Places
Ch. 7 Review: Where was the Constitution drafted? (same place as the Declaration of Independence)
Where is Independence Hall, Philadelphia?
B & C: This is the term for the thing that allows us to change the Constitution, or the ultimate law of the land
What is an Amendment?
EC: Give an example of one, and what it does:
Ch. 7 Review: The concept of the president was drafted around which individual?
Who is George Washington?
A: Name 1 of the 3 main branches of the federal government:
What is Legislative,
Judicial,
and / or Executive?
A: Name 2 of the goals of the constitution
What is:
To Form a more perfect Union;
To Establish Justice;
To Insure Domestic Tranquility;
To Provide for the Common Defense;
To Promote the General Welfare;
To Secure the blessings of liberty.
EC: Explain what one of these means
B: Enumerated or expressed powers are granted to this part of government
What is the federal government?
EC: Explain which part of government is given reserved rights?
B: Montesquieu came up with this idea, in order to make sure that government wouldn't get too powerful
What is the Separation of Powers?
EC: Explain what the Separation of Powers means / looks like?
Ch. 7 Review: Name one of the philosophers whose ideas were used to defend individual liberty:
Who is Rousseau, John Locke, Voltaire, Montesquieu, etc.?
This is something you should do, but isn't required:
Be Informed: know what your government is up to; don't let your rights slip away
Vote: We need informed voters to participate in government, to keep it just
Volunteer: America needs service, and you can make a difference!
Respect Others: If we do not respect one other, why should others respect us? Etc.
D: Name an example of a duty that we have as Americans (and define what duty is):
Duties are legal responsibilities that we will be held liable for if we fail to do them. These include:
Obeying Laws
Paying Taxes
Selective Service / Draft
Jury Duty, etc.
Daily Double: D: When someone comes to America, they can become a legal citizen thru:
What is naturalization?
EC: Name some requirements:
C: Name the most powerful branch of the federal government (ahem Article I) and name one of its powers:
What is the legislative branch, and some of its powers include:
Approving executive appointees (ambassadors, judges, etc.)
Approving budgets / spending
Declaring War
Creating / passing laws, etc.
C: This is the ability of the federal courts to decide if a law / policy / etc. is constitutional or not:
What is Judicial Review?
EC: Why is this power important?
Due Process rights; Freedom of Speech, Religion, etc., Right to bear arms, etc.
C: What is a purpose of the Bill Committee?
It is used to filter out bad bill ideas, or to give them feedback before they get voted on by all of Congress, etc.
First, 2/3rds of Congress or the states must agree that a specific amendment should occur.
Then, that amendment must be ratified / approved by 3/4ths of Congress or State Conventions
A, C: What is impeachment? Explain how / why it may happen
It is when a judge or the president is believed to have acted inappropriately.
A: Describe a check that each branch of government has over another branch (3 checks total)
see page 224 for some examples
B: Name 2 of the major / guiding principles of the Constitution, and why they matter:
What is:
Popular Sovereignty: the people are the source of our gov.'s power
Republicanism: Our gov. is run by elected representatives
Limited Gov: Gov is only allowed to do what the constitution has said it can do*
Federalism: Power is divided between the National / Federal Government and the states
Separation of Powers: Each of the three branches have their own responsibilities
Checks & Balances: No part of government should be too powerful, each part can stop the other from abusing its powers
Individual Rights: Basic rights are granted to all citizens
A: List at least 5 of the goals of the Constitution (preamble) and explain briefly what they each mean: