Unit 3: Topic 9 - The Constitution Flashcards
What are the three branches of the federal government and their primary roles?
The three branches are:
The executive branch, which carries out the law (president and cabinet).
The legislative branch, which makes the laws (congress).
The judicial branch, which evaluates/interprets the laws (the courts).
What is federalism?
Federalism is the sharing of power between state and national government.
What are checks and balances? What is their purpose?
Checks and balances are provisions to secure a limited government. They ensure no branch of the federal government becomes too powerful by allowing the branches to “check” one another.
What is an example of constitutional checks and balances?
Example: Congress (legislative branch) creates laws, but the president (executive branch) must approve them to pass. The President has the power to veto the law if they disapprove it.
Congress then has the ability to override the presidential veto with a 2/3 majority vote.
How did the Constitution differ from the Articles of Confederation?
The Constitution expanded the federal government’s powers by creating three powerful (but still checked) branches. It made a bicameral Congress with two chambers (the House of Representatives and Senate), instituted a judiciary, and created a central leader serving as president.
The Constitution gave the federal government more control over money and taxes, which expanded its abilities by enabling the funding of Federal Government operations.
Which powers did the Constitution give to the executive branch?
Article II of the Constitution created the presidency. Powers expressed include making treaties, commanding the military, appointing Supreme Court justices, and vetoing legislation.
Which powers did the Constitution give to the legislative branch?
Article I of the Constitution established Congress. The framers of the Constitution expected Congress to be the dominant branch of government. They placed it first in the Constitution and assigned more powers to Congress than the president.
Powers expressed include the ability to raise taxes, coin money, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, promote the sciences and the arts, and declare war.
Which powers did the Constitution give to the judicial branch?
Article III of the Constitution established a Supreme Court. Powers expressed were to interpret the law, determine the constitutionality of the law, and apply it to individual cases.
What is the Electoral College? Why was it created?
The Electoral College refers to the process by which the United States elects the president. American presidents are elected not directly by the people but by the people’s electors.
The framers of the U.S. Constitution created the Electoral College as an alternative to electing the president by popular vote or Congress.
