US Government: Constitution and Amendments

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Questions and Answers

What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison?

Established the Judicial Review

Define Judicial Review.

The ability of the Supreme Court to determine if a law/action is constitutional or not.

Which of the following is a protection provided by Amendment 1?

Preventing soldiers from staying at private homes

Freedom of speech (correct)

Ban unreasonable searches and seizures

Right to bear arms

What is the significance of the Declaration of Independence?

Declaring United States' freedom from Great Britain Signup and view all the answers

Define popular sovereignty.

Option with the highest vote wins. Signup and view all the answers

What is limited government?

Government with limited powers that citizens consent to giving them. Signup and view all the answers

Define social contract.

Contract between government and the being governed. Signup and view all the answers

Which powers belong to the federal government?

Declare war Signup and view all the answers

What is one legislative check on the executive?

Impeachment Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of Judicial Review?

To determine if laws or actions are constitutional Signup and view all the answers

The right to bear arms is protected by the Third Amendment.

False Signup and view all the answers

Which amendment protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures?

Fourth Amendment Signup and view all the answers

Marbury v. Madison established __________ as a principle of American law.

Judicial review Signup and view all the answers

Match the following amendments with their protections:

First Amendment = Freedom of speech Second Amendment = Right to bear arms Fourth Amendment = Ban unreasonable searches and seizures Eighth Amendment = Ban excessive bail and cruel punishments Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best defines 'Limited Government'?

Government with limited powers that citizens consent to giving them. Signup and view all the answers

The line of succession after the President includes the Attorney General following the Speaker of the House.

False Signup and view all the answers

What principle ensures that the power rests with the people?

Popular Sovereignty Signup and view all the answers

The concept of a contract between the government and the governed is known as the ______.

Social Contract Signup and view all the answers

Match the following branches of government with their corresponding checks:

Legislative = Checks on the Executive Executive = Checks on the Legislative Judicial = Checks on the Legislative Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review

Judicial Review

Supreme Court's power to review laws and determine if they are constitutional

Amendments

1st Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
2nd Amendment: Right to bear arms
3rd Amendment: Prevents soldiers from staying in private homes without consent
4th Amendment: Protects from unreasonable search and seizure
5th Amendment: Guarantees due process of law, prevents double jeopardy, protects against self-incrimination
6th Amendment: Right to a speedy and public trial, a lawyer
7th Amendment: Right to a jury trial in civil cases
8th Amendment: Protects from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment
9th Amendment: States there are other rights not listed
10th Amendment: Any powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people

Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution

Articles of Confederation created a weak national government with limited powers.
The Constitution created a stronger federal government with greater powers.
The Articles of Confederation lacked a strong executive branch and a national court system, which led to significant weaknesses in enforcing laws and resolving disputes between states. The Constitution addressed these weaknesses by establishing a president as head of the executive branch and a Supreme Court.

Declaration of Independence

Declared American independence from Great Britain

Popular Sovereignty

Rule by the people where decisions are made by majority vote

Limited Government

Government with powers limited by a constitution and ruled by the consent of the governed

Agreement between the government and the governed

Federalism

Federal powers: Declare war, regulate interstate commerce, coin money, create post offices, establish armed forces
Concurrent powers: Taxation, establish courts, enforce laws
State (reserved) powers: Education, licensing, elections, intrastate commerce, local government

Legislative Checks on the Executive

Impeach and remove the President
Reject presidential appointments
Override vetoes
Approve treaties

Legislative Checks on the Judiciary

Impeach and remove judges
Approve or reject judicial appointments
Propose amendments to overturn court rulings

Executive Checks on the Legislative

Veto legislation
Call special sessions of Congress
Propose laws

Executive Checks on the Judiciary

Appoint judges
Grant pardons
Refuse to enforce court rulings

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Description

This quiz covers key concepts related to the US Constitution, including the principles of judicial review, the significance of important amendments, and the comparison between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Test your knowledge on the rights guaranteed by the amendments and their implications for American law.