Branches of Government
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.
What Amendment protects your right to freedom of speech, religion, and assembly?
First Amendment
What principle says the power lies with the people in government?
Popular Sovereignty
What is it called when the president stops a bill from becoming law?
Veto
Who has the Right to sign or veto laws?
The president
What branch makes the laws?
Legislative
Which Amendment protects you from cruel and unusual punishment, or high fines and bail?
The eighth Amendment
What does limited government mean, and what does it prevent?
That the government has to follow the laws as well and is used to prevent the government from becoming too powerful.
What if the president vetoes a bill, but Congress wants to override his veto? What do they need to do that?
Override it with a 2/3 vote in both the House of Representatives, and the Senate.
What happens if a state law contradicts a federal law?
Federal law is the Supreme Law of the Land.
Which branch enforces the laws?
Executive
What does the Fourth Amendment protect you from?
Unreasonable searches and seizures without a warrant.
What principle divides power between national and state governments?
What can the Supreme Court do if a law violates the Constitution?
They use the power of Judicial Review to strike it down.
How does the Constitution protect both freedom and fairness?
By stating our rights, and through the separation of power and checks and balances.
Which branch interprets laws and settles disputes?
Judicial
Why would the Sixth Amendment be important in a trial?
If you're accused of a crime, you have the right to a fair and speedy trial, along with representation.
What is the purpose of Judicial Review, and who carries it out?
Judicial Review is carried out by the Judicial branch and is used to check and balance the other branches in deciding if laws are constitutional.
If Congress passes a law that limits free speech, what action can the Judicial branch take to check this power? Which amendment does this violate?
The Judicial branch can use the process of Judicial review to determine the law violates the first amendment.
How do citizens take thier role in Popular Sovereignty?
They can vote for the officials that have the values they want to see executed. Using their first amendment right to speak out, protest, and participating in their community.
Describe one power that is specific to each branch.
Legislative: Declares war, writes and passes laws, approves treaties.
Executive: veto bills, appoints federal judges, commands the armed forces, negotiates treaties.
Judicial: Power of judicial review (overturn unconstitutional laws), and protects individual rights.
Give an example of a right that you have, that isn't explicitly stated in the constitution. What Amendment does this apply to?
The Ninth Amendment states that you have rights that aren't listed in the Constitution. Right to privacy; medical records, family matters, online activity. You can travel from state to state without documentation, like you would need going out of the country Refusal of medical care or choosing treatment plans. Parents making decisions about their children (religion, medical, education etc.) Right to associate with the people of your choosing and choosing career and family paths.
Explain how separation of powers and checks and balances work together to protect democracy.
They divide the power and allow the branches to limit each other's power.
If the president signs a law against student protests at school, and a student challenges it in court, how do all three branches play a role in this situation? What was their roles in the law passing?
The legislative branch created the law, the executive branch signed it, and the judicial branch can review the law to decide if it violates the First Amendment.
If a new law is proposed, what would the branches roles be in passing it?