Principles of the Constitution/Governmental Powers

Front

What is federalism?

Back

The state and national government share power.

Answer explanation

The United States has a federal government, where the many state governments and the single federal government share power. This system is known as federalism.

Front

What Constitutional Principle reflects the idea that the people have the power?

Back

Popular Sovereignty

Answer explanation

Popular Sovereignty

The Constitution begins with an introduction, or preamble. With its first words—"We the People"—the preamble lays the foundation of the American system of government: popular sovereignty, or the authority of the people. The preamble makes clear that it is the people of the United States who hold the power and who establish a system of government for their own well-being.

Front

What is "checks and balances?"

Back

Each branch of power has the ability to limit the power of the other branches.

Answer explanation

Checks and Balances

The Framers did more than separate the powers of government. They set up a system of checks and balances. Under this system, each branch of government can check, or limit, the power of the other branches. This system helps maintain a balance in the power of the three branches.

Front

What type of power does the U.S. Constitution give to our governments?

Back

Limited

Answer explanation

Limited Government

The Framers were wary of a government that might take away people's rights or favor certain groups. At the same time, they realized that the nation needed a stronger government than the Articles of Confederation had provided. Their goal was to establish limited government, in which the powers of government are strictly defined. A limited government has only those powers that are given to it by the people.

Front

Government is divided into 3 branches: Legislative, Executive & Judicial branches.

Back

Separation of Powers

Answer explanation

Separation of Powers

To make sure no person or group in government has too much power, the Constitution provides for a separation of powers. This means the Constitution separates the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government. It then places these powers in three different branches of government. Each branch has different—and limited—powers, duties, and responsibilities.

Front

A system where each branch of government keeps the other branches from having too much power.

Back

Checks & Balances

Answer explanation

Front

The Preamble to the Constitution begins with "We the People." This is an example of which of the principles of government?

Back

Popular Sovereignty

Answer explanation

Front

The Supremacy Clause of the Constitution says if state law conflicts with the Constitution or federal law, the Constitution or federal law prevails.

Back

True

Answer explanation

Front

The power of the courts to decide if government acts are Constitutional is called

Back

Judicial Review

Answer explanation

The best-known power of the Supreme Court is judicial review, or the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution, is not found within the text of the Constitution itself. The Court established this doctrine in the case of Marbury v. Madison (1803).

In this case, the Court had to decide whether an Act of Congress or the Constitution was the supreme law of the land.

Front

The principle of the Constitution designed to prevent a 'power grab' by another branch of government is called?

Back

Checks and balances

Answer explanation