US Government and Constitution Overview

Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of the system of checks and balances in the U.S. government?

To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

In the U.S. Constitution, what power does Congress have in relation to declaring war?

Congress has the power to declare war.

What landmark Supreme Court case established the principle of judicial review in 1803?

Marbury v. Madison

Which Supreme Court case declared segregation unconstitutional in 1954?

Brown v. Board of Education Signup and view all the answers

What is the process for amending the U.S. Constitution?

An amendment needs to be proposed and ratified by a two-thirds majority. Signup and view all the answers

What process allows for changes to be made to the U.S. Constitution?

Amendment process Signup and view all the answers

Describe the steps a bill follows to become a law in the U.S.?

Introduction, committee hearings, floor debate, vote, conference committee, presidential signature Signup and view all the answers

What was one of the earliest constitutional compromises that shaped the balance of power between branches of government?

Three-fifths compromise over slavery Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the two-term limit for U.S. presidents?

Prevent any single individual from having too much control over the country Signup and view all the answers

How can a veto by the president be overcome in the bill becomes a law process?

By Congress overriding the veto with a two-thirds majority Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

The US Government and Constitution

The United States is a federal republic with a democratic form of government. At its core lies the U.S. Constitution, which lays out the framework for how the three branches of government - legislative, executive, and judicial - interact with each other. This relationship between these branches creates a system known as the "system of checks and balances," where none of them can become too powerful.

System of Checks and Balances

The Constitution divides powers among the three branches to prevent any one branch from becoming too dominant. For instance, Congress has the power to declare war, but it cannot enforce it without the president's signature. Similarly, while the Senate approves presidential appointments, the House of Representatives has the power to impeach the president. The Supreme Court provides another check through its power to interpret laws and determine if they violate the Constitution.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases

The United States Supreme Court has played a crucial role in shaping American law and society since its establishment in 1789. Some of its most notable decisions include Marbury v. Madison (1803), which established the principle of judicial review; Brown v. Board of Education (1954), where segregation was declared unconstitutional; and Roe v. Wade (1973), which legalized abortion nationwide.

Amendment Process

Despite being one of the oldest constitutions in the world, the U.S. Constitution remains flexible enough to change with the times. Changes are made through the amendment process, whereby Congress proposes constitutional amendments that can then be ratified by three-fourths of state legislatures. As of March 2024, there have been 27 formal amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

Bill Becomes a Law Process

A bill becomes a law after following these steps: introduction, committee hearings, floor debate, vote, conference committee, and presidential signature. However, vetoes by the president and overrides by Congress also play a part in the process.

Constitutional Compromises

To pass important legislation despite disagreements among politicians, compromises were often reached at various points throughout history. These compromises, known as constitutional compromises, helped shape the balance of power between the branches of government and maintain stability within the system. One of the earliest examples is the compromise over slavery, where it was agreed upon that each slave would count as three-fifths of a person for tax and representation purposes. Another example is the two-term limit for presidents, designed to prevent any single individual from having too much control over the country.