Questions and Answers
What is the purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?
Introduce Constitution and state the goals of government.
What are the goals written in the Preamble to the Constitution?
Establish Justice, Ensure Domestic Tranquility, Provide for the Common Defense, Promote the General Welfare, and Secure the Blessings of Liberty, to Ourselves and our Posterity.
What is Democracy?
A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them.
What is Representative Democracy?
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What is Direct Democracy?
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What is Monarchy?
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What is Oligarchy?
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What is Dictatorship?
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What is Anarchy?
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Which type of government do we have in the U.S.?
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Which type of government is fairest to the people?
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Which type of government is the most productive?
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What are the three branches of government?
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What is the Legislative Branch of government at all three levels?
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What is the Executive Branch of government at all three levels?
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What is the Judicial Branch of government at all three levels?
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What is the most important power of the Legislative Branch?
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What is the most important power of the Executive Branch?
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What is the most important power of the Judicial Branch?
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What is the function and purpose of checks and balances?
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What is federalism and why do we have it?
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What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
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What is the First Amendment?
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What is the Second Amendment?
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What is the Third Amendment?
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What is the Fourth Amendment?
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What is the Fifth Amendment?
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What is the Sixth Amendment?
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What is the Seventh Amendment?
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What is the Eighth Amendment?
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Study Notes
Preamble of the Constitution
- Introduces the Constitution and outlines the government's goals.
- Aims to establish Justice, ensure Domestic Tranquility, provide for the Common Defense, promote General Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty.
Types of Government
- Democracy: A political system where the supreme power lies with citizens who elect representatives.
- Representative Democracy: Power is held by the people, exercised through elected representatives.
- Direct Democracy: Citizens rule directly, not through representatives.
- Monarchy: Governed by a monarch who typically inherits authority.
- Oligarchy: Rule by a small group that often leads to dictatorship.
- Dictatorship: Government where the leader holds absolute power.
- Anarchy: Absence of government, resulting in chaos and disorder.
U.S. Government Structure
- The U.S. operates as a Representative Democracy, with Congress members elected by citizens, reflecting their will.
- The fairest government type for people is either form of democracy, as they consider public opinion.
- Dictatorship is noted as being the most productive form of governance.
Branches of Government
- Legislative Branch: Responsible for making laws; includes Congress, State Legislature, and City Council.
- Executive Branch: In charge of enforcing laws; consists of the President, Governor, and Mayor.
- Judicial Branch: Interprets laws; encompasses the Supreme Court, State Supreme Court, and Municipal Court.
Powers of Government Branches
- Legislative Branch: Primary power is law-making.
- Executive Branch: Main power is law enforcement.
- Judicial Branch: Key function is law interpretation.
Checks and Balances
- Designed to maintain oversight among branches, ensuring citizens' rights are protected and preventing drastic government actions.
Federalism
- A system dividing governmental powers between the National Government and the 50 States, allowing for a balance of authority.
Bill of Rights
- Comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution, detailing basic citizen rights.
Amendments Overview
- First Amendment: Guarantees the right to free expression.
- Second Amendment: Establishes the right to keep and bear arms.
- Third Amendment: Prohibits housing soldiers in private homes without consent.
- Fourth Amendment: Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures, requiring warrants based on probable cause.
- Fifth Amendment: Ensures due process rights, including the right to trial and legal counsel.
- Sixth Amendment: Protects accused individuals, guaranteeing rights to counsel, confront witnesses, and a speedy trial.
- Seventh Amendment: Affirms the right to a trial by jury.
- Eighth Amendment: Forbids cruel and unusual punishment, without explicitly defining the term.
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Description
Test your knowledge on the foundational concepts of the U.S. Constitution with this flashcard set. Explore the purpose of the Preamble and the key goals that outline the function of government. Perfect for students studying civics and constitutional principles.