General Government
What is government?
It is the way a society organizes itself to reach shared goals.
What three natural rights did John Locke identify?
Life, liberty, and property
Define "Separation of Powers"
The division of power into 3 branches of government.
(Bonus: The Legislature makes laws, The Executive carries out those laws, and the Judiciary interprets those laws.)
What rights does the 1st amendment protect? (3/5 for the point)
Speech, press, religion, assembly, petition
What is federalism?
A system where power is shared between a national government and state governments.
What type of government is the United States?
A representative democracy (republic)
What was the name of the document declaring the US' separation from Great Britain?
The Declaration of Independence
What system allows the 3 branches of government to limit the powers of the others?
Checks and Balances
What is the 4th amendment?
Protection against unreasonable search and seizure.
What are the powers called that are shared between state and national governments?
What is the difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy?
Who makes the laws—citizens directly or elected representatives.
What was the name of the United States' government document before the Constitution?
The Articles of Confederation
What event happened that revealed how ineffective the Articles of Confederation were.
Shays' Rebellion
(bonus candy if you can describe the event)
What does the 5th amendment do?
It guarantees Due Process. You can't be tried twice for the same crime, you can't be deprived of life, liberty, or property without going through a visible legal process.
What does the Necessary and Proper Clause do?
Grants Congress whatever powers are Necessary and Proper so that they can carry out their enumerated powers.
What are three common ways citizens participate in government?
I'll accept a variety of answers here. Here are some samples: Voting, protesting, contacting elected officials, etc.
What does the phrase “no taxation without representation” mean?
Colonists should not be taxed without having a voice in government.
Why was the Bill of Rights added? (2 answers)
To protect people's rights, and to persuade Anti-Federalists to ratify.
What does the 6th amendment do?
Guarantees your right to a speedy trial.
What's the main difference between categorical and block grants?
The main difference is that categorical grants are for specific, narrowly defined purposes with strict federal restrictions, while block grants provide broader, flexible funding for general policy areas (like health or community development) with fewer strings attached
Why is civic engagement important in a democracy?
It allows citizens to influence government and protect their rights.
According to Locke’s ideas, when do people have the right to change government?
When the government violates their natural rights.
What conflict led to the Great Compromise, and what was the outcome of the Great Compromise?
Large and small states could not agree whether representation should be based on population, or if states should receive equal representation regardless of size. The result was a bicameral legislature (2 houses) where the House of Representatives apportions votes according to population, and the Senate has 2 votes regardless of how many people live there. (bonus candy if you used the term bicameral or apportion)
What does the 10th amendment do?
It reserves powers not given to the federal government and not prohibited to the states, to the states.
What does the Supremacy Clause say?
Federal law is supreme over state law.