US Government Features and Federalism

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Department of State?

Developing and implementing foreign policy (correct)

Providing military forces to protect national security

Promoting economic prosperity

Conducting scientific research on natural resources

Which department is responsible for ensuring public safety against threats foreign and domestic?

Department of Justice (correct)

Department of Agriculture

Department of the Interior

Department of Defense

What is the primary function of the Department of the Interior?

Protecting America's natural resources and conducting scientific research (correct)

Providing military forces to protect national security

Promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the soundness of financial systems

Developing and executing policy on farming and agriculture

Which department is responsible for providing federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime?

Department of Justice Signup and view all the answers

What is the Department of Agriculture responsible for?

Developing and executing policy on farming, agriculture, and food Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the Department of Defense?

Providing military forces to protect national security Signup and view all the answers

What is the mission of the Department of the Interior?

To protect America's natural resources and conduct scientific research Signup and view all the answers

What is the Department of Treasury responsible for?

Promoting economic prosperity and ensuring the soundness and security of financial systems Signup and view all the answers

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

To restrict the power of each branch and prevent concentration of power Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary responsibility of the federal government in terms of foreign policy?

Determining foreign policy and declaring war Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following powers is reserved for the state governments?

Establishment of schools Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the separation of powers in the federal government?

To divide the legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government among separate bodies Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a concurrent power shared by both the federal and state governments?

The power to tax Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a delegated power?

Regulation of interstate and international trade Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of federalism in the United States?

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

Which branch of government is responsible for making laws in the federal government?

Legislative branch Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of the Legislative Branch?

To make laws Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the separation of powers?

To limit the possibility of arbitrary excesses by government Signup and view all the answers

How are the members of the House of Representatives chosen?

They are elected by the citizens of each state Signup and view all the answers

What is the term of each representative in the House of Representatives?

Two years Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the Senate?

To represent the interests of each state Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a function of the House of Representatives?

To initiate proceedings to impeach the President Signup and view all the answers

What happens if the Electoral College cannot produce a majority to elect a President?

The House of Representatives chooses the President Signup and view all the answers

What happens if both the President and the Vice-President die, are incapacitated, or are removed from office?

The Speaker of the House becomes President Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Features of Government to Prevent Power Concentration

Federal organization of government
Separation of powers among different branches of government
System of checks and balances to restrict the power of each branch

Federalism

Federal government has power over areas of wide concern
Exclusive powers of the federal government:
- Foreign policy
- Making treaties
- Declaring war
- Controlling imports and exports
- Printing money
Delegated powers:
- Regulation of interstate and international trade
- Coinage and currency
- War
- Maintenance of armed forces
- Postal system
- Enforcement of copyrights
- Power to enter into treaties
Reserved powers:
- Power to establish schools
- Establishment of local governments
- Police powers
Concurrent powers:
- Power to tax
- Maintain courts
- Construct and maintain roads

Separation of Powers

Division of legislative, executive, and judicial functions of government among separate bodies
Limits the possibility of arbitrary excesses by government

Legislative Branch

Function: make laws
Comprised of representatives elected to Congress
Made up of two houses: House of Representatives and Senate
Functions of the House:
- Revenue measures must originate in the House
- Initiate proceedings to impeach the president
- Choose the president if the Electoral College cannot produce a majority
- Become president if both the president and vice-president die or are removed

Senate

Each state has two senators
Senatorial term is six years
Every two years, one-third of the Senate stands for election

Powers of the President

Chief executive: appoints secretaries of major departments
Departments:
- State: develops and implements foreign policy
- Treasury: promotes economic prosperity and ensures financial security
- Defense: provides military forces for national security
- Justice: enforces the law and defends the interests of the United States
- Interior: protects America's natural resources
- Agriculture: develops and executes policy on farming, agriculture, and food

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Description

Explore the features of the US government designed to prevent power concentration, including federal organization, separation of powers, and checks and balances. Learn about the principles of federalism and the powers of the federal government.