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Foundations of American Government
Federal, State, and Local Government
U.S. Constitution (and the Constitutional Convention)
Bill of Rights
Vocabulary
100
The Declaration of Independence cites natural rights, explains our reasons for declaring independence from Britain and goes on to list 27 grievances against this king.
Who is King George (III)?
100
If a majority of the House and a majority of the Senate pass an identical bill and the president signs it, the bill becomes this. (If a president vetoes the bill, a 2/3 majority of the House and Senate is required.)
What is law?
100
Article I of the Constitution vests legislative power (the power to make laws) in this legislative body or these legislative chambers.
What is Congress (or the Senate and House of Representatives)?
100
This amendment protects our freedoms of religion, speech (symbolic or otherwise), assembly, and the right to petition government for a "redress of grievances."
What is the 1st Amendment?
100
The division of power among central (federal) and regional (state and local) governments.
What is federalism?
200
One of the most often cites grievances in the Declaration of Independence is taxation without this.
What is representation?
200
These 3 levels of courts make up the federal (and most states') court system.
What are district (trial), appellate (appeals), and supreme courts?
200
While Federalists such as James Madison were happy with the Constitution and the creation of a strong central (federal) government, these opponents feared for the states and demanded that a Bill of Rights, listing individual and states' rights, be added.
Who are Anti-Federalists?
200
This amendment protects us against unreasonable search and seizure. That is, a warrant, just cause, or reasonable suspicion is required to conduct a search and to seize property or evidence of a crime.
What is the 4th Amendment?
200
The extent or range of authority; it could be the limits of a law enforcement agency's reach or the limits of a court's power to hear a case.
What is jurisdiction?
300
This English Enlightenment philosopher wrote that people are entitled to life, liberty, and property.
Who is John Locke?
300
Powers specifically written for and delegated to the federal government are known as these.
What are expressed (or enumerated) powers?
300
Article VI of the Constitution includes the "supremacy clause" which declares that federal law is this in relationship to state law.
What is superior (among other answers)?
300
Among other things, this amendment protects us against double jeopardy (being tried for the same crime twice), self-incrimination (testifying against ourselves), and guarantees the right to due process.
What is the 5th Amendment?
300
The power of the courts to declare laws and executive acts unconstitutional, as established in the landmark Supreme Court Case Marbury v. Madison (1803).
What is judicial review?
400
Identify 3 "weaknesses" of the Articles of Confederation, the governing document that preceded the Constitution.
Answers will vary but may include: no power to collect taxes or pay for the military, no power to enforce laws, no court system (judicial branch), equal power to large and small states, 1 legislative body, no president (executive branch), all states required to amend, etc.
400
Identify 3 differences between the US and NC Constitutions.
Answers will vary but may include: articles or sections dealing with local government, education, finance, suffrage, etc.
400
Article I of the Constitution includes the "necessary and proper," or "elastic," clause which grants the federal government these powers.
What are implied powers?
400
Among other things, this amendment guarantees the right to trial by jury and the assistance of counsel (an attorney).
What is the 6th Amendment?
400
The principles that no person can be deprived of life, liberty, or property without fair legal procedures and safeguards (e.g. trial by jury) and that everyone is guaranteed equal protection under the law, as established by the 5th and 14th Amendments.
What is due process?
500
This French Enlightenment philosopher inspired our separation of powers among three branches of government and a system of checks and balances.
Who is Montesquieu?
500
Powers that are delegated to both the federal and state governments (such as the power to tax) are known as these.
What are concurrent powers?
500
The Great (or Connecticut) Compromise reconciled these two plans, one that called for 2 legislative chambers and representation based on population and another that called for 1 legislative chamber and equal representation (1 state, 1 vote).
What are the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
500
The 10th Amendment states that powers not delegated (given) to the federal government belong to the states (or to the people). Powers that belong to the states are known as these.
What are reserved powers?
500
The principle that the people are the ultimate source of government's authority, as declared in the Declaration of Independence: "Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."
What is popular sovereignty?