U.S. Constitution Quiz

Unit 1 Review: Intro to American Government

• Definition of government: The governing body of a nation, state, or community.
• Limited government: A political system where government powers are restricted by laws or a constitution to protect individual freedoms. This promotes checks and balances, ensuring no single branch becomes too powerful.
• Popular sovereignty: The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, who hold ultimate power. Political power rests with citizens, typically expressed through voting and democratic participation.
• Checks and Balances: A system in which the powers of government are divided among separate branches—typically executive, legislative, and judicial—to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful. Each branch has the authority to limit or check the actions of the others.
• Federalism: A system of government where power is divided between a central authority (national) and smaller political units (e.g., states or provinces). This allows each level of government to have its own responsibilities and powers, while sharing some authority in certain areas.
• Judicial Review: The power of courts, particularly the Supreme Court, to examine and determine the constitutionality of laws and government actions. It allows the judiciary to invalidate laws or decisions that violate the constitution, acting as a check on the legislative and executive branches.
• Separation of Powers: A principle that divides the functions and responsibilities of government into three distinct branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. This ensures no single branch holds excessive power, with each branch having its own distinct roles and ability to check the others.
• Republic: A form of government in which power is held by elected representatives and leaders, rather than a monarch, and where the people have the authority to elect their officials. The government is based on the rule of law.
• John Locke: A 17th-century English philosopher who contributed significantly to political theory and the Enlightenment. He advocated for natural rights (life, liberty, and property) and argued for governments deriving their authority from the consent of the governed. His ideas influenced modern democratic thought and the U.S. Constitution.
• Amendment: A formal change or addition to a legal document, typically a constitution or law. Used to adjust or update provisions, often to expand rights or clarify legal principles.
• Confederacy: A union of independent states or entities that come together for specific purposes (e.g., defense or trade), while maintaining their sovereignty. Central authority is typically weaker than in a federal system.
• Bicameral: A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses. This structure is often used to balance power and represent different interests within the government.
• Articles of Confederation: The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781. It established a weak central government, giving most powers to the individual states, creating significant challenges for the young nation.
• Why Great Britain founded the colonies: Economic gain, expansion of territory, religious freedom, and strategic interests (military outposts and trade routes). There was also social experimentation occurring.
• Declaration of Independence: A document adopted on July 4, 1776, declaring the thirteen American colonies independent from British rule. Argues that all men are created equal and possess unalienable rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness).
• Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation: Lack of central authority to enforce laws and collect taxes, inability to regulate commerce among the states.
• Northwest Ordinance: Facilitated the passage of the Northwest Ordinance of 1787. Established a method for admitting new states, setting precedence for U.S. expansion.
• Connecticut Compromise: Combined proportional representation in the House with equal representation in the Senate, balancing interests of large and small states.
• Federalists: Proponents of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debates, advocating for a strong central government. Key figures: Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay.
• Anti-Federalists: Opponents of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debates, fearing a strong central government and fearing the potential for tyranny. They sought a Bill of Rights to protect individual freedoms.
• James Madison: Key Founding Father, drafted the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
• George Washington: First President of the United States. Played a crucial role in the American Revolution.
• Expressed powers: Powers specifically granted to the federal government by the U.S. Constitution.
• Delegated powers: Powers specifically assigned to the federal government, encompassing both expressed and implied powers needed to execute expressed powers. These powers ensure key responsibilities (e.g., foreign relations) are handled at the federal level.
• Implied powers: Powers not explicitly stated in the U.S. Constitution but are necessary for the federal government to carry out its expressed powers (e.g., establishing a national bank). Often derived from the Necessary and Proper Clause.
• Inherent powers: Powers that the national government possesses simply because it is a sovereign state (e.g., immigration, acquisition of territory).
• Reserved powers: Powers that are not explicitly granted to the federal government but are retained by the states. (e.g., regulating education, conducting elections).
• Federalist Papers: A collection of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay to promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.
• Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause): Grants Congress the authority to make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out its enumerated powers, providing flexibility in governance.
• Ratification: The formal approval process by which a proposed law, amendment, or treaty is officially accepted and enacted.
• Rights: Entitlements or permissions granted to individuals, often established by law, moral principles, or social norms.
• State Sovereignty: The authority of individual states to govern themselves independently.
• Concurrent powers: Powers shared by both the federal and state governments in the U.S.
• Supremacy Clause: Establishes that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land, meaning federal law takes precedence over state law in conflicts.
• Preamble: The introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution outlining its fundamental purposes and guiding principles.
• Unalienable rights: Fundamental rights (e.g., life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) that are considered inherent and cannot be taken away.
• Social Contract: A philosophical concept describing an implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and establish a government for protection and preservation of rights.

Systems of Government

• Confederal System: Power rests primarily with individual states rather than a central authority.
• Federal System: Divides power between national and state governments.
• Unitary System: Power concentrated in a central authority.

Additional Questions

• Order of Documents/Events in U.S. History: Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Marbury v. Madison, Missouri Compromise, Compromise of 1850.
• Four Purposes of Government: Maintaining Order, Providing Security, Providing Public Services, Promoting the General Welfare. Examples provided for each.
• Representative vs. Direct Democracy: Explained the differences in how citizens participate in decision-making.