American Government Final Exam Quiz and Flashcards: U.S. Constitution Chapter 2

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of the New Deal initiated by US President Franklin Roosevelt?

To increase military spending

To privatize social programs

To reduce the power of the presidency

To transform people's views of the role of the federal government (correct)

Which branch of the US military does the President act as the supreme commander of, including control over military strategy?

US Navy

US Air Force

US Coast Guard (correct)

US Marine Corps

In cases involving foreign affairs, what broad powers were granted to the President by the US Supreme Court during Franklin Roosevelt's administration?

Limited authority in foreign matters

Broadest latitude to use emergency powers (correct)

No involvement in foreign affairs

Strict restrictions on executive actions

Which landmark case granted the US Supreme Court its most significant power?

Marbury v. Madison Signup and view all the answers

What is considered the highest form of law in the United States?

Constitutional law Signup and view all the answers

What type of jurisdiction does the US Supreme Court primarily act as?

Appellate jurisdiction Signup and view all the answers

In the federal court system, which courts have primary jurisdiction for most cases?

Trial courts Signup and view all the answers

'Judicial review' is a significant power exercised by which entity?

Supreme Court Signup and view all the answers

Which branch of the US government is described in Article III of the Constitution?

Judicial branch Signup and view all the answers

What was the main factor in the eventual ratification of the US Constitution?

Promise of a bill of rights Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment in the Bill of Rights is focused on criminal due process rights?

5th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

According to the US Constitution, what prevails in case of a conflict between national and state laws?

National laws Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary focus of Article V of the US Constitution?

The amendment process Signup and view all the answers

What concept does the Supremacy Clause in the US Constitution embody?

National superiority Signup and view all the answers

In creating Congress, what did the founders aim to achieve regarding the President's power?

Limit the President's power Signup and view all the answers

Freedom of Speech, Freedom of Assembly, and Freedom of Press are guaranteed by which document?

Bill of Rights Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Speaker of the House of Representatives?

Most powerful person in the House of Representatives Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment shifted the power to elect senators from state legislatures to popular elections?

17th Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What is a statutory power of the president?

Power to issue executive orders Signup and view all the answers

What does the role of ombudsperson involve for a member of Congress?

Advocating on behalf of constituents with bureaucratic agencies Signup and view all the answers

Which position plays a significant role in managing and supervising the US economy?

Chair of the Federal Reserve Board Signup and view all the answers

What is the Electoral College requirement for a presidential candidate to win?

$270$ electors Signup and view all the answers

Who is the Chair of the National Security Council?

$U.S$ President Signup and view all the answers

What does a joint committee in Congress consist of?

$Members$ from both chambers of Congress Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The Executive Branch

The President decides when to send troops into battle and has control over military strategy, acting as the supreme commander of the US Coast Guard.
The President has the broadest latitude to use emergency powers in cases involving foreign affairs.

The Judiciary

The US court system is a "dual court system" with the US Supreme Court primarily acting as a court of appellate jurisdiction.
Marbury v. Madison was an early landmark case that granted the US Supreme Court its most significant power.
The highest form of law in the United States is constitutional law.
The main court of original jurisdiction for most cases are the trial courts.
The Supreme Court's most significant power is judicial review.

The Constitution

The US Constitution describes three foundational government bodies or branches.
The main factor in the Constitution's ratification was the promise to add a bill of rights.
Article III describes the powers and structure of the judicial branch.
Article V outlines the process of constitutional amendment.
The Supremacy Clause establishes national laws as supreme over conflicting state laws.

Civil Rights/Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights contains broad principles and means of political expression, including freedom of speech, assembly, petition, and press.
Focus on Amendments 4, 5, 6, and 8, known as "criminal due process rights."

The Legislative Branch

The Framers' vision for Congress was to be responsive to the people's needs and will.
Joint Committees include members of both chambers of Congress.
Select Committees are created to address specific policy issues.
Standing Committees include the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Hopper is the wooden box where House members insert proposed bills.
Filibuster is a procedural move to halt a bill's passage.
Congressional Oversight ensures that laws are administered according to legislators' intentions.
A Transportation Bill is used to appropriate funds for special projects.
The incumbent has the most important determinant in a successful congressional campaign.

The Senate

Each state has two senators.
The 17th Amendment shifted the power to elect senators from state legislatures to popular elections.
The Senate Majority Leader is the most powerful person in the Senate.

The House of Representatives

This chamber was created to closely represent the people's views.
The Speaker of the House is the most powerful person in the House.

The Presidency/Executive Branch

Statutory Powers are presidential powers granted by Congress.
The Electoral College has 538 electors, and a candidate needs 270 to be elected president.
There are 15 executive departments serving the president.
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for creating the president's annual budget.
The Head of the Department of Justice is the Attorney General.
The Chair of the Federal Reserve Board is appointed by the president and advises on economic matters.
The National Security Council advises the president on foreign policy and national security issues.
If both the president and vice president die or are unable to govern, the line of succession is the Speaker of the House, Senate president pro tem, secretary of state, and secretary of the treasury.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Prepare for your American Federal Government final exam with this study guide focusing on Chapter 2 of The U.S Constitution. Learn about the three foundational government branches, the ratification process, and the importance of a bill of rights. Special emphasis on Article III of the US Constitution.

American Federal Government Final Exam Study Guide: Chapter 2 - The U.S Constitution

Choose a study mode