Act 35 Review Flashcards
(37 cards)
What is the form of government of the United States?
- Republic: The people choose a smaller group of people to represent them in government
- Democracy: The people make decisions, are the source of government power
- Representative Democracy: The people choose representatives to run the government on their behalf
What is the supreme law of the land?
- The US Constitution is the supreme law of the land. The people AND the government are bound by the Constitution
- When national laws and state laws contradict each other, the supremacy clause says that the Constitution should take precedence
Name one thing the US Constitution does
- Forms (creates) the US Government
- Defines the power of the government: what it can and cannot do
- Defines the parts of the government: creates 3 independent branches, roles for national and state government
- Protects the rights of the people: through limited government and the Bill of Rights
What does “We the People” actually mean?
- Self government
- Popular Sovereignty
- Consent of the governed
- People should govern themselves
It’s the people that created the government in the first place
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
- The basic rights of Americans
- The basic rights of people living in the United States
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
- It says America is free from British control
- It says all people are created equal
- It identifies inherent inalienable rights (rights that cannot be taken away)
- It identifies individual rights and freedoms
What founding documents said that the American colonies are free from Great Britain?
- The Declaration of Independence
Names two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution
- Equality
- Liberty
- Social Contract (people decide what is good for society as a whole)
- Natural Rights (God-given rights)
- Limited Government
- Self-Government
What is the rule of law?
- Everyone must follow the law
- Leaders must obey the law
- No one is above the law
There are three branches of government. Why?
- So one part does not become too powerful
- Checks and balances
- Separation of powers
Name the three branches of government
- Legislative (Congress, makes the laws)
- Executive (President, enforces/executes the laws”
- Judicial (the courts, interprets the laws)
The President of the United States is in charge of which branch of government?
- The executive branch (enforces/executes the law)
What part of the federal government writes the laws?
- US Congress (legislative branch)
What are the two parts of Congress?
- House of Representatives
- Senate
Name one power of the US Congress
- Write laws
- Declare war
- Print money
- Regulate trade
How many US Senators are there?
- 100
- 2 per state
How many voting members are in the House of Representatives?
- 435 (four hundred thirty-five)
- Based on the population of each state
How many senators does each state have?
- 2
Why does each state have two senators?
- Equal representation for the small states
Who does a US Senator represent?
- Citizens of the entire state
- People of their state
Who does a member of the House of Representatives represent?
- Citizens of their Congressional district
- People in their Congressional district
Who elects members of the House of Representatives?
- Citizens of their Congressional district
Why do some states have more Representatives than others?
- Because of the population, some states have more people
The President of the United States is elected for how many years?
- Four years. Can serve two full terms, maximum of 10 terms
