Constitution
What is the Constitution?
Body of fundamental laws which say how a government is to operate
What is the government?
institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies
What are the branches of the government?
1. Executive
2. Legislative
3.Judicial
Which were the first colonies?
New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia
What is Federalism?
type of government in which the power is divided between the national government and other governmental units
Why is the Constitution important?
It protects people's rights and explains how the government operates
What are public policies?
Things a government decides to do
What are the powers of each branch of the government?
1. Executive - execute, enforce and administer
2. Legislative - write laws
3. Judicial - interpret the law and what it means, and settle disputes
What were the types of colonies?
Royal colonies - subject to direct control of the colonies.
Proprietary colonies - grant of land given by the king.
What are delegated powers?
Powers expressed in the Constitution
Why is the Preamble Important?
Lays out the purpose and introduces the Constitution
What is sovereignty?
There is no higher authority than the state.
What relationship of checks and balances exists between the legislative and judicial branches?
Legislative - Senate confirms the president's nominations. Congress can impeach judges and remove them from office.
Judicial - Court can declare laws unconstitutional.
Who proposed the Albany Plan and in what year?
Benjamin Franklin in 1754
What kind of power is not stated but you can interpret from the Constitution?
Implied powers
Which are the Seven Articles of the Constitution?
1. Legislative Branch
2. Executive Branch
3. Judicial Branch
4. Relations Among States
5. Amendment Process
6. National Debts, National Supremacy, Oaths of Office
7. Requirements for Ratification
How many forms of government has the US government been through?
Three
What relationship of checks and balances exists between the legislative and executive branches?
Legislative -Congress approves presidential nominations and budget. Can pass laws over the president's veto and impeach him/remove him from office.
Executive - President can veto congressional legislation.
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted and by who?
1776 - 1777; by the Second Continental Congress
Supremacy Law
What are the basic principles of the Constitution?
1. Popular Sovereignty
2. Limited Government
3. Separation of powers
4. Checks and balances
5. Judicial review
6. Federalism
What are the four theories of government?
1. Force Theory
2. Evolutionary Theory
3. Divine Right Theory
4. Social Contract Theory
What relationship of checks and balances exists between the executive and judicial branches?
Executive -President nominates judges.
Judicial - Court can declare president's actions unconstitutional.
What were the powers given by the Articles of Confederation?
Congress could: declare war, deal with national finance issues, settle disputes between states
What kind of grant is the Grant-in-aid program?
Categorical grants