Government 2014 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Which example describes natural rights?

Rights that are given under specific circumstances

Rights that should be protected by the government (correct)

Rights that are granted to only certain citizens

Rights that can be restricted by government

Which best describes the purpose of the Second Continental Congress?

It was the group of leaders who worked to create the Declaration of Independence. (correct)

It was the group of citizens who protested taxation without representation.

It was the group of colonists who planted the seeds for the development of the Continental Army.

It was the group of treasonous British soldiers who inhibited Britain's ability to collect taxes.

The Declaration of Independence intended to end British rule in the colonies, and grant citizens:

The right to freedom of speech

The ability to live without a government

The ability to vote for a president

The right to self-govern (correct)

As the colonies moved toward independence, the First Continental Congress was created in:

<ol start="1774"> <li></li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

In which section of the Declaration of Independence is the purpose of government described?

The Preamble Signup and view all the answers

As the result of a conflict between British troops and a colonial militia in Massachusetts,

Thomas Paine published Common Sense. Signup and view all the answers

The Declaration of Independence refers to rights as being unalienable. What does 'unalienable' mean?

Cannot be surrendered Signup and view all the answers

Was the Declaration of Independence intended to be a formal declaration of war? Why or why not?

No. The war started a year before the Declaration of Independence was written. Signup and view all the answers

Which part of the Declaration of Independence acts as an implied plan of action, in that it lists laws and practices to be changed?

The body Signup and view all the answers

Read the quotation from the Declaration of Independence: 'For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world.' Which reason best explains why this grievance was included?

The British closed ports to punish the colonies. Signup and view all the answers

Declaring war and coining money are considered:

Expressed powers Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary purpose of the Supremacy Clause?

To describe the relationship between federal and state powers Signup and view all the answers

Which of these is considered a concurrent power?

Collecting taxes Signup and view all the answers

The sources of powers reserved to the states are specifically outlined in:

The Tenth Amendment Signup and view all the answers

The Supremacy Clause forms the root of what aspect of the country's government system?

The concept of federalism Signup and view all the answers

The US system of federalism is based on:

Federal- and state-level powers Signup and view all the answers

Based on the foundations of federalism, why might health care continue to be a deeply debated issue?

The debate is over whether the issue should be under federal or state control. Signup and view all the answers

Expressed powers are those that are:

Specifically granted in the Constitution. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Natural Rights

Natural rights are fundamental rights that should be protected by the government.
They are not granted under specific circumstances nor restricted to certain citizens.

Second Continental Congress

The Second Continental Congress was responsible for creating the Declaration of Independence.
It did not primarily focus on citizen protests or treasonous activities against Britain.

Declaration of Independence

Its main goal was to end British rule and grant citizens the right to self-govern.
It established key principles of governance and individual rights.

First Continental Congress

Established in 1774 as the colonies began moving toward independence.
It was organized to respond to British policies and escalating tensions.

Structure of the Declaration of Independence

The purpose of government is explained in the Preamble of the Declaration.
The document is structured to include a plan of action for the new nation's governance.

Events Leading to Independence

A conflict between British troops and colonial militia in Massachusetts led to the publication of Common Sense by Thomas Paine.

Meaning of Unalienable Rights

Unalienable means rights that cannot be surrendered and are inherent to individuals.

Intention Behind the Declaration

It served as a formal declaration of war, although fighting had already begun prior to its adoption.

Grievances Listed in the Declaration

The phrase regarding trade in the Declaration reflects frustration over British restrictions on colonial trade.

Powers of Government

Declaring war and coining money are expressed powers of the federal government.

Supremacy Clause

The primary purpose is to outline the relationship between federal and state powers.
It establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Concurrent Powers

Collecting taxes is an example of a concurrent power shared by federal and state governments.

Reserved Powers

The sources of state powers are specifically outlined in the Tenth Amendment to the Constitution.

Federalism

The concept of federalism is rooted in the Supremacy Clause, balancing power between national and state governments.

Ongoing Debates in Federalism

Health care remains a debated issue due to disagreements over whether it should be managed at the federal or state level.

Expressed Powers

Expressed powers are specifically granted in the Constitution and form the foundation of governmental authority.

Key Takeaway

The foundations of American government are grounded in the balance between individual rights, the need for a governed society, and the structure of federal and state powers.

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Description

Test your knowledge on key concepts in government with these flashcards from 2014. Explore topics such as natural rights and the purpose of the Second Continental Congress. Ideal for students preparing for exams and enhancing their understanding of American government.