Questions and Answers
What is meant by popular sovereignty?
What does the Electoral College refer to?
What is judicial review?
A power of the courts to decide the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.
What is an executive agreement?
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What is federalism?
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What is meant by something being unconstitutional?
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What is the Cabinet?
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What is an amendment?
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What does it mean to repeal a law?
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Basic ______, or laws, are outlined in the Constitution.
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Soon after the Constitution became effective, _ amendments were added to it. It now has _ amendments.
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Article _ says the Constitution is the law of the land.
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The idea that the federal government gets its power from _ _ is called popular sovereignty.
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Limited government means that the government is never _ the law.
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Government must follow the principles authorized by the people. This is the _ of _.
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The division of government into three _ is called the separation of powers.
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The Constitution states that only _ can make laws.
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The President cannot make laws, but must _ all laws passed by Congress.
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Congress can _ the President's veto.
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Courts can decide whether or not actions of the government are _. This power is called judicial review.
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Federalism is a system of government in which powers are divided between a _ _ and _ governments.
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One way to make a change to the Constitution is for two-thirds of the members of _ to approve an amendment.
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The first _ amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights.
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The _ Amendment limited a President to two full terms in office.
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The 27th Amendment was first proposed in _ but was not ratified until _.
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Laws passed by Congress have helped shape the basic frameworks of the Constitution.
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Presidents have brought about constitutional change by making _ agreements with leaders of foreign countries.
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The Supreme Court _ the Constitution as it hears and decides cases.
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Much of American government today is conducted on the basis of _.
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One way parties have brought about constitutional change is by taking over the selection of candidates for the _ and _.
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The Constitution does not mention the President's _, his group of advisers. Instead, it came about through tradition and custom.
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Some customs were followed for years before being written into the Constitution, such as the _ _ _ tradition.
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Study Notes
Key Concepts of the Constitution
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Popular Sovereignty: The principle that the government's power derives from the consent of the governed, emphasizing the role of the people in establishing authority.
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Electoral College: A body that formally elects the President and Vice President of the United States, consisting of electors from each state.
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Judicial Review: The power of the courts to examine the actions of the legislative and executive branches and determine their constitutionality.
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Executive Agreement: International agreements made by the President that do not require Senate approval, distinct from treaties.
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Federalism: A system that divides power between a central government and regional governments, allowing for shared authority.
Constitutional Principles
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Unconstitutional: Refers to actions or laws that go against the principles outlined in the Constitution.
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Cabinet: A group of advisors appointed by the President to head executive departments and aid in decision-making.
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Amendment: A formal change or addition to the Constitution; 27 amendments currently exist, with the first 10 known as the Bill of Rights.
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Repeal: The act of revoking a law or amendment, indicating a legislative change in policy.
Structure and Function of Government
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Separation of Powers: The constitutional division of government responsibilities into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
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Law of the Land: Article 6 of the Constitution states that it is the supreme law, overriding state laws.
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Congressional Authority: Only Congress has the power to make laws, underscoring the legislative authority granted in the Constitution.
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Presidential Role: The President must ratify laws passed by Congress but cannot create laws independently.
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Veto Overrides: Congress has the ability to override a Presidential veto, ensuring legislative checks on executive power.
Constitutional Changes and Practices
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Judicial Review Power: Courts can assess the constitutionality of governmental actions, supporting the judiciary's role in interpreting the Constitution.
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Amendment Process: Requires a two-thirds majority approval in Congress and ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures for constitutional changes.
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Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments, outlining essential rights and liberties of citizens.
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22nd Amendment: Limits Presidential terms to two full terms, ensuring regular transition of power.
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History of Amendments: The 27th Amendment was proposed in 1789 but not ratified until 1992, highlighting the evolving interpretation of constitutional law.
Political Influence and Tradition
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Political Parties: Despite initial opposition, American governance operates significantly through party systems, impacting elections and policies.
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Presidential Selection: Parties influence the selection process for Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates, shaping electoral dynamics.
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Cabinet Formation: While the Constitution does not mention the Cabinet, it has become a fundamental advisory structure for Presidents based on long-standing traditions.
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Customary Practices: Some precedents, like the "No Third Term" tradition, were established through tradition before being formally included in the constitutional framework.
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Description
Test your knowledge of the fundamental principles of the United States Constitution. This quiz covers essential topics such as popular sovereignty, federalism, and judicial review, providing insights into how these concepts shape American governance.
