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Questions and Answers
What is the primary principle of the rule of law?
What is the primary principle of the rule of law?
- Government actions should be based on personal discretion.
- Citizens should obey government officials.
- Only elected representatives have authority over the law.
- Laws govern society, and government must follow them. (correct)
Which article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress?
Which article of the Constitution outlines the powers of Congress?
- Article 3
- Article 2
- Article 1 (correct)
- Article 4
What is the total number of members in Congress?
What is the total number of members in Congress?
- 600
- 435
- 535 (correct)
- 100
Which branch of government is responsible for enforcing laws?
Which branch of government is responsible for enforcing laws?
What is NOT one of the goals stated in the Preamble to the Constitution?
What is NOT one of the goals stated in the Preamble to the Constitution?
How are representatives in the House of Representatives elected?
How are representatives in the House of Representatives elected?
What process is used to remove a president from office for illegal actions?
What process is used to remove a president from office for illegal actions?
What role does the judicial branch play in relation to laws?
What role does the judicial branch play in relation to laws?
What defines a bureaucracy in government?
What defines a bureaucracy in government?
Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?
Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?
What does the principle of federalism entail?
What does the principle of federalism entail?
Which term describes the ability of the president to reject laws proposed by the legislature?
Which term describes the ability of the president to reject laws proposed by the legislature?
What does 'popular sovereignty' signify in a governmental context?
What does 'popular sovereignty' signify in a governmental context?
What characteristic distinguishes a republic from other forms of government?
What characteristic distinguishes a republic from other forms of government?
Which concept limits the government's power by allowing each branch to restrain the others?
Which concept limits the government's power by allowing each branch to restrain the others?
What does an amendment in governmental terms refer to?
What does an amendment in governmental terms refer to?
What is the primary role of the Supreme Court?
What is the primary role of the Supreme Court?
What does judicial review allow the Supreme Court to do?
What does judicial review allow the Supreme Court to do?
What is the 'necessary and proper' clause often referred to as?
What is the 'necessary and proper' clause often referred to as?
In what scenario can a case be reviewed by the Supreme Court?
In what scenario can a case be reviewed by the Supreme Court?
Why is the separation of powers important in the Constitution?
Why is the separation of powers important in the Constitution?
What does the phrase 'supreme law of the land' signify?
What does the phrase 'supreme law of the land' signify?
What was the primary purpose of adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution?
What was the primary purpose of adding the Bill of Rights to the Constitution?
Under which article is the necessary and proper clause located?
Under which article is the necessary and proper clause located?
What is the final authority if a federal case goes to the Supreme Court?
What is the final authority if a federal case goes to the Supreme Court?
Which amendment is known for outlining the five fundamental freedoms?
Which amendment is known for outlining the five fundamental freedoms?
Which amendment protects against housing soldiers without the consent of homeowners?
Which amendment protects against housing soldiers without the consent of homeowners?
What type of cases does the federal court system primarily handle?
What type of cases does the federal court system primarily handle?
What is a key function of appellate courts?
What is a key function of appellate courts?
Which amendment addresses rights during criminal accusations?
Which amendment addresses rights during criminal accusations?
What primarily influences whether a case is tried in federal or state court?
What primarily influences whether a case is tried in federal or state court?
Which amendments cover the enumerated and reserved powers?
Which amendments cover the enumerated and reserved powers?
What does 'We the People' signify in the Constitution?
What does 'We the People' signify in the Constitution?
What happens if states do not adhere to federal law?
What happens if states do not adhere to federal law?
What role does Congress play in the system of checks and balances?
What role does Congress play in the system of checks and balances?
Which of the following statements about the legislative branch is true?
Which of the following statements about the legislative branch is true?
Why were checks and balances introduced in the U.S. government?
Why were checks and balances introduced in the U.S. government?
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Study Notes
Key Government Vocabulary
- Bureaucracy: System where state officials make important decisions instead of elected representatives.
- Executive Branch: Responsible for executing laws.
- Legislative Branch: Responsible for creating laws.
- Judicial Branch: Interprets laws and ensures constitutionality.
- Preamble: Introduces the Constitution's purpose and goals.
- Self-government: A government led by its own people.
- Democracy: Governed by the people with free elections.
- Amendment: Addition or deletion from the Constitution.
- Federalism: Power divided between national and state governments.
- Ratify: Approval through voting.
- Bicameral: Two-house legislature structure.
- Enumerated Powers: Specifically listed powers in the Constitution (e.g., president as commander in chief).
- Reserved Powers: Powers not given to the national government, retained by states.
- Separation of Powers: Divides authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches.
- Veto: President's right to reject proposed legislation.
- Cabinet: Group of presidential advisers.
- Judicial Review: Courts' authority to determine law constitutionality.
- Justice: The principle of equality and fair treatment under law.
- Checks and Balances: System allowing each branch to restrict the others.
- Limited Government: Government only possesses powers granted to it.
- Popular Sovereignty: Government's power comes from the people.
- Consent of the Governed: Authority legitimate only with the people's permission.
- Republic: Government where citizens elect representatives.
Constitutional Framework
- Articles of the Constitution:
- Article 1: Legislative branch and its powers.
- Article 2: Executive branch and the president's roles.
- Article 3: Judicial branch and the Supreme Court's power.
Goals of the Preamble
- Establishes legitimacy and outlines government goals:
- Form a more perfect Union
- Establish Justice
- Insure domestic Tranquility
- Provide for the common defense
- Promote the general Welfare
- Secure blessings of Liberty for future generations
Structure of Congress
- Bicameral System: Senate (100 members, two per state) and House of Representatives (435 members, based on population).
- Senators serve six-year terms; Representatives serve two-year terms.
- Senate represents entire state; House represents specific districts.
Bill of Rights
- Added to protect individual rights and facilitate ratification.
- First ten amendments secure freedoms including speech, religion, and due process.
- The second amendment ensures the right to bear arms.
- Amendments 4-8 address rights in criminal cases; ninth and tenth cover enumerated and reserved powers.
Court Systems
- Federal Courts: Handle federal laws, constitutional issues, and inter-state disputes.
- State Courts: Address state laws, family law, and most criminal cases.
Role of the Appellate Court
- Reviews decisions from lower courts for legal errors.
- Does not conduct new trials; focuses on law application.
Supreme Court Responsibilities
- Ensures justice and interprets the Constitution.
- Exercises judicial review to declare laws unconstitutional.
- Process: Begins in trial court, reviewed by appellate court, can reach the Supreme Court for final review.
Legislative Powers
- "Necessary and Proper" Clause: Allows Congress to create laws necessary to execute its enumerated powers, providing flexibility.
Checks and Balances
- Prevents any branch from gaining excessive power.
- Each branch checks the others to maintain an equilibrium of power.
Constitutional Supremacy
- Supreme Law of the Land: States that the Constitution and federal laws reign over state laws.
- State laws must comply with federal laws; lack of compliance can lead to loss of federal funding.
Importance of "We the People"
- Affirms government's authority derives from the citizenry.
- Reflects democratic values and the role of citizens in governance.
Additional Information
- The president can override a veto; a two-thirds congressional vote can also override a presidential veto.
- Legislative branch elected by the people; House represents districts; Senate represents states.
- Article 3 establishes the Supreme Court and empowers Congress to create lower courts.
- Originated to prevent a government resembling the British monarchy or parliament.
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