Declaration of Independence
Why were most Framers dedicated to the concept of limited government?
They were convinced that governmental power poses a threat to individual liberty. (The British)
Name the 6 principles of the constitution.
Federalism, Limited Government, Popular Sovereignty, Republicanism, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances.
Possible exceptions: Independent Jury, Rule of Law (TCI)
Name the current and previous vice presidents
Kamala Harris
Mike Pence
What does the Declaration say is the purpose of a government?
To secure and protect the unalienable rights of man.
How does the Constitution establish the separation of powers among the three branches of government? (What are the powers?)
Executive- Enforces Laws
Judicial- Interprets Laws
Legislative- Makes laws
How does the Constitution protect individual rights?
Grants civil liberties and rights.
Why was the Bill of Rights formed?
It was formed because the constitution laid out what the government COULD do, but did not lay out what it could NOT do.
How are supreme court justices nominated and by whom?
President and only after someone leaves (retires, dies, removed).
(9 justices, life term)
Thomas Jefferson derived the most famous ideas in the Declaration of Independence from the writings of which English philosopher?
John Locke
Can you provide 2 examples of how the system of checks and balances ensures that no one branch of government becomes too powerful?
Answers will vary.
Congress makes laws, but president vetoes.
Congress can override presidential vetoes.
Courts can declare congressional laws unconstitutional
Congress has the power to impeach the President and individuals serving on the courts.
What are the main differences between the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution?
Articles: Power resided in states
Constitution: Power for federal gov't
Give 2 examples of how the Bill of Rights uphold the ideas of liberty.
Answers will vary
What is the electoral college and how does it function is deciding presidential elections
The Electoral College consists of 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President.
The Electoral College process consists of the selection of the electors, the meeting of the electors where they vote for President and Vice President, and the counting of the electoral votes by Congress.
Give 1 example of how the DOI upholds the idea of Liberty and 1 example of how it upholds the idea of Limited Government
Answers will vary.
Liberty: All men are created equal, unalienable rights, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.
Limited Gov't: Government cannot violate the rights of individuals. Governments are adherent to the people. Their powers come from the governed. The people have the right to abolish tyranny.
What is the concept of federalism
A system of constitutional government in which power is divided into layers with several states on one level and an overarching federal government on another with authority balanced between the state and federal governments.
What 5 freedoms are discussed w/ in the 1st Amendment?
Freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and petition
What is the role of the Vice President? How are they selected?
President of the Senate
Chosen by Prez
Who wrote the Leviathan and what did it state about human nature and the role of government?
Must get all 3 parts!
Thomas Hobbes
State of anarchy, where the strong dominate the weak
Strong central government, He believed people should give up some of their personal liberties for the greater good, protection, and rule by a powerful sovereign- these beliefs constituted Hobbes' ideas about the social contract.
What does the principle of popular sovereignty mean, and how is it reflected in the Constitution?
the government can only exercise authority if it has been given permission to do so by the People.
example: The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States. Congress, republicanism.
How can an amendment be ratified?
An amendment may be proposed by a two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress, or, if two-thirds of the States request one, by a convention called for that purpose. The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each State for ratification.
You have been arrested and accused of a criminal act. Police want to search your home. Assuming this goes to trial, What amendments will come into play?
There are 3.
4th - Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures (warrant)
5th - Due Process
6th - speedy and public trial
What is the impeachment process of a U.S. President?
1. Majority vote by House
2. 2/3 vote by senate