Foundations
Why did the colonists fight the British?
▪ because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
▪ because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
▪ because they didn’t have self-government
What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
The Constitution was written.
Define Popular Sovereignty
a government that exists only with the consent of the governed
Who is in charge of the executive branch?
the president
If both the President and the Vice President can no longer serve, who becomes President?
The Speaker of the House
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
▪ (Thomas) Jefferson
There are four amendments to the Constitution about who can vote. Describe one of them.
26th: Citizens eighteen (18) and older (can vote).
24th: You don’t have to pay (a poll tax) to vote.
19th: Any citizen can vote. (Women and men can vote.)
14th: A male citizen of any race (can vote).
Give an example of limited government
1. The Constitution
2. Bill of Rights
Who makes federal laws?
▪ Congress
▪ Senate and House (of Representatives)
▪ (U.S. or national) legislature
When a person says “I plead the Fifth,” what does that mean?
pleading the Fifth means exercising their right to remain silent and not incriminate themselves.
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
▪ July 4, 1776
What does the Constitution do?
▪ sets up the government
▪ defines the government
▪ protects basic rights of Americans
Define "Separation of Powers"
executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided among three independent and coequal branches of government
What are the two parts of the U.S. Congress?
the Senate and House (of Representatives)
Due Process; Eminent Domain; Double Jeopardy; and Protection from Self incrimination can be located in which amendment?
5th
What were the series of essays written in support of the Constitution that were published in many major newspapers across the nation?
Federalists Papers
What is an amendment?
a change (to the Constitution) or an addition (to the Constitution)
Give one example of "checks and balances" being used
1. Bills go to President
2. Congress overriding Presidents veto
3. Senate declaring war
4. The President can appoint federal judges and officials, but the Senate must confirm them.
5. Congress can impeach and remove the President from office for high crimes and misdemeanors
6. Congress can pass laws, but the Supreme Court can declare them unconstitutional.
How many U.S. Senators are there?
100
Article I of the US Constitution centers around what?
The Legislative Branch
Why did the Anti-Federalists want a bill of rights added to the Constitution?
They believed that a bill of rights would protect the freedom of the American people.
Who is the Commander in Chief of the military?
the President
What is "Judicial Review"
the power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action
We elect a U.S. Representative for how many years?
two years
What are "concurrent powers"?
those powers that both the National Government and the States possess and exercise
What compromise was made by Federalists and Anti-Federalists in the ratification of the Constitution?
1. Federalist: agreed to add a bill of rights
2. Anti-Federalists agreed to ratify the new Constitution
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
Twenty-seven (27)
Define "federalism"
divides power between the national government and several regional governments like States.
The House of Representatives has how many voting members?
four hundred thirty-five (435)
What are "expressed powers"?
powers directly stated in the constitution
Name (2) problems under the Articles of Confederation?
1. Lack of power to tax
2. Weak central government
3. Unanimous vote requirement for amendments:
4. State sovereignty over national interests
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights
What is the "rule of law"?
▪ Everyone must follow the law.
▪ Leaders must obey the law.
▪ Government must obey the law.
▪ No one is above the law.
How many justices are on the Supreme Court?
Nine (9)
Describe to process a bill must go through before becoming a law.
1. Bill is introduced
2. Bill goes to committee
3. Both the Senate and HOR must agree on the bill
4. Bill is sent to the President
5. The president signs, it becomes a law. He/she vetoes the bill and it goes back to Congress
6. Congress can override the veto with 2/3votes in each house