Study Island - Principles of American Government

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. —Preamble of the United States Constitution The idea of popular sovereignty is most related to which of the following statements from the preamble of the U.S. Constitution?

"We the People of the United States"

Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution protects equal protection under the law?

14th amendment

• organizing a strike • marching in a parade • wearing a political T-shirt • attending church All of the activities in the list above are part of American civic culture. They are also protected by the

First Amendment.

Which part of the U.S. Constitution most supports the American ideal of "equality and justice for all"?

Fourteenth Amendment

Explain the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act and how it relates to the principle of rule of law.

It attempts to prevent discrimination against disabled Americans in the courts.

Which strategy is used by Congress to ensure the rule of law is respected?

Policymakers submit bills to legal counsel for advice.

"We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." —Preamble, U.S. Constitution How does the Preamble to the United States Constitution suggest the political principle of the social compact?

The Constitution and government are established by the people.

Which convention of American government reflects the principle of popular sovereignty?

The House of Representatives is composed of individuals elected every two years directly by the people.

Which passage from the U.S. Constitution reflects the principle of federalism? W. In Suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law. X. The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government, and shall protect each of them against Invasion; and on Application of the Legislature, or of the Executive (when the Legislature cannot be convened), against domestic Violence. Y. The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Z. A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

X

Select a situation in which the rule of law was absent.

attacks on African Americans by the Ku Klux Klan

Identify fundamental American values in the constitutional principle of rule of law.

equality and justice

"Over the past 15 to 20 years, more mentally challenged people have been moved out of institutions and into community programs. This "community" experience may mean living in their family's home, in a group home with other mentally challenged people, or in any home in the neighborhood. They may also work in a variety of competitive jobs that non-handicapped people also hold, or attend programs that teach skills like cooking and doing laundry, as well as various prevocational skills. This movement has been greeted with enormous enthusiasm by some, with overwhelming opposition by others. Neighborhoods where group homes are to be located have frequently been fearful about what this will mean for their image and for property values. But many people have taken a much more positive attitude toward their mentally challenged neighbors once they have gotten to know them." According to the article above, mentally challenged people

face discrimination in some areas.

Because of the Constitutional principle of _______, the central government must share power with local and state governments.

federalism

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." —Declaration of Independence "No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President." —U.S. Constitution, Article 2, section 1 Compare the two passages above. The American ideal that "all men are created equal" conflicts with the reality that

foreign-born citizens cannot become president.

Which political principle is located in the Bill of Rights?

freedom of religion

The Constitutional right of _______ reflects the principle of limited government.

habeas corpus

-The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it. -No Bill of Attainder or ex post facto Law shall be passed. -No Capitation, or other direct, Tax shall be laid, unless in Proportion to the Census or Enumeration herein before directed to be taken. -No Tax or Duty shall be laid on Articles exported from any State. -No Preference shall be given by any Regulation of Commerce or Revenue to the Ports of one State over those of another; nor shall Vessels bound to, or from, one State, be obliged to enter, clear, or pay Duties in another. -No Money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in Consequence of Appropriations made by Law; and a regular Statement and Account of the Receipts and Expenditures of all public Money shall be published from time to time. The provisions above, all included in the U.S. Constitution, are designed to uphold the principle of

limited government

Thomas Jefferson based concepts in the Declaration of Independence on philosophies from the Enlightenment. The ideas of the unalienable rights of "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" are based on which of these political principles?

natural rights

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." —Fourth Amendment, United States Constitution Which element of common and shared American culture is protected by the Fourth Amendment?

privacy

Which constitutional principle most reflects the American value of participation?

republicanism