US Federal Government Structure

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary purpose of the Electoral College?

To give the President the power to appoint members of Congress

To encourage candidates to campaign in states with the largest population (correct)

To allow foreign leaders to vote in the presidential election

To ensure that smaller states have a voice in the election process

What is the main focus of the First Amendment to the Bill of Rights?

Freedom of press, speech, petition, assembly, and religion (correct)

The right to bear arms

The right to a fair trial

The right to vote

What is the term for the power of the Supreme Court to declare a law or act unconstitutional?

Ratification

Judicial review (correct)

Elastic clause

Unwritten Constitution

What is the term for the ability of Congress to broaden or stretch its powers?

Elastic clause Signup and view all the answers

What was the result of the Bill of Rights on the ratification of the Constitution by some states?

States that feared the strength of the central government agreed to vote for ratification Signup and view all the answers

What were two precedents established by George Washington?

Cabinet and two terms Signup and view all the answers

What were three parts of Alexander Hamilton's plan to repay the war debt?

Create a national bank, protective tariff, and Whiskey Tax Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for a change or addition to the Constitution?

Amendment Signup and view all the answers

What was the major outcome of the Marbury v. Madison case?

The Supreme Court established the principle of Judicial Review Signup and view all the answers

Why was the port of New Orleans important to President Jefferson?

To transport goods and exercise the Right of Deposit Signup and view all the answers

What was the main purpose of the Lewis and Clark Expedition?

To explore and map out the Louisiana Purchase Signup and view all the answers

What was the main cause of the War of 1812?

Impressment of American sailors by British ships Signup and view all the answers

What was the main outcome of the War of 1812?

The British recognized American independence Signup and view all the answers

What was the main effect of Andrew Jackson's Spoils System?

It allowed the President to appoint friends and supporters to jobs Signup and view all the answers

What was the main result of the Trail of Tears?

The Cherokee were relocated to reservations in Oklahoma and Kansas Signup and view all the answers

What was the main characteristic of the Industrial Revolution?

The change from handmade goods to machine-based manufacturing Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the writers of the US Constitution?

To correct the mistakes of the Articles of Confederation Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the system of federalism in the US government?

To divide power between the state and federal governments Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the separation of powers in the US government?

To ensure that no branch of government has too much power Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the checks and balances in the US government?

To ensure that no branch of government has too much power Signup and view all the answers

What is stated in the preamble of the US Constitution?

The goals of the Constitution, in the phrase 'We the people…' Signup and view all the answers

What issue did the Great Compromise settle?

The issue of representation of the states in Congress Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the 3/5 Compromise?

To solve the problem of representation in the Senate Signup and view all the answers

What are the three branches of government in the US?

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Federal Government and Branches

Each branch of the federal government has the power to check the other two branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
The three branches of the federal government are:
- Legislative (makes the laws)
- Executive (enforces the laws)
- Judicial (interprets the laws)

Comparison of Federal and State Government

The federal government consists of Congress, the President, and the Supreme Court.
The New York State government consists of the NYS Assembly, the Governor, and the State Supreme Court.

Electoral College

The Electoral College is a system of electing the President.
It was created because the judgment of the common people in electing the President was not trusted.
It encourages candidates to campaign in states with the largest population.

Bill of Rights

The Bill of Rights consists of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
Its purpose is to protect the rights of individual people.
The First Amendment focuses on individual liberties, including freedom of press, speech, petition, assembly, and religion.

Ratification of the Constitution

The Bill of Rights affected the ratification of the Constitution by some states, as states that feared the strength of the central government agreed to vote for ratification.

Constitutional Terms

Unwritten Constitution refers to traditions that started and remained but are not written in the Constitution.
Judicial review is the power of the Supreme Court to declare a law or act unconstitutional.
Elastic clause refers to the ability to broaden or stretch the powers of Congress.
Amendment is a change or addition to the Constitution.
Ratify means to officially pass or approve (a bill to a law, the Constitution, etc.).
Census is an official count of the population by the government every ten years.

George Washington and Alexander Hamilton

George Washington established two precedents: the Cabinet and two terms as President.
Alexander Hamilton's plan to repay the war debt included creating a national bank, a protective tariff, and the Whiskey Tax.

Marbury v. Madison and Judicial Review

The Marbury v. Madison case established the precedent of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare a law or act unconstitutional.

Louisiana Purchase and Lewis and Clark Expedition

The Louisiana Purchase doubled the size of the country, from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains.
The purpose of the Lewis and Clark Expedition was to explore and map out the Louisiana Purchase, as well as to discover new plants, animals, and an all-water route, and to befriend Native Americans.

Jefferson and the Embargo Act

Jefferson tried to buy the port of New Orleans from Napoleon to transport goods.
The Embargo Act was passed to end all trade with Europe in hopes of avoiding further impressment issues with France and Britain.

War of 1812

The causes of the War of 1812 included impressment, British supplying Native Americans with weapons, and the desire to gain land (Canada, Florida).
The results of the War of 1812 included Britain recognizing US boundaries, the end of the Federalist Party, the rise of nationalism, and the growth of industry.

Monroe Doctrine and Foreign Policy

The Monroe Doctrine warned European nations not to interfere with Americas, demonstrating US strength and control.

Andrew Jackson and Abuse of Power

Andrew Jackson abused his presidential power through the Trail of Tears, the Spoils System, and the National Bank.
The Spoils System involved appointing regular citizens (friends, political supporters, and family) to jobs regardless of ability or qualification.
The Trail of Tears involved the forced relocation of Native Americans from east of the Mississippi River to reservations in Oklahoma and Kansas.

Industrial Revolution

The Industrial Revolution was a change in manufacturing from handmade goods to machines.

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Description

This quiz covers the basics of the federal government, including the powers of each branch and the Electoral College system.