Branches of Government
What are the Three Branches of Government?
Legislative, executive, and Judicial
Which freedoms are protected by the first amendment?
Freedom of speech, press, religion and petition.
What is the Constitution?
The Constitution is a document that explains how our government works. It is the highest law in the United States.
What did the Federalists support the ratification of?
The Constitution
What is the function of the executive branch AND who holds key roles in this branch of government?
The function of the executive branch is to enforce laws and the president holds key roles in this branch of government.
Which amendment is the protection of freedom of religion included in, and why did the Founding Fathers include it? Choose which amendment, then answer the multiple choice:
A. The Founding Fathers wanted to create a national religion.
B. The Founding Fathers hoped more Native Americans would become U.S. citizens.
C. The Founding Fathers wanted to keep government out of religion.
D. The Founding Fathers hoped trade relations would improve.
1st Amendment, and C. The Founding Fathers wanted to keep government out of religion.
What is an amendment and why are they needed?
An amendment is a change to the Constitution, and they are needed to keep the Constitution up to date with the changing times.
Which of the following best describes a Federalist?
A. Preferred a stronger state government
B. Believed a strong federal government was essential
C. Fought and defeated the British Navy
D. Wanted a bill of rights added to the U.S. Constitution
B. Believed a strong federal government was essential.
Which of the following would be a statement made by a member of the Judicial Branch?
A. “I cannot tolerate disobedience to our nation’s laws; I must do a better job enforcing laws.”
B. “The President appointed me to this position, and I will serve here until my term expires in 6 years.”
C. “The new law regarding health care is deemed to be constitutional; therefore, I will not overturn it.”
D. “Because this law benefits only the wealthy at the expense of the poor, I must veto this bill.”
C. “The new law regarding health care is deemed to be constitutional; therefore, I will not overturn it.”
Which of the following scenarios violates the 8th Amendment?
Select TWO correct answers.
A. A college student was pulled over for going 5mph over the speed limit and was immediately thrown in jail.
B. A news reporter was told she could not write about the price tag for the construction of a new City Hall.
C. A police officer searches random homes in an area of a recent crime looking for evidence.
D. A grandmother was charged $2,000 for parking on the wrong side of the street while at the park.
A and D
What was the Great Compromise? What did the Great Compromise lead to being added in the Constitution?
The Great Compromise was an agreement between the New Jersey Plan (small states) and the Virginia Plan (large states) to have a bicameral (two houses) legislature. This led to the House of Representatives and the Senate
Which group of people would only ratify the Constitution with a Bill of Rights AND why?
The Anti-Federalists would only ratify the Constitution with a Bill of Rights because they were afraid the new government would be too strong without the people's rights protected.
What is a "check" (a way to limit power) that the executive branch has on the legislative branch after Congress gives the president a bill they passed? What can the legislative branch due if this happens.
The president is able to veto the bill so it does not immediately become law. Congress can then pass the bill into law anyway if 2/3rds of both houses approve.
In response to the Intolerable Acts during American Revolutionary era, anyone accused of committing a crime against the king’s laws could be sent back to England to stand trial. Previously, the king had encouraged his judges to make the sole decision in legal cases. These actions angered many colonists at the time.
Why were the colonists angry AND what amendment addressed their frustrations?
Colonists did not have a jury of their peers, this was addressed in the 6th amendment.
What was the 3/5ths Compromise AND why did it need to be agreed to?
The 3/5ths Compromise was an agreement that enslaved persons would be counted as 3/5ths of the population. Southern states wanted their slaves to count towards their population so they would have more representation in Congress. Northern states opposed this.
What from United States history did the Federalists look back to, to see that the we needed a Constitutiton? What from United States history did the Anti-Federalists look back to, to be afraid of what the new government could become.
Federalists saw that the Articles of Confederation was too weak to stop Shay's Rebellion. Anti-Federalists looked back to the King of England to be afraid that could be what our president would become.