Citizenship & the Constitution
What is a citizen?
A citizen is a member of a community, state, or nation, which gives a person certain rights and responsibilities.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
The first plan for government in the U.S.
The legislative branch can also be understood by what other name...
Congress
Where does the judicial branch meet?
The Supreme Court Building
What is an active citizen?
An active citizen is a person who takes action to make their community, country, or world a better place.
It created a ______________ federal government where most power stayed with the ___________________.
It created a weak federal government where most power stayed with the states.
What are the two parts of Congress?
The Senate & the House of Representatives
What is the job of the executive branch?
To enforce the laws created by Congress.
What group leads the judicial branch?
What is the Constitution?
The supreme law of the US
What historical event reinforced the fact that the Articles of Confederation couldn't keep law and order in the country?
Where does Congress meet?
At the US Capitol.
Name three ruling members or groups of the executive branch.
President, Vice President, Cabinet.
What is the job of the judicial branch?
They interpret the laws.
What did the Constitution create?
The three branches of government.
What could Congress NOT do under the Articles of Confederation? (3 things)
Congress could not: collect taxes, regulate trade between states, or enforce laws.
Make laws, Declare war, Collect taxes, Regulate trade, Approve the federal budget
The executive branch also includes the heads of federal agencies. Name one example of a federal agency.
Department of Health, Department of Defense, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), NASA, and the Social Security Administration (SSA), FBI, CIA
How many justices are on the Supreme Court and how long is their term?
There are 9 Supreme Court justices who serve for life.
What two systems ensure that the government doesn't have too much power?
Checks & Balances and Separation of Powers
Why do the Articles of Confederation fail? (4 reasons)
The national government was too weak to solve big problems, couldn’t raise money, states acted like separate countries, and the government couldn’t keep order.
Name three powers of the executive branch.
Enforce laws made by Congress; Make treaties with other countries; Appoint officials to government jobs; Command the military; Sign or Veto bills
Name two responsibilities of the Supreme Court.
Decide if laws are constitutional; Settle disputes between states or people from different states; Protect individual rights