Foundations of Government

Question 1

John Locke

Answer 1

a 17th century Englishman who redefined [changed the meaning of] what it meant to be a government

Question 2

Legitimate

Answer 2

acceptable; reasonable; official

Question 3

Natural Rights

Answer 3

Rights that everyone has just because they are human beings. NOT written down. (life, liberty, property)

Question 4

State of Nature

Answer 4

A place where there is no civilization and no government. No rules and laws

Question 5

Consent

Answer 5

approval ; permission

Question 6

Popular Sovereignty

Answer 6

the people decide what kind of government or laws they should have
Ex: voting

Question 7

Judicial Review

Answer 7

executive or legislative actions are subject to review by the judiciary.

Question 8

Limited Government

Answer 8

The government being limited to its power through delegated and enumerated authorities

Question 9

Checks and Balances

Answer 9

power divided; allows each branch of government to check each other to prevent having too much power

Question 10

Separation of Powers

Answer 10

state government being divided into branches each with their own power, and responsibilities

Question 11

Federalism

Answer 11

power shared between national and state governments

Question 12

Natural Rights

Answer 12

rights that everyone has just because they are human beings. NOT written down. (life, liberty, property)

Question 13

Declaration of Independence

Answer 13

mission statements for the US, not laws ; it means the public act of by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of England

Question 14

Articles of Confederation

Answer 14

the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain

Question 15

Shay’s Rebellion

Answer 15

response to a debt crisis among the citizenry and in opposition to the state government’s increased efforts to collect taxes both on individuals and their trades; doesn’t succeed and showed weakness of the articles

Question 16

Revolutionary War

Answer 16

initiated by the thirteen original colonies in Congress against Great Britain over their objection to Parliament’s direct taxation and its lack of colonial representation.

Question 17

Congress/ Legislative Branch

Answer 17

makes laws, power to declare war, may override president’s veto (⅔ vote), may approve/reject treaties and appointments, may impeach president, can impeach judges, senate approves appointments of federal judges

Question 18

President/ Executive Branch

Answer 18

enforces laws, may veto laws, can suggest new bills, appoint judges, pardon prisoners or shorten sentence

Question 19

Courts/ Judicial Branch

Answer 19

interprets laws, can declare executive actions and laws unconstitutional

Question 20

The Articles of Constitution

Answer 20

I. sets up Legislative Branch / Congress
II. sets up Executive Branch (president)
III. sets up Judicial Branch of gov.
IV. tells how the states relate to each other and to the federal government
V. tells how the Constitution may be amended (changed)
VI. says the constitution is the supreme law of the land (No national or state law can go against the constitution!)
VII.says the constitution will be the law if 9 states ratify (accept) it

Question 21

How Branches CHECK each other

Answer 21

-Legislative/Congress - makes the laws
May override president’s veto (⅔ vote)
May approve/reject treaties (⅔ vote)
May impeach president
May approve/reject appointments (⅔ vote)
-Executive - enforces the laws
 May veto laws
Can suggest new bills 
->Executive - enforces the laws
Appoints judges
Can pardon prisoners or reduce sentence 
->Judicial - interprets laws
Can declare executive actions unconstitutional
\+Legislative/ Congress - drafts laws
Can impeach judges
Senate approves appointments of federal judges
\+Judicial - interprets laws
Can declare laws unconstitutional

Question 22

“The Supreme Law of Land”

Answer 22

The Constitution

Question 23

Concurrent Powers

Answer 23

Powers that are shared by both the federal and state / local government EX: collect taxes, Define crime and punishment, eminent domain (take private property for public use)

Question 24

Reserved Powers

Answer 24

powers which are neither prohibited or explicitly given by law to any organ of government; most of what government does in this country today is done by the states and their local governments EX: schools, licensing, gun laws, alcohol, driving

Question 25

Enumerated/ Expressed Powers

Answer 25

Powers given to the federal government in the Constitution EX: declare war, coin money, regulate interstate and foreign trade

Question 26

Wolves of Yellowstone *South Dakota vs. Dole

Answer 26

The national government “encourages” the states to raise their drinking age to 21… by threatening to take away money for their highways if they do no ; Dole wins supreme court case because they can do what they want with the money they provide to others