FLVS Government Final Exam Study Guide

(2.02 The Constitution) Choose one of the following principles: rule of law, checks and balances, separation of powers, republicanism, democracy, or federalism. Discuss whether you think the Articles of Confederation or the Constitution was a better reflection of that principle and explain your answer in a paragraph.

8/9 points earned: The principle of separation of powers was better reflected in the Constitution. The Constitution distinctly states the three branches of the government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial. Each branch has its own powers assigned, and no branches have the same power. Separation of powers ensures that there will be no corruption of power.

(2.04 Federalism) Choose one of the following cases: McCulloch v. Maryland, Gibbons v. Ogden, or District of Columbia v. Heller. In at least two well-written paragraphs, explain why the case is important to understanding the changing nature of American federalism. (9 points)

9/9 points earned: In the McCulloch v. Maryland case, the Supreme Court had to consider whether Congress had the power to create a national bank, or if the state of Maryland interfered with congressional powers by taxing the national bank. They ended up voting in favor of McCulloch and stated that Maryland had interfered with one of Congress' Implied powers. The decision allowed the federal government ways to achieve the responsibilities that were given in the Constitution. Federalism is a system in which the federal government and the state governments have shared power. But the decision reaffirmed that the United States does have a strong federal government, and the federal law overrules the state law.

(2.02 The Constitution) Which of the following statements accurately describes the relationship between the principle of "separation of powers" and the Articles of Confederation?

Because the Articles of Confederation created a central government that contained only a legislative branch, it does not reflect the principle of "separation of powers".

(2.02 The Constitution) How is the principle of "rule of law" evident in the Constitution?

It creates a government that can make, enforce, and review its own laws.

(1.01 Natural Rights) What do Americans value as the basic individual or natural rights?

Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

(1.01 Natural Rights) "In the government of this commonwealth, the legislative department shall never exercise the executive and judicial powers, or either of them. The executive shall never exercise the legislative and judicial powers, or either of them. The judicial shall never exercise the legislative and executive powers, or either of them. To the end it may be a government of laws and not of men."—Massachusetts Constitution, Part the First, Article XXX, 1780 Which two government principles does this quote reflect?

Rule of law, limited government

(2.04 Federalism) The term federalism describes

a legal division of authority between the national, state, and local governments

(2.02 The Constitution) "Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States: If he approve he shall sign it, but if not he shall return it, with his Objections to that House in which it shall have originated..."—U.S. Constitution This quote directly reflects the principle of

checks and balances

(2.02 The Constitution) Article One of the Constitution illustrates how the national government's power is

derived from the states and the people

(2.02 The Constitution) The Constitution reflects the principle "separation of powers" because it

distributes power between three branches of government

(1.01 Natural Rights) An example of an important service the government provides to all U.S. citizens is

education

(1.01 Natural Rights) Throughout the city, police officers patrol the streets and neighborhoods of St. Louis. This image best illustrates how government

enforces laws and provides protection for citizens

(2.02 The Constitution) Article Two of the Constitution describes the powers of the

executive branch, such as enforcing laws

(2.04 Federalism) The first three articles of the U.S. Constitution

explain the powers delegated to the national government

(2.02 The Constitution) The amendment process to the U.S. Constitution reflects the principle of

federalism because it requires support from state and national governments

(2.04 Federalism) Expressed powers are

granted to the national government by the U.S. Constitution

(1.01 Natural Rights) A "limited government" is a government that

has restrictions on the powers of its officials

(2.04 Federalism) Powers not directly stated in the Constitution that have been interpreted as belonging to the national government are described as

implied powers

(2.04 Federalism) A criticism of the American system of federalism is that it is

inefficient in responding to crises involving multiple levels of government

(2.02 The Constitution) Article Three of the Constitution describes the powers of the

judicial branch, such as interpreting laws

(1.01 Natural Rights) The Constitution divides the U.S. government into three branches that can each stop, or check, actions of the other branches. This division of power is a result of the principle of

limited government

(2.02 The Constitution) The framers of the Constitution believed that they created a government

limited to the powers described in the document

(2.04 Federalism) People who take a "layer cake" view of federalism believe that

national and state governments are exclusively sovereign in their areas

(2.04 Federalism) People who take a "marble cake" view of federalism believe that

national and state governments cooperate to meet citizen needs

(2.04 Federalism) Which of the following is an example of a delegated power?

national government creates a treaty with a sovereign nation

(2.04 Federalism) Which of the following is an example of an implied power?

national government creates an air force division of the military

(1.01 Natural Rights) Protection for individual rights in U.S. society reflects the idea that all people have

natural rights

(1.01 Natural Rights) Governments create laws and rules to

prevent chaos

(1.01 Natural Rights) Elections to choose officials to stand for the people's interests in the work of government reflect the principle of

representative government

(1.01 Natural Rights) In 2011, a movement known as Occupy Wall Street began in New York City. The protestors asserted that large corporations had too much influence on government. They blamed this influence for greater financial problems for the majority of Americans, such as the lack of jobs. Which principle do the protestors most likely believe government violated?

representative government

(2.02 The Constitution) One weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that it

required unanimous state consent to amend it

(2.04 Federalism) The state of Florida passes a law requiring high school students to take an online course as a graduation requirement. This is an example of a

reserved power granted to the state governments

(2.04 Federalism) The Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution

reserves to the states any powers not delegated to the national government

(1.01 Natural Rights) An example of a location that directly shows government in action is a

school

(1.01 Natural Rights) This doctor has the right to assist this patient because

she is licensed by the government to practice medicine