US Government Test 1/9/23

Question 1

Why do we need government?

Answer 1

To maintain order in the country and protect the rights of the people

Question 2

What is the rule of law?

Answer 2

Both the government and the governed must obey the law- no one is above the law

Question 3

What are some problems that existed with the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 3

-States had too much power
-Since the government couldn’t collect taxes, there were financial problems
-There was no president/central leader
-Each state had different currencies

Question 4

What happened during Shay’s rebellion?

Answer 4

Massachusetts farmers, lead by war veteran Daniel Shays, rebelled against the taxes being placed on them. They shit down tax-collecting government buildings and it only ended when the governor sent the militia

Question 5

What was the “Great Compromise”?

Answer 5

A combination of the New Jersey plan and the Virginia plan- three branches, two houses of Congress (Senate+ House of Representatives)

Question 6

What was the 3/5ths compromise?

Answer 6

An agreement where when counting population, slaves would count as 3/5ths of a person

Question 7

What are all of the powers and functions of the Executive Branch? (9)

Answer 7

-Approve or veto all bills passed by congress
-Command armed forces
-develop US foreign policy
-appoint ambassadors and federal judges
-Propose laws and programs to congress
-Prepare the federal budget
-Grant pardons
-Administer federal programs and services through cabinet departments
-Make treaties with foreign countries

Question 8

What are all of the functions and powers of the Legislative Branch (Both branches)? (8)

Answer 8

-Passes Laws
-Declare war and make peace
-Impeach government officials (House begins, Senate holds trials)
-Override vetoes
-Finance the government
-Approve the coining of money
-Raise the army
-Approve citizenship

Question 9

What are all of the functions and powers of the Senate? (3)

Answer 9

-Confirm or reject appointments to office
-Hold impeachment trials
-Ratify treaties

Question 10

What are all of the functions and powers of the House of Representatives? (1)

Answer 10

-Begin impeachment trials

Question 11

What are all of the functions and powers of the Judicial Branch? (4)

Answer 11

-Judge the laws
-Determine punishment of lawbreakers
-US court of appeals manages appeals
-US Supreme Court is included

Question 12

What things does the Supreme Court manage? (5)

Answer 12

-Disputes between states
-Cases involving ambassadors and foreign leaders
-Interpreting laws
-Determine the constitutionality of the other branches
-Reviews appeals from the highest state courts

Question 13

What are some ways the Executive Branch is checked and balanced?

Answer 13

-Congress can approve/deny the president’s nominated court or justice members
-The president can sign an Executive order and the Judicial Branch can strike it down
-Congress can override a president’s veto
-The president can be impeached

Question 14

What is federalism?

Answer 14

A from of government where power is divided between different levels of government

Question 15

What is federalism?

Answer 15

A form of government where power is divided between different levels of government

Question 16

What are the different roles of State and Federal government?

Answer 16

State governments manage licenses, roads, and schools. The federal government manages situations involving foreign countries, war, and the military

Question 17

Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?

Answer 17

Because Anti-Federalists were worried the government would become too strong and take away the rights of the people. They refused to ratify the Constitution if there wasn’t a Bill of Rights.

Question 18

What is limited government?

Answer 18

When the powers of the government are limited

Question 19

How does the Constitution limit the government’s power?

Answer 19

-Impeachment
-Checks and balances
-Amendment process

Question 20

What is a Federalist?

Answer 20

A supporter of the Constitution

Question 21

What is an Anti-Federalist?

Answer 21

Someone against the ratification of the Constitution

Question 22

What is the meaning of the word petition?

Answer 22

Make a formal request to a form of authority over a particular cause.

Question 23

What is the meaning of the word ratify?

Answer 23

To approve a plan or agreement

Question 24

What is the meaning of the word amend?

Answer 24

Add or change something

Question 25

What is the meaning of the word unconstitutional?

Answer 25

Something that goes against the values of the Constitution.

Question 26

What are the Articles of Confederation?

Answer 26

The original Constitution of the US, was ratified in 1781. The states had more power than the government.

Question 27

What is the Electoral College?

Answer 27

A group of people who represent the US states and formally cast votes to elect the president and vice-president

Question 28

What are Due Process Rights?

Answer 28

All of the steps will be completed correctly in a trial

Question 29

What is the meaning of the word veto?

Answer 29

Stop a law, bill, or other form from being passed.

Question 30

What are checks and balances?

Answer 30

The system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other 2 branches.

Question 31

What is the Separation of Powers?

Answer 31

Certain powers are limited to certain branches of government

Question 32

What is Popular Sovereignity?

Answer 32

The government gets its power from the people.

Question 33

What is Judicial Review?

Answer 33

When the US supreme court reviews a law or act to see if it is unconstitutional

Question 34

What rights are protected by the first amendment?

Answer 34

-Freedom of speech
-Right to assemble
-Freedom of religion
-Freedom of the press
-Right to petition the government