American Government

Question 1

Discuss the five ways (Informal), other than formal amendments in which the constitution can be changed:

Answer 1

1: Basic legislation: laws passed by congress
2: Executive action: powers granted the president (executive agreement)
3: Court decisions: the nations courts determine the constitutionality of cases
4. Party practice: ideas brought forth by the political Party
5. Customs: unwritten traditions

Question 2

What is the purpose of the bill of rights?

Answer 2

Limit the government power & guarantee civil rights and liberties to individuals

Question 3

Discuss one way each branch can check and balances each other:

Answer 3

The executive branch can appoint Supreme Court justice and may veto legislative branch

Question 4

The constitution is built around six basic principles: name and discuss them:

Answer 4

1: Popular sovereignty: people are the same source of its power
2: Limited government: government is not all powerful
3: Separation of powers: the power that is given is shared by 3 branches
4: check and balances: Each branch is subject to check and restraint of the other 2
5: Judicial review: power of court to determine whether the government is going according to the constitution
6: federalism: division of power between the federal national government and local state government

Question 5

Name the (7) articles of the constitution and discuss their subject matter:

Answer 5

1. Create the legislative branch.
2. Create the executive branch.
3. Create the judicial branch.
4. Relationship among states and federal government.
5. Amending the constitution
6. Supremacy clause.
7. ratify the constitution

Question 6

Describe and discuss the different parts of the 5th amendment:

Answer 6

• Due process: right of the accuse
  (Government can’t deprive a person from their freedom and property without going through court)
• the right to a grand jury - decides if there is enough evidence
  -Protects the accused of double jeopardy
• protects self-incrimination
• government’s power to seize private property must compensation

Question 7

Describe and discuss the parts of the 6th amendment:

Answer 7

1. Right to speedy public trial
2. Right to un impartial petite jury
3. Must be informed of the crime committed ‘ and read their Miranda rights
4. Right to witness
5. Right to an attorney

Question 8

2 houses

Answer 8

Bicameral

Question 9

People are the source of power

Answer 9

Popular sovereignty

Question 10

Limits the government’s power

Answer 10

Constitutionalism

Question 11

Everyone is subject to the law and never above it

Answer 11

Rule of law

Question 12

The power that is shared by 3 branches

Answer 12

Separation of powers

Question 13

Each branch is subject to check and restraint of other two

Answer 13

Checks and balances

Question 14

Power of the court to determine weather what the government is doing is according to the constitution

Answer 14

Judicial review

Question 15

Doesn’t go with the consitution

Answer 15

Unconstitutional

Question 16

Division of power between the federal/National government and local government

Answer 16

Federalism

Question 17

Rules our nation lives by

Answer 17

Amendment

Question 18

Approval of all states

Answer 18

Ratification

Question 19

Change in written wording of the constitution

Answer 19

Formal amendment

Question 20

Day to day changes made over time (not written)

Answer 20

Informal amendment

Question 21

The soul of our government

Answer 21

Bill of rights

Question 22

Power granted the president

Answer 22

Executive agreement

Question 23

Nations fundamental law “supreme law of the land”

Answer 23

Constitution

Question 24

part of the six principles of a constitution judicial review

Answer 24

Marbury v. Madison

Question 25

Can’t be charged for the same crime twice

Answer 25

Double Jeopardy

Question 26

When you wave the right to a jury and let Judge make the ruling

Answer 26

Bench trial

Question 27

Case that deal with money

Answer 27

Civil case

Question 28

A case in which a person is accused of committing a crime

Answer 28

Criminal case

Question 29

A sum of money posted to guarantee you will appear in court date

Answer 29

Bail

Question 30

Decide if there is enough evidence to bring you to trial

Answer 30

Grand jury

Question 31

Decides guilty or innocence

Answer 31

Petite jury

Question 32

The government’s power to cease private property for public use; must get compensation

Answer 32

Eminent domain