Early Government Issues
The Articles of Confederation created the
nation's first constitution
The federal government is divided into separate branches to
make sure no one group of government has power over any other
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution are called?
Bill of Rights
A bill starts out as an
idea.
Obeying the law is a
Duty
The main cause of Shays' Rebellion was the
collection of heavy taxes, the prosecution (jailing) of farmers, and loss of farms
The way that each branch limits the powers of the other branches is known as
Checks and Balances
The First Amendment protects
right to petition and assemble peacefully, and freedom of speech, press, and religion
What is the second step in how a bill becomes a law?
The bill has to pass through both houses of Congress.
One large limit placed on a person exercising a right is that
They cannot cause harm to others or take away rights of others
What problem did Anti-federalists have with the Constitution?
They felt that the central government had been given too much power and that more power should be given to the states.
What is a federal system of government?
powers are shared among different levels of government
An individual's right to keep and bear arms (guns) is protected under the
Second Amendment
What is the third step for how a bill becomes a law?
The bill is given to the president.
What is required for a person to become a naturalized citizen?
They must learn laws, rights, and responsibilities of American citizenship to pass the citizenship test.
What position did Federalists hold towards the new constitution?
They supported the Constitution and believed a strong central government could help them defend against Native Americans.
The key principle of popular sovereignty used to build the Constitution means
the people agree to be governed and therefore have authority
The Eighth Amendment protects against
excessive bail and cruel punishment
If the president signs the bill, what happens?
It becomes a law!
What is a civic responsibility that citizens should do?
Be informed, participate in government, vote in elections, respect diversity
State whether Alexander Hamilton and Thomas Jefferson were federalist or anti-federalist.
Alexander Hamilton- Federalist
Thomas Jefferson- Anti-federalist
What is the job of each branch of government?
Legislative-makes laws
Executive-enforces laws
Judicial-interprets laws
The function of the Ninth and Tenth Amendments is to
protect personal freedoms and state powers not mentioned in the Constitution
If the president vetoes the bill, what happens?
Describe two things you can do to become an informed citizen.
Read books and articles from reliable sources.
Watch, listen to, or read debates and speeches.
Watch broadcast journalists on reliable sources.
Ask questions of others who are well informed.