Founding Of The Nation And The US Political System Flashcards
What did The Constitution establish?
The US government as it exists today, and attempted to protect citizens’ freedoms through the Bill of Rights
What were the Articles of Confederation created for?
A wartime document
- It was too limited to serve as the basis of government
What does a confederation mean?
A grouping together of states
What three main issues did the Articles of Confederation attempt to resolve?
- Raising and command Army to battle Great Britian
- Fund war efforts / print and borrow money from other countries
* have a common currency throughout the states* - Resolve territorial disputes - borders of states and who was gonna get the west
When the people saw that the Articles were very limited and there was value in having a union between the states, what did they begin to look at?
Having a stronger governing document - The Constitution
What do the First ten amendments of the Constitution do?
Focus on protecting citizens’ freedoms and rights under the law
• Bill of Rights •
What are the three branches of US government?
- Legislative
- Executive
- Judicial
What does the Legislative Branch make up?
Congress
It is a Bicameral Legislature
What does Bicameral mean?
2 houses
Why do we have a Bicameral Legislature?
What was the result of the debate?
- Populous states said work things based on population
- Less-populous states said have a set number of representatives for each states
*** A compromise doing both
- Senate - 2 representatives per state
- House of Representatives - Representatives based of population of that state
The House of Representatives (Congress) is based of off what?
Based on Population
The Senate (Congress) is based of off what?
2 representatives per state
What is the Executive Branch made up of?
The President and his cabinet
What is the Judicial Branch made up of?
The Supreme Court and all the lower courts
What is the purpose of the Legislative Branch?
*** Congress
• House of Representatives
• Senate
Make the Laws
What is the purpose of the Executive Branch?
Enforce the laws
What is the purpose of the Judicial Branch ?
Interpret the law
What happens when a bill is passed in the Legislature
[Congress]
- House of Representatives
- Senate
- It is sent to the
Executive Branch (President and his cabinet)
*** If he signs it, it becomes law
What is veto power?
The President has the power to veto a bill from Legislature and send it back to
(Congress)
- House of Representatives
- Senate
How much of the majority does the
Congress need to pass a bill on to the Executive Branch?
just over 50%
Simple majority
Once a bill is vetoed by the President and sent back to Congress, how much of the majority needs to sign the bill for it to be passed and override the Veto?
2/3 majority
Explain the idea of Checks and Balances
Each branch has a power over another, so that none of them can become too strong.
This was introduced with the Founding Fathers of the Constitution
What is the Legislature’s check over the Executive Branch?
If they feel the President is doing a poor job, they can impeach him
What is the President’s (Executive Branch) check over the Legislative?
Veto Power
