Foundations
In what year was the US Constitution drafted and signed?
1787
Name the three branches of the federal government.
Legislative, executive and judicial.
What is meant by limited government?
Government power is constitutionally restricted; no branch has unlimited authority.
Who can veto a bill passed by Congress?
The President.
What is federalism?
The constitutional division of power between federal and state governments.
What does codified mean?
The central constitutional rules are set out in one authoritative written document.
Which branch is established by Article I?
Congress/the legislative branch.
What is meant by popular sovereignty?
Government authority ultimately comes from the people.
How can Congress override a presidential veto?
Two-thirds of those present and voting in each chamber must support the bill, provided a quorum exists.
What name is given to the first ten amendments?
The Bill of Rights.
What does entrenched mean?
A special amendment process is required; ordinary legislation cannot change it.
Which branch is established by Article II?
The presidency/the executive branch.
What is separation of powers?
Governmental powers and personnel are divided between separate branches.
How does the Senate check presidential power?
It can confirm or reject presidential nominees.
How many constitutional amendments have been ratified?
27.
What does it mean that the Constitution is the supreme law?
It stands above ordinary federal and state law; conflicting laws or actions are invalid.
Which branch is established by Article III?
The judicial branch: one Supreme Court and lower federal courts established by Congress.
What are checks and balances?
Powers allowing each branch to restrain the other branches.
What is judicial review?
The courts can hold laws or executive actions unconstitutional when deciding cases.
If valid federal law conflicts with state law, which prevails and under which clause?
Federal law prevails under the Supremacy Clause in Article VI.
Give one strength and one weakness of entrenchment.
Strength: stability or protection from tyranny of the majority.
Weakness: rigidity or difficulty adapting.
Name both chambers of Congress and one constitutional power unique to each.
House of Representatives: sole power to impeach, power of the purse.
Senate: sole power to try impeachments, treaty advisory.
How did the framers’ fear of creating another king or tyrant shape the US Constitution?
They divided power among three branches and allowed each branch to check the others, preventing any one person or institution from becoming dominant.
Explain the two stages required to remove a President through impeachment.
The House impeaches by simple majority. The Senate requires two-thirds of senators present to convict and remove.
Explain the two proposal routes and two ratification routes for a constitutional amendment.
Proposal: two-thirds of both congressional chambers or a convention requested by two-thirds of state legislatures.
Ratification: three-quarters of state legislatures or state conventions.