Chapter 4 Section 4

Question 1

What is federalism?

Answer 1

“…the division and sharing of power between the national and state government.”
Ex:
Fed. Gov. can…
- print money
- declare war

States can make laws abt…
- education
- marriage

Question 2

What is the electoral college?

Answer 2

“a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.”
If a candidate wins over a state it gets all of that state’s electoral votes
(ex. Harris won NJ and got 14 votes or Trump won Texas and got 34 votes)
Whoever reaches 270 votes first wins the election.
Popular vote is used to determine if the state is democratic or Republican.

Question 3

What are checks and balances?

Answer 3

When all 3 branches have a check on the other to prevent one branch from gaining too much power. It limits the power of the branches and it requires them to need each other to get things done.

Ex. Passing a law:
- law suggested in house (more than half have to approve)
- Senate reviews the law (more than half have to approve)
- The president either approves or vetoes a law
- supreme court reviews the law to make sure it is ok with the constitution

Question 4

What is a bill?

Answer 4

A bill is a proposed law (basically before a law is passed, it is a bill)

Question 5

What does veto mean?

Answer 5

To reject or stop a bill

Question 6

Which part of the U.S. government can veto?

Answer 6

The executive branch (president)

Question 7

What does impeach mean?

Answer 7

To bring charges against the President

Question 8

Which part of the U.S. government can impeach?

Answer 8

The house of representative

Question 9

What are some examples of state powers under the constitution?

Answer 9

• Power to regulate trade in their own state (not interstate)
• Marriage age (age of consent)
• Driving Age (permit and license age)
• Any power not in the Constitution, the state can make a law on

Question 10

How much of Congress is needed to override a veto?

Answer 10

You need 2/3 of both houses to override the veto
2/3 of 535

Question 11

What are some checks in the federal government?

Answer 11

• The president can veto bills
• The House can impeach the president
• The Senate can convict (kick out) the president if the House impeaches
• The supreme court decides if laws are constitutional or not

Question 12

What is the purpose of the constitution?

Answer 12

It tells you what the federal government can and can’t do