Principles of Government
Government principle which emphasizes the need to divide governmental power into separate branches, each with a different function.
Separation of Powers
Principle which states that everyone must follow the law, even those who govern.
Rule of Law
Part of the U.S. Constitution which outlines the purpose and goals of the document.
Preamble
What is the name used to describe the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution?
Bill of Rights
Identify the function, or job of each of the 3 branches of government.
Legislative Branch - Makes the nation's laws
Executive Branch - Enforces the nation's laws
Judicial Branch - Interprets the law & Constitution
Principle which states that government is restricted in what it may do, often through limitations written in a Constitution.
Limited Government
Principle of government which says that the people are the source of any and all government powers.
Popular Sovereignty
What is outlined in Article IV (4) AND Article V (5) of the U.S. Constitution?
Article 4 - Relations between the states
Article 5 - Formal amendment process
What is outlined in Article VI (6) AND Article VII (7) of the Constitution?
Article 6 - Supremacy Clause
Article 7 - Ratification process
What positions are included in the Executive Branch?
President, Vice President, & Executive Departments
Principle which describes the system of overlapping the powers of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to allow each branch to check the actions of the others.
Checks and Balances
System of government in which power is divided between a national and several state/local governments.
Federalism
Where in the Constitution does Congress get its implied powers from?
Necessary and Proper Clause
Where in the Constitution do states get their reserved powers from?
10th Amendment
What is included in the Judicial Branch?
Supreme Court, other courts, & judges
Power of courts to determine if a law passed by Congress is constitutional.
Judicial Review
Power of courts to determine if an action of the President if constitutional.
Judicial Review
How are constitutional amendments PROPOSED?
2/3 vote of both houses of Congress
What does the “Supremacy Clause” describe as the highest level of authority in the U.S.?
Federal laws, the U.S. Constitution, and federal treaties
What institutions are included in the Legislative Branch? (3 different terms)
House of Representatives and the Senate (together known as Congress)
Why did the framers of the Constitution choose to start the Preamble with the words, “We the People…?”
They wanted to show popular sovereignty as the basis/foundation of the United States government
Explain how “Checks and Balances” is different from “Separation of Powers.”
Separation of powers is the division of governmental powers into different branches, each with different functions and powers, whereas checks and balances refers to the system between the 3 branches where they each hold the power to limit the authority of the other branches.
How are constitutional amendments RATIFIED?
3/4 vote of approval from state legislatures
According to the Supremacy Clause, what happens if a state's law or constitution contradicts (conflicts) federal law?
Which articles of the Constitution outline the structure, organization, and powers of the 3 branches of government?
Article I - Legislative Branch
Article II - Executive Branch
Article III - Judicial Branch