Civics Final Exam
Preamble to the Constitution
-Sets up government structure -Defines the role of government -Protects the rights of american citizens
What are the first 10 amendments?
1. freedom of religion 2 right to bear arms 3. no soldier should be quartered without consent of the owner 4. right against unreasonable searches and seizure 5. Right to remain silent 6. right to a speedy and public trial 7.right to trial by jury 8. Concerns bails, fines and punishments 9. guarantees and reserves the rights of the people 10. States, "the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, Nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the states respectively, or to the people.
How many senators in the senate
100 (2 per state)
How many amendments does the Constitution have?
27
How many representatives are in the House?
435 representatives
If the president vetoes a bill, does it automatically die?
A bill can go through a vote one more time in both houses. If it passes again with 2/3 vote, the bill will become a law. If it does not override the presidents veto with a 2/3 vote the bill dies.
What is a bill?
A bill is a proposed law.
Great Compromise
A solution that ultimately became our system of government. There would be three branches of government, legislative branch would be bicameral with one house represented equally by states and the other proportionally based in state population.
Amendments - What are they?
Change or modification to the constitution
What are checks and balances and why are they an important part of American democracy?
Each branch of government is limited by the other. This system is in place in order to ensure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments to the Constitution
Why was the Bill of Rights created?
In order to get states to agree to the constitution, the states asked that the rights that many had fought and died to protect to be included in the constitution.
Who wrote the Bill of Rights?
James Madison
What are the three branches of government?
Legislative, Executive, Judicial
What is an example of checks and balances?
President vetoes a bill passed by Congress. Supreme Court declares a law unconstitutional Congress overrides a Presidents veto
Who is in the Executive Branch, and what do they do?
President, Vice president and the presidents cabinet. The main job of this branch is to implement and enforce laws. The president acts as the head of state, head of government, and the commander in chief.
Who makes the decisions on laws in America?
Representatives 435 Senators 100 President 1 Vice president 1 Total of 537
Virginia Plan
Requested 3 branches of government and wanted the legislative branch to be bicameral. Both houses in the legislature would be determined.
New Jersey Plan
Requested 3 branches of government but wanted a unicameral. This house was to be established with equal representation from states regardless the population.
What is the process that a bill must takes in order to become a law?
Step 1: A bill is created by either house Step 2: Committee hearings Step 3: Floor vote Step 4: If passes the first house, goes to the other house Step 5: Committee Hearings Step 6: Floor vote Step 7. Conference committee with both houses to create one bill with the same wording Step 8. Bill goes to the president to be signed into a law
What is the judicial branch and what does it do?
Supreme court, which has 9 justices that serve for life. The 9 judges are nominated by the president and approved by the senate. The Supreme court interprets laws of congress.
What is the purpose of the cabinets and name three
The cabinet members are the presidents closest advisors. There are a total of 15 cabinet departments and they are. DEPARTMENT OF STATE,DEPARTMENT OF TREASURY, DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.
Importance of constitution
The document is the highest law of america. It shows how the government works, creates the presidency, congress and the supreme court.
Legislative branch consist of who and what do they do?
The legislative branch is bicameral. The two houses are the house of representatives and the senate. The main responsibilities of the two houses are to create and establish laws to govern our country.
what is a veto and who can use it?
The president uses it to reject or "say no" to a bill or act of congress.
Who takes over if something happens to the president?
The vice president. If the vice president cannot either, the speaker of the house takes over.
Why are there three branches of government?
to make sure 1 doesn't get too powerful