A New Nation part 2

A New Nation Review Guide

​During the time of the Constitutional Convention the thirteen colonies separated themselves from British rule and began their journey creating their own government.

Popular Sovereignty

​“Popular Sovereignty” means …

WE’VE GOT THE POWER!

Our government’s power comes from the people who live in it.

 

American citizens elect the leaders who make the decisions in the government. 

Don’t like a decision? Vote the leader out of office.

Multiple Choice

What does the words " Popular Sovereignty" mean?

• The government has the power

• The king was very popular

• We have the power

• The United States is peaceful

Multiple Choice

The U.S. is a representative democracy. Who elects the government officials?

• The president chooses everyone

• The citizens

• The wealthiest people

• The states who have the largest populations

Branches of Government

Multiple Choice

Why do different branches of government have separate jobs?

• Because they are only good at one job.

• Because not everyone can have the same job.

• To make sure that each person has the job they like.

• To ensure that one branch does not have all the power

Multiple Choice

What is the job of the Legislative branch?

• To make laws

• To enforce laws (make sure people follow them)

• To keep the citizens happy

• To interpret the laws

Multiple Choice

What building does the Legislative branch meet at?

• The White House

• The U.S. Supreme Court

• The U.S. Capitol

• The Boss's house

Multiple Choice

What are the two groups that make up Congress?

• The first group and the second group

• The House of Representatives and the Senate

• The White house and the Supreme Court

• There is only one group for Congress

Multiple Choice

What is the job of the Executive Branch?

• They make sure that people vote

• They create the laws

• They check to see if the laws follow the constitution

• They enforce the laws

Multiple Choice

What building does the Executive branch meet in?

• The White House

• The U.S. Supreme Court

• The U.S Capitol

• The Library of Congress

Multiple Choice

What is the job of the Judicial Branch?

• They make the laws

• They interpret the laws

• They enforce the laws

• They vote for the president

Multiple Choice

Why does the Judicial branch interpret the laws?

• To make sure the laws have no spelling errors

• To ensure the laws aren't unconstitutional

• To enforce laws through police action.

• To write the laws so citizens can understand them.

Who has the power?

​The three branches of government practice the separation of powers format. This ensures that not one branch has more power than the other. They use this format through a process called checks and balances.

​The executive branch is headed by the president and carries out and enforces the laws made by Congress. The executive branch also has the power to check and balance the other two branches. For example, the president can veto (reject) a bill passed by the legislative branch. This prevents (stops) it from becoming a law. However, the legislative branch can override (cancel) the president’s veto if they get enough votes. Also, the president picks new justices for the Supreme Court when the justices retire.

​​The judicial branch is headed by the Supreme Court which interprets laws to make sure they are fair. The judicial branch is just as powerful as the other two branches and often checks them. For example, if the legislative or executive branch does something that the judicial branch believes is unconstitutional (not following the Constitution), the judicial branch can decide whether their actions are illegal.

​The legislative branch is headed by Congress (the U.S. Senate and the U.S. House of Representatives)and passes laws for the nation. The legislative branch has the power to check and balance the other two branches. For example, if presidents break the law, Congress can impeach them and eventually remove them from office. Also, when the president chooses a new Supreme Court justice, Congress decides if the justice is actually allowed to join the Supreme Court.

Multiple Choice

What are checks and balances?

• A way to eliminate government branches.
• A system that prevents any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
• A method for increasing government efficiency.
• A system that allows one branch to control all others.

The Federal System:

Federal Powers

What is the purpose of a federal system?

The framers of the Constitution decided to put a Federal System of government in place. A Federal System gives certain powers to the federal (national) government, certain powers to the state governments, as well as certain powers to the local governments. Some powers would be shared. This way, no one level of government would have all the power. 

Federal Vs. State

The federal government has three branches, including the president, Congress, and the Supreme Court. They are in charge of things that impact the entire country, like declaring war and printing money.

The state government also has three branches, including the governor, the Georgia General Assembly and the Supreme Court of Georgia. They are in charge of things that are specific to each state, like schools and driver’s licenses.

​Who has the power?

Multiple Choice

What powers do both the state and federal government have?

• The power to tax the citizens, make and enforce laws, and borrow money

• The power to decide how many days students go to school

• The power to declare war
• The power to print currency

Multiple Choice

What powers do ONLY state governments have?

• Declare war

• Make laws

• Issue a drivers license and decide how many days students go to school.

• Tax the citizens

Multiple Choice

What powers do ONLY the federal governments have?

• Make laws

• Tax Citizens

• Issue a drivers liscense

• Declare war and print money

Natural Rights

During the American Revolution, the Second Continental Congress created a committee to write a document that broke ties with Great Britain. This document was called the Declaration of Independence. This document explained how the colonists felt about the British leaders and declared the colonies free and independent .

The right to life means that each person has the right to live their own life.

The right to liberty means that each person has the right to be free. People should not be enslaved.

The right to the pursuit of happiness means that each person has the freedom to go after their dreams and ambitions to make themselves happy.

​Everyone has Rights!

Multiple Choice

What does the right to life mean?

• The right to life means that every individual has the right to live, protected by law .

• The right to life allows individuals to choose when they become an adult

• The right to life means that everyone must live in a specific location.
• The right to life guarantees a life free of any responsibilities.

Multiple Choice

What does the right to liberty mean?

• The right to liberty means the freedom to act, think, and express oneself without oppressive restrictions.
• The right to liberty is the same as the right to own property.
• The right to liberty means being free from all laws.
• The right to liberty allows for unlimited control over others.

Multiple Choice

What does the pursuit of happiness mean?

• The pursuit of happiness refers to the avoidance of all responsibilities.
• The pursuit of happiness is about conforming to social expectations.

• The pursuit of happiness means to go after your dreams.

• The pursuit of happiness means accumulating wealth and possessions.

The First Amendments

Multiple Choice

What is the freedom of speech?

• The ability to speak without any consequences or responsibilities.
• The right to express opinions only if they match with government views.

• The freedom to speak only in public places.
• Freedom of speech is the right to express opinions and ideas without harming another.

Multiple Choice

What is the freedom of Religion?

• Freedom of religion is the right to practice any religion or none, without interference.
• Freedom of religion is the right to make fun of one's beliefs on others.

• Freedom of religion means you must follow only one specific religion.

• Freedom of religion allows the government to tell you what you must believe

Multiple Choice

What is the freedom of press?

• The freedom of press is the right to publish news and opinions without talking badly about the government.

• The freedom of press is the right to publish only government-approved news.
• The freedom of press allows the government to control media outlets.
• The freedom of press is the ability to censor news content.

Multiple Choice

What is the freedom to petition?

• The freedom to petition is the right to sign documents to seek assistance from the government.

• The freedom to petition is the right to vote in elections.
• The freedom to petition allows individuals to travel freely without restrictions.
• The freedom to petition is the ability to express opinions on social media.

Multiple Choice

What is the freedom to assemble?

• The freedom to assemble is the right to protest violently.
• The freedom to assemble is the right to gather peacefully.

• The freedom to assemble allows for people to gather in private spaces only.

• The freedom to assemble is the right to gather for any purpose, including illegal activities.