Branches of Government
What are the three branches of government?
Federal, Judicial, Executive
What is the main role of the federal government?
Only the federal government can regulate interstate and foreign commerce, declare war and set taxing, spending and other national policies.
To conduct national politics.
What is the purpose of a constitution?
The written law of the land / the blueprint of a government.
When was the last presidential election? Who won?
Yesterday, Trump
Which recent president was mostly raised outside of the mainland United States?
What is the main role of each branch of government?
Legislative -- Makes Laws
Executive -- Enforces Laws
Judicial -- Judges Laws
What is the main role of the state government?
To control local politics.
What is protected by the first amendment? Name at least two things.
What is voter registration?
The act / process of becoming an official voter.
This president is our only red haired president, though he very rarely is pictured that way.
George Washington
What are checks and balances / the separation of powers?
Checks and Balances = limits put on each part of the government by one another
SOP: The idea that no one section of the gov. should have all the power.
Name one power that is reserved for the states
Elections: States conduct and ratify elections, including presidential elections.
Local government: States create local governments, such as counties and townships.
Public safety: States establish police and fire departments, and oversee public safety systems.
Education: States establish public schools and oversee state courts.
Marriage and divorce: States pass laws regarding marriage and divorce, and issue marriage certificates.
Licenses: States issue driver's licenses and professional licenses.
Business regulation: States regulate businesses within their borders.
Welfare: States implement welfare programs.
Industry regulation: States regulate industry within their borders.
State highways: States maintain state highways.
What are the three branches of government listed in the constitution?
Executive, Legislative, Judicial
If a person wins 51% of the popular vote, do they become president automatically?
No, they have to pass the electoral college.
Which president popularized macaroni and cheese in the United States?
Thomas Jefferson
How can the judicial branch check the power of the legislative?
The judicial branch can get rid of laws by declaring them unconstitutional.
The Federal Government has Supremacy over the state governments. What does this mean?
Supremacy = they have to listen to the federal government.
What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
To explain / list the rights of all American citizens.
What is a safe state? Is Illinois a safe state?
A safe state = a state where one party is basically guaranteed to win, IL is a safe state for the democrats
Martin van Buren.
Which branch of government is involved with voting?
All three to various degreess.
What is federalism?
Federalism is a system of government that divides power between a central government and regional governments
Name at least one amendment to the Constitution and explain what it does.
Many answers -- 1-27.
What is the electoral college?
The 538 person group that actually elects the president; individual peoples votes are actually a set of instructions telling this group what to do.
Which president is the only to serve more than 2 terms?
FDR
What is one unique power of the executive branch?
Which level of government can declare war?
Federal
What does the Constitution establish as the highest court in the land? How long do judges serve on this court?
Supreme Court -- serve for life.
Who can vote in the United States?
Any citizen over the age of 18 who is registered and has not committed a felony.
Which president is the only to never be elected?
Gerald Ford
Who are the only two presidents to serve non-consecutive (not back to back) terms?
Grover Cleveland and (as of this morning) Donald Trump
Who is the head of the federal government? Who is the head of the state government?
Federal: President -- Joe Biden and then Trump
State: Illinois -- JB Pritzker
What did the constitution originally establish as the voting age in the United States?
21 years old.
How can citizens impact politics besides voting? Name at least 3.
- Protest, volunteering, going to town meetings, running for office, talking to their officials
Which president was a well known local wrestling champ as a kid?
Abraham Lincoln