Constitution
What is the Constitution?
It's the highest law in the land- all other laws need to follow the Constitution. It defines the U.S. government and the people's rights.
Complete the Sentence:
The _____ chooses the Supreme Court Justices.
President
How many branches of government does the U.S. have? What are they called?
3- Executive, Legislative, Judicial
"The people elect the president".
What does the word "elect" mean here?
to choose/vote for
What kind of government does the U.S. have? (Two words)
A representative democracy
True or False?
FALSE!
The Framers knew that the world would change and we would need to be able to make changes. This is why we make amendments- changes or additions to the Constitution.
When was the Constitution written?
a. 1812
b. 1787
c. 1776
b. 1787
What does the Judicial branch do?
a. make laws
b. enforce laws
c. interpret laws
c. interpret laws
"Congress voted to pass the law, but the President vetoed it".
What does the word "veto" mean?
To say no, to reject
What is a representative democracy vs. a direct democracy?
Representative democracy: A government where the people elect officials who make laws and decisions.
Direct democracy: A government where the people directly make all laws and decisions.
What is Article 6?
Article 6 declares the supremacy of the Constitution- that it's the highest law of the land.
a) _____ is the plan for each state to have a number of representatives based on the size of their population. b) _____ is the plan for each state to have two representatives so it's equal.
Which was the New Jersey Plan? Which was the Virginia Plan?
a) Virginia Plan
b) New Jersey Plan
What does the Executive branch do?
a. make laws
b. enforce laws
c. interpret laws
b. enforce laws
What is an amendment?
A change or addition to the Constitution
The Senate and the House of Representatives make up ______.
Congress
What is the Bill of Rights?
What was the Great Compromise in the Constitution?
It was the mix of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan. It decided that each state would have both 2 senators and 2 representatives based on the size of population.
What does the Legislative branch do?
a. make laws
b. enforce laws
c. interpret laws
a. make laws
What are "checks and balances"?
"Checks and balances" means that each branch of the government can "check" or limit the other branches. This creates a balance of power so that one branch doesn't have too much power.
Complete the sentence:
There are 6 Supreme Court Justices in the _____ branch of government.
Judicial
Who wrote the Constitution?
The Framers
Name one amendment and what it is.
Possible answers:
1st Amendment: Americans can practice any religion they want to
1st Amendment: Americans can say whatever you want without being punished by the government
2nd Amendment: Americans can have weapons
4th-8th Amendments: If people/the government think you committed a crime, you should still be treated fairly.
9th Amendment: Just because a right isn't in the Constitution, that doesn't mean it can't be protected.
10th Amendment: States are protected
13th Amendment: Ended slavery
14th Amendment: All people (of all races) have the same rights and protections
15th Amendment: Black men have the right to vote
18th Amendment: Alcohol is not allowed
19th Amendment: Women have the right to vote
21st Amendment: Alcohol is allowed again
Name one job in each branch of the U.S. government.
Executive: President, Vice-President, Secretary of Treasury
Judicial: Supreme Court Justice, Judge
Legislative: Senator, Representative
Complete the sentence:
Congress can vote to make a bill into a _______.
law
Complete the sentence:
Supreme Court Justices serve for the rest of their life, but a President serves for ___ to 8 years.
4