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Government Vocab
Historical Documents
Beginning US Government
The Constitution
Current Events
100
A system of government in which both the national and state governments share power within the same political system.
What is federalism
100
This document was written in 1215 in England and it outlined restrictions on the king's power.
What is the Magna Carta
100
This sentence comes from what document? "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness."
What is the Declaration of Independence
100
On what day did the formal signing of the Constitution take place?
What is September 17, 1787
100
Who is Mitt Romney's running mate for Vice-President?
Who is Paul Ryan
200
This is a term used to describe something of value that, by its nature, can be made available only to everybody or not to anyone at all.
What is collective goods.
200
This person wrote a pamphlet called "Common Sense" in 1776 that promoted the idea of an American republic where free citizens, not a monarch were in control.
Who is Thomas Paine
200
What event in Western Massachusetts demonstrated that the central government under the Articles of Confederation was powerless to protect the nation from domestic violence?
What is Shays' Rebellion
200
How many ARTICLES make up the Constitution?
What is 7
200
What city was in the news recently because the teachers went on a 8-day strike?
What is Chicago
300
A system of government in which principal power lies at the level of a national or central government rather than at the level of some smaller unit within the political system.
What is a unitary system
300
This Enlightenment philosopher wrote "Leviathan" that described his State of Nature theory. He believed that people would be in constant state of conflict and insecurity because they would be putting their interests above everything else. He believed government is necessary to give people peace and security.
Who is Thomas Hobbes.
300
These two plans were proposed as replacements for the Articles of Confederation
What are the Virginia and New Jersey Plans
300
What does the term "checks and balances" mean? Please provide an example
The system of separate institutions sharing some powers that the Constitution mandates for the national government, its purpose is to keep power divided among the three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
300
When is Election Day in the US?
What is the first Tuesday (after the first Monday) in November. 2012: November 6
400
A loose association of states in which dominant political power lies with the member states and not with the central government.
What is a confederation.
400
This Enlightenment philosopher wrote "Two Treatises of Government" that rejected the claim that kings and queens had a "divine right" to rule. He believed that people have certain natural, or "self-evident" rights, such as life, liberty, and property, which the government must respect.
Who is John Locke
400
What purpose did the Declaration of Independence serve?
Publicly outlined the colonists' grievances against British rule and King George III Governments should be created by the people, and should have the people's best interests in mind
400
These kinds of powers are granted to the national government, but are not specifically cited in the Constitution. (Article I, section 8)
What is implied powers (also known as the "elastic clause" or the "necessary and proper clause")
400
Who are the 3 candidates running for the US Maine Senate seat?
Who is Cynthia Dill (D), Charlie Summers (R), and Angus King (I)
500
A government that restricts its activities to providing only goods that the free market cannot provide.
What is a minimalist state
500
This Enlightenment philosopher write the "Social Contract", which promoted the idea that people must participate in society if they want to share in its benefits.
Who is Jean-Jacques Rousseau
500
Why was the Articles of Confederation considered a weak central government?
Preserved State autonomy Guaranteed equal rights for the states Central government only had a few important powers No separate executive branch and no national courts Made amendments almost impossible
500
What are express and reserved powers? Please provide an example of each
Express: powers specifically enumerated in the Constitution as belonging to the national government (borrow money, coin money, declare war, raise and support armies) Reserved: powers not specifically prohibited to the states and not delegated to the national government by the Constitution. (welfare and safety organizations; licensing)
500
What international organization is holding meetings in New York City this week?
What is the UN General Assembly