US Government Past Paper PDF

Q: The Articles of Confederation were ratified into what document? A: The Constitution Q: What are the three branches of government? A: Legislative, Executive, Judicial Q: What was the Constitutional Convention? A: 12 states drafted a new constitution to create a national government...

Q: The Articles of Confederation were ratified into what document? A: The Constitution Q: What are the three branches of government? A: Legislative, Executive, Judicial Q: What was the Constitutional Convention? A: 12 states drafted a new constitution to create a national government superior to state governments. Q: What is the purpose of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government? A: Legislature makes laws, executive carries out the laws, judicial evaluates the laws; all maintain the separation of powers. Q: Define federalism. A: The division of power between national and state governments. Q: Define dual federalism. A: A system where national and state governments are responsible for separate policy levels. Q: What is the difference between unitary, confederate, and federal governments? A: Unitary: all power is with the national government. Confederate: majority of power is with the states. Federal: power is divided between two levels of government. Q: Define civil liberties. A: The rights and freedoms that the government may not infringe upon. Q: What is the Bill of Rights? A: The first 10 amendments to the Constitution. Q: What is the 14th Amendment and why is it important? A: It ensures no state shall deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process. It granted citizenship to all people. Q: What is selective incorporation? A: The case-by-case approach of deciding which portions of the Bill of Rights apply to states. Q: Define civil rights. A: Equal access to society and the political process without arbitrary discrimination. Q: What was Brown vs. Board of Education?  A: A landmark Supreme Court ruling that declared racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional. Q: Define the Civil Rights Act of 1964. A: A law prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin. Q: Define the Voting Rights Act of 1965. A: A law that prohibits racial discrimination in voting. Q: Define political science. A: The study of government and politics at local, state, national, and international levels. Q: Define the originalist perspective of the Constitution. A: A legal interpretation that relies on the original meaning of the Constitution’s framers. Q: Explain the originalist vs. pragmatist debate on constitutional interpretation. A: Originalist: Strict adherence to the framers' intent prevents arbitrary use of power. Pragmatist: Modern challenges require flexible interpretation. Q: Is there a right to privacy? A: Yes, it is implied in the Constitution’s amendments and protects human dignity.