of Rights
Why did the framers of the Constitution choose federalism?
•Most citizens felt a strong loyalty to their states (more than toward a national government). In eighteenth-century America,
•People widely dispersed.
•Transportation and communication too primitive to make central government work.
•Federalism was practical choice.
___ is the concept of fairness and impartiality in the treatment of individuals, particularly in the context of law and ethics.
Justice
What are the three branches of the government
Executive
Legislative
Judicial
What are the three roots of American Government?
Native Americans
European Colonizers
Puritans/Christianity
What is the formal method of amending the constitution?
An amendment is proposed by three-fourths vote in each house of Congress and ratified by two-thirds vote in each house during the next session of Congress.
What is one way that federalism supports and works against democracy?
Supports Democracy
Decentralizes Politics
Reduces Conflict
Allows Diversity of Policy
Increases Opportunities to Participate
Increases Access to Government
Against Democracy
- Allows losers to win
- Allows local interest to thwart national majorities
- Burdens and confuses citizens
Which type of federal grant can only be used for specific purposes; often have strings attached
Categorical Grant