Unit 4 National Government Notes Questions

Question 1

What outline the structure of our government?

Answer 1

Constitution

Question 2

What is federalism?

Answer 2

The national and state government both have power.

Question 3

Which level of government in our federal system is supreme?

Answer 3

National

Question 4

What is foreign policy?

Answer 4

Our relationship with other countries.

Question 5

What is commerce?

Answer 5

Watching over business and/or trade (between states and other countries.

Question 6

What are the main responsibilities of the national government?

Answer 6

Conduct foreign policy, regulate commerce, and provide for the common defense.

Question 7

What are reserved powers?

Answer 7

powers set side for the state governments.

Question 8

Which amendment set aside reserved powers?

Answer 8

10th Amendment

Question 9

What is a federal mandate?

Answer 9

Is when the national governments requires action by state produces tension between the governments.

Question 10

What are examples of reserved powers?

Answer 10

licensing, promote public health, safety, education and welfare of the residents of the states.

Question 11

What are concurrent powers?

Answer 11

Powers that are shared by both the national and state governments (ex.taxation)

Question 12

What are the 3 branches of government?

Answer 12

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

Question 13

What does separation of powers mean?

Answer 13

The branch has a distinct and separate powers.

Question 14

What are checks and balances?

Answer 14

Each branch is limited by the other branches of government.

Question 15

What is congress?

Answer 15

Legislative branch

Question 16

What does bicameral mean?

Answer 16

2 chambers

Question 17

What is a legislature?

Answer 17

Lawmaking body

Question 18

What are the 2 chambers of congress?

Answer 18

Senate and House of Representatives

Question 19

What is a census?

Answer 19

A count of a number of citizens in every state; conducted every 10 years and is used to determine representation for each state

Question 20

The house was meant to represent?

Answer 20

The people

Question 21

The senate was meant to represent who?

Answer 21

The states

Question 22

What is the total of both the house and the senate?

Answer 22

535

Question 23

How many members are in the senate?

Answer 23

100

Question 24

How long is a senate term

Answer 24

6 years

Question 25

How many senators are from each state?

Answer 25

2

Question 26

How many members are in the house

Answer 26

435

Question 27

How long is a house term?

Answer 27

2 years

Question 28

What are expressed powers?

Answer 28

The powers of congress that are specifically listed (written) in the constitution.

Question 29

What are examples of expressed powers?

Answer 29

making laws for the nation, approving the annual budget, raising revenue (money) through the taxes, fees, & fines. confirming presidential appointments, regulating interstate and foreign trade, declaring war.

Question 30

What are Implied powers?

Answer 30

These are powers that are not stated in the constitution, but are used to carry out expressed powers.

Question 31

What is the main function (job) of congress?

Answer 31

making laws

Question 32

Why are laws created?

Answer 32

In order to fix issues or problems.

Question 33

What are the basic steps for how a bill becomes a law?

Answer 33

1, Introduce the bill in either the house or senate
2. Assign bill to a committee
3. Debated on the floor of the house or the senate (which one it was introduced in)
4. Vote in the house or the senate (which one it was introduced in)
5. Sent to the other chambers of congress where steps 2-4 are repeated
6. If the bill passes both chambers of congress, it goes to the president who can either sign or veto it (stop it)

Question 34

What is lobbying?

Answer 34

Is how individuals or interest groups try to influence groups try to influence legislators or introduce or vote for or against a particular bill

Question 35

What is a bill?

Answer 35

a draft of a law

Question 36

How can individuals shape legislation or influence policy making?

Answer 36

voting, campaigning , or holding public office; join an interest group

Question 37

What do interest groups do?

Answer 37

Identifying issues of importance, make political contributions (give money) to political campaigns, lobbying

Question 38

Who is in charge of running the federal?

Answer 38

The president

Question 39

What does the cabinet do?

Answer 39

Advises the president and helps run the various departments of the federal government (ex:department of defense, department of justice, etc.)

Question 40

What is the main job of the executive branch?

Answer 40

enforce the laws, carry out the laws, execute the laws.

Question 41

What is the president’s role in the lawmaking process?

Answer 41

propose legislation approve or veto legislation, carry out the laws by appointing officials appeal to citizens to support or reject legislation

Question 42

What is the president’s role as chief of state?

Answer 42

ceremonial head of government

Question 43

What is the president’s role as chief executive?

Answer 43

the lead of the executive branch

Question 44

What is the president’s role as chief legislator?

Answer 44

proposes a legislative agenda to congress

Question 45

What is the president’s role as commander in chief?

Answer 45

head of the nations armed forces

Question 46

What is the president’s role as chief diplomat?

Answer 46

american foreign policy leader

Question 47

What is the president’s role as chief of the party?

Answer 47

leader of the political party

Question 48

What is the president’s role as chief citizen?

Answer 48

representative of the american people