Big ideas
3 Branches
Federalism
Checks and Balances
Convention/Articles
100

This is what we call the idea that the powers of our government are split up into three separate branches of government 

What is Separation of Powers? 

100

This branch of government makes the laws 

What is the legislative branch? 

100

What is Federalism 

The National and State governments sharing power and responsibility 

100

Who can veto laws? 

Who is the President? 

What is the Executive Branch? 

100

This was the name of our FIRST System of government that did not work very well 

What are the Articles of Confederation? 

200

This is the idea that our National government shares power and responsibility with the governments of the smaller states 

What is Federalism? 

200

This branch of government carries out the laws 

What is the executive branch? 

200

What level of government (state or national) is responsible for managing the military? 

What is the national government? 

What is the Federal Government?

200

Who can impeach the President? 

What is Congress? 

What is the Legislative Branch? 

200

Name a weakness of the Articles of Confederation 

1) No power to tax 

2) no power to raise an army 

3) no national court system 

4) no President or executive branch 

5) All states had to agree to change the articles 

6) No common currency (money system) 

7) Hard to pass laws 

300

This is the idea that each branch of government can do something to limit the power of the other two branches of government 

What are checks and balances? 

300

This branch of government interprets the laws 

What is the Judicial Branch? 

300

What level of government (state or national) is responsible for running public schools? 

What is the state governments? 

300

Who can grant Pardons? 

Who is the President? 

What is the Executive branch? 

300

This was the name of the plan suggested at the convention to represent the states EQUALLY (one vote per state) that was favored by small states 

What was the New Jersey Plan? 

400

This is the idea that people elect our leaders to run the government and make decisions on their behalf  

What is a republic? 

400

Name the two houses of Congress 

What are the Senate and the House of Representatives? 

400

What level of government (state or national) is allowed to print money? 

What is the national government? 

400

Who can declare a law unconstitutional? 

Who is the supreme court? 

What is the Judicial Branch? 

400

This was the name of the plan suggested at the convention to represent the states based on population that was favored by large states 

What was the Virginia Plan? 

500

This is the idea that people have a say in what the government does 

What is democracy? 

500

This branch of government has the power to collect taxes, borrow money, create a post office, declare war, and regulate trade between the states 

What is the legislative branch/What is Congress? 

500
This is what we call powers that the state and national governments SHARE

What are concurrent powers? 

500

This is the name of the Supreme court's power to declare laws unconstitutional 

What is judicial review? 

500

This document stated Grievances against the King of England and separated the United States from Great Britain 

What is the Declaration of Independence?