Preamble
The introduction to the U.S. Constitution that lists the goals of the country is known as what?
The Preamble
When one branch of government has the ability to limit the power of another branch, this is called what. The purpose of this is to make sure one branch does not become too powerful.
Checks and Balances
Legislative branch, or Congress, is broken up into two separate houses. What are they?
House of Representatives / Senate
Who is the leader of the Executive Branch
The president
The idea in America that powers are shared between the federal / national government and the state governments are known as what?
Federalsim
List at least one goal listed in the Preamble and what does actually mean?
More Perfect Union- Create a better government
Establish Justice- Fair and Equal Court system
Ensure Domestic Tranquility- Peace in the Country
Provide for the Common Defense- Protect the country/citizens from foreign threats
Promote the General Welfare- Provide for the safety, health, general well being of the Citizens
Secure the Blessings of Liberty for ourselves and our posterity - Ensure individual freedoms for citizens now and in the future
Provide at least one example of a check and balance that one branch of government has over another.
President vetoes a law, Congress impeaches a president, Supreme Court rules a law as unconstitutional.
Name two of the qualifications for either house of congress.
HOR- 25 years old, citizen for 7 years, live in the state you represent.
Senate- 30 years old, citizen for 9 years, live in the state you represent.
Who advises the president on specific issues.
The cabinet or departments.
What are the three famous words that start the Constitution?
We the people
What is the Electoral College
The system of voting we have in America to choose the President
What is the principle that says the government can only do what the people allow it to do?
Limited Government
Name two roles or jobs of the Legislative Branch
Approve the President’s budget
Declare war
Senate approval/rejection of treaties
Coin Money
Collect Taxes
Senate approval and rejection of Presidential appointments
Make Laws
What are the three specific qualifications to be president of the United States.
Must be 35 years old
Must be a natural born citizen
Must have lived in the U.S. the last 14 years
What are Enumerated Powers? give an example
Powers listed for the federal government. EX; coin money, declare war, maintain army navy etc.
How is is the number of votes each state has in the electoral college decided?
Based on the number of members in Congress. Population (House of Representatives) + 2 Votes (Senate)
The idea that all people in the county need to follow the same laws. This includes members of the government
Rule of Law.
The number of people that serve in House of Representatives and the Senate differ based on what?
HOR- Population
Senate- Equal representation
List two specific departments and what they actually do.
Many answers
What are Reserved Powers? Give an example
Powers reserved for the states. Setting up schools, conduct elections, regulate trade within a state.
Name three ways America can interact with other nations (Foreign Policy)
War, Treaties, International Organizations, Foreign Aid.
a political theory that government is created by and subject to the will of the people. The people rule.
Popular Sovereignty
How would you summarize the process of a bill turning into a law?
Bill is proposed, debated in committee, voted on in one house, bill goes through similar steps in the next house, needs to passed, sent to the president for signature.
Electoral college system, each state a specific number of votes based on the number of people they have in Congress. The candidate that reaches 270 wins.
What are the three different sections of the U.S. Constitution. Brief overview of them?
Preamble- Introduction and goals.
Articles- Branches of government and how the government will work.
Amendments- Our individual rights and any changes made to the Constitution