Unit 4 National Government Notes Questions Flashcards

1
Q

What outlines the structure of our government?

A

The U.S. Constitution

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2
Q

What is federalism?

A

the national and state governments both have power

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3
Q

Which level of government in our federal system is supreme?

A

National

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4
Q

What is foreign policy?

A

Our government’s relationship with other countries

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5
Q

What is commerce?

A

trade (National government regulates trade between states and other countries)

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6
Q

What are the primary responsibilities of the national government?

A

conduct foreign policy
regulate commerce
provide for the common defense

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7
Q

What are reserved powers?

A

powers set aside for the state governments

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8
Q

Which amendment created reserved powers?

A

10th amendment

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9
Q

What is a federal mandate?

A

It is when the national government requires action by the state governments; often produces tension between governments

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10
Q

What are examples of reserved powers?

A

licensing, education, promoting public health, safety, and welfare

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11
Q

What are concurrent powers?

A

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

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12
Q

What are the three branches of government?

A

legislative, executive, and judicial

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13
Q

What does separation of powers mean?

A

Each branch of government has its own separate and distinct powers.

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14
Q

What are checks and balances?

A

The power to limit the powers of the other branches of government.

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15
Q

What is Congress?

A

legislative branch

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16
Q

What does bicameral mean?

A

two chambers

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17
Q

What is legislature?

A

a lawmaking body

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18
Q

What are the two chambers of Congress?

A

House of Representatives and the Senate

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19
Q

What is the census?

A

a count of how many citizens live in a state; occurs every ten years and determines representation in the House of Representatives

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20
Q

The House was meant to represent who?

A

the people

21
Q

The Senate was meant to represent who?

A

the states

22
Q

What is the total number of both the House and Senate?

A

535

23
Q

How many members are in the Senate?

A

100

24
Q

How long is a Senate term?

A

6 years

25
Q

How many Senators are from each state?

A

2

26
Q

How many members are in the House?

A

435

27
Q

How long is a House term?

A

2 years

28
Q

What are expressed powers?

A

The powers of Congress that are specifically listed (written) in the Constitution.

29
Q

What are examples of expressed powers?

A

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

30
Q

What are implied powers?

A

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

31
Q

What is the main function (job) of Congress?

A

making laws

32
Q

Why are laws created?

A

In order to fix issues or problems

33
Q

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

A
  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 Senate (which one it was introduced in)
  4. Vote in the House or Senate (which one it was introduced in)
  5. Sent to the other chamber 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)
34
Q

What is lobbying?

A

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

35
Q

What is a bill?

A

a draft of a law

36
Q

How can individuals shape legislation or influence policy making?

A

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

37
Q

What do interest groups do?

A

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

38
Q

Who is in charge of running the federal government including overseeing the Cabinet departments, executive agencies, and regulatory groups?

A

The President

39
Q

What does the Cabinet do?

A

Advises the president and helps run the various departments of the federal government (ex: Department of Defense, Department of Justice, etc.)

40
Q

What is the main job of the executive branch?

A

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

41
Q

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

A

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

42
Q

What is the president’s role as Chief of State?

A

ceremonial head of government

43
Q

What is the president’s role as Chief Executive?

A

head of executive branch

44
Q

What is the president’s role as Chief Legislator?

A

proposes a legislative agenda

45
Q

What is the president’s role as Commander in Chief?

A

head of the nation’s armed forces

46
Q

What is the president’s role as Chief Diplomat?

A

american foreign policy leader

47
Q

What is the president’s role as Chief of the Party?

A

leader of the political party

48
Q

What is the president’s role as Chief Citizen?

A

representative of the American people