CIVICS REVIEW
What does popular sovereignty mean?
The authority to rule rest with the people
What is the term of a federal judge and how are they selected?
" good behavior" -president
What is natural law and how does John Locke define it?
- defines right from wrong and is about human law John Locke- define natural law as everyone is right to defend his "Life, Liberty, Health, and Possessions."
How does the President check Congress and the courts?
- may veto a bill passes by congress and prevent it from becoming a law - nominates almost all federal judges including supreme court
What is federalism?
- the sharing of powers between the states and the federal government.
Name the six principles or concepts found in the Constitution.
1. popular sovereignty 2. limited government 3. separation of powers 4. checks and balances 5. judicial review 6. federalism
Which amendment is the best example of limited government?
10th
What was the significance of Marbury v. Madison?
1803 established the power of judicial review passed the law midnight judges act do not want federalist as judges
Which amendment to the U.S. Constitution is known for its protection of our five basic freedoms and what are the five basic freedoms?
1st amendment speech, press,religion, petition, and assembly.
Which amendment took the longest time to ratify?
27th
What are the two methods for ratifying a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
3/4 of the states must approve the proposed amendment state wide convention
Why have so few amendments been added to the U.S. Constitution?
3/4 vote for congress to amend
What is the difference between strict and loose constructionism
Loose construction-means that the federal government can take reasonable actions that the constitution does not specifically forbid Strict construction- people who favor strict constitution think that that federal government should do only what the constitution specifically says it can do
What is the difference between statutory and common law?
statutory law- a statue or law passed by the legislature common law- The courts and historical practices that have the same effect as law.
What evidence is cited in the textbook that Congress is the first among the three branches of government?
article 1 power of congress peoples branch
What do we call the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution?
bill of rights
Of what significance are the 15th, 19th and 26th amendments?
citizens have rights
What is separation of powers and why was it deemed necessary by the framers?
define- the division of power among three branches of government with each having district power of its own.
Who selects the President of the United States and what are the qualifications to be President?
electoral college -qualifications- - 35 years old -natural born citizen -resident for US 14 years
How do the courts check the President and Congress?
supreme court has the final say on the constititionality of all laws or actions by governments
How does Congress check the President and the courts?
executive congress has the power to override a presidential veto and make a bill a law with a two vote of each chamber. congress can impeach and remove federal judges, including the supreme court.
How have Presidents informally amended the U.S. Constitution?
executive agreement
What part of Article VI is an example of separation of church and state?
forbids the use of religious test as a criterion to hold office in the US.
What is the difference between an informal and formal amendment to the U.S. Constitution
formal- proposing the amendment informal- refers to changes in how we interpret and use it.
What are the various types of informal amendments?
legsilation executive actions marbury v madison political party
Describe the different ways we can amend the U.S. Constitution.
proposing amendments - joint resolution 2/3 vote ratifying amendments- 3/4 state convention
What is the "Great Writ" and why is it important to the concept of liberty?
requires the state to bring a person before a judge to prove there is a reasonable cause to hod the person in jail to wait till trail
What rights, other than the five basic freedoms, are found in the Bill of Rights?
right to bear arms, right to grand jury, rights reserved to states
What is the significance of Article IV?
states are independent and sovereign
What is judicial review?
the power of the courts including the supreme court to declare a law or action by government or one of its officials as unconstittional
What limitations are there on a President checking the courts?
the president nominates almost all federal judges including the supreme court
What is constitutional law?
the rules set forth by a constitution
Why did the forefathers adopt the unenumerated rights amendment (9TH)?
to protect what constitutional lawyers call unenumerated rights
What powers are denied to Congress in Article I, Section 9?
writ of habeas corpus " the great writ"
