Unit 1

Question 1

Monarchy

Answer 1

A form of government where a single person, the monarch, rules the country. Monarchs often inherit their position.
Example: The United Kingdom (Constitutional Monarchy).

Question 2

Democracy

Answer 2

A system of government where power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through elected representatives.
Example: The United States.

Question 3

Federalism

Answer 3

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (like states).
Example: The United States Constitution establishes a federal system.

Question 4

Anarchy

Answer 4

A state of society without government or law, where there is no formal authority or governance.
Example: Anarchist movements or regions experiencing breakdown of governance.

Question 5

Oligarchy

Answer 5

A form of government where power resides in the hands of a small, privileged group.
Example: Certain historical states or modern political elites.

Question 6

Theocracy

Answer 6

A form of government in which religious leaders control the government, and the state’s legal system is based on religious law.
Example: Iran.

Question 7

Republic

Answer 7

A form of government where the country is considered a “public matter” and is not ruled by a monarch. Leaders are elected by the people.
Example: The United States.

Question 8

Totalitarianism

Answer 8

A system of government where the state holds total authority over the society and seeks to control all aspects of public and private life.
Example: North Korea.

Question 9

Civics

Answer 9

Study of the rights, responsibilities, & duties of citizens with an understanding of how government works.

Question 10

Checks and Balances

Answer 10

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches to prevent abuse of power.

Question 11

Federalists and Anti-Federalists

Answer 11

Federalists supported a strong central government as outlined in the Constitution, while Anti-Federalists favored stronger state governments and were concerned about the lack of a Bill of Rights.

Question 12

US Constitution

Answer 12

The supreme law of the United States, outlining the national framework of government.

Question 13

Preamble

Answer 13

The introductory statement of the Constitution that outlines the purpose of the document.

Question 14

Article I

Answer 14

Legislative Branch

Question 15

Article II

Answer 15

Executive Branch

Question 16

Article III

Answer 16

Judicial Branch

Question 17

Article IV

Answer 17

Relations between States

Question 18

Article V

Answer 18

Amendments

Question 19

Article VI

Answer 19

Supremacy Clause

Question 20

Article VII

Answer 20

Ratification

Question 21

Amendments

Answer 21

Changes or additions to the Constitution.

Question 22

First Amendment

Answer 22

Freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion, and petition.

Question 23

Second Amendment

Answer 23

Right to bear arms

Question 24

Fifth Amendment

Answer 24

Rights in criminal cases, including due process.

Question 25

Differences and Similarities Between Democratic and Authoritarian Governments

Answer 25

Democratic governments emphasize participation, accountability, and transparency, while authoritarian governments concentrate power and restrict political freedoms.

Question 26

Differences Between Constitutional Monarchy and Absolute Monarchy

Answer 26

Constitutional Monarchy: Monarch’s powers are limited by law or a constitution (e.g., United Kingdom).
Absolute Monarchy: Monarch has unrestricted power (e.g., Saudi Arabia before recent reforms).

Question 27

Magna Carta

Answer 27

A historic document limiting the powers of the English king and establishing certain legal rights.

Question 28

The English Bill of Rights

Answer 28

An act of Parliament that set out certain civil rights and clarified the limits of the monarchy’s powers.

Question 29

Veto Power

Answer 29

The authority of an executive to reject a bill passed by the legislature.

Question 30

Judicial Review

Answer 30

The power of courts to determine the constitutionality of legislative and executive actions.

Question 31

Bicameral Legislature

Answer 31

A two-chamber legislature, such as the U.S. Congress (Senate and House of Representatives).

Question 32

Impeachment

Answer 32

The process by which a sitting president or other officials can be charged with misconduct and removed from office.

Question 33

Thomas Hobbes

Answer 33

A philosopher known for his work on social contract theory, arguing for a strong central authority to avoid chaos.

Question 34

John Locke

Answer 34

A philosopher who advocated for natural rights and the social contract, influencing democratic theory and the U.S. Constitution.

Question 35

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Answer 35

A philosopher who believed in the importance of the general will and popular sovereignty.

Question 36

Montesquieu

Answer 36

A philosopher known for his theory of separation of powers within government.

Question 37

Centralized Power

Answer 37

Concentration of political authority in a central government or leader.

Question 38

Separation of Powers

Answer 38

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Question 39

6 Constitutional Principles

Answer 39

Popular Sovereignty: Government’s power derives from the people.
Federalism: Division of power between national and state governments.
Separation of Powers: Distribution of powers among different branches.
Checks and Balances: Mechanisms to prevent abuse of power.
Judicial Review: Court authority to review the constitutionality of laws.
Limited Government: Government’s powers are restricted by law.

Question 40

The Federalist Papers

Answer 40

A collection of writings by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay advocating for the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Question 41

State Government

Answer 41

Governs individual states.

Question 42

Federal Government

Answer 42

Governs the entire nation.

Question 43

Local Government

Answer 43

Governs smaller subdivisions, like cities or counties.