Principles of Government

The term federalism is best defined as

• the process of amending a constitution

• the power of the courts to determine the

  constitutionality of laws

• a republican form of government with no hereditary

  ruler

• the division of power between the states and the

  national government

The United States Congress can check the executive

branch of government by

• appointing ambassadors

• overriding vetoes

• nominating judges

• declaring laws unconstitutional

The adoption of the Bill of Rights (1791) addressed

Antifederalist criticism of the new Constitution by

• providing for an indirect method of electing the

  president

• protecting citizens from abuses of power by the

  national government

• allowing the national government to coin money

• establishing a process for impeaching federal

  officials

Which statement most accurately describes federalism?

• The judicial branch of government has more

  power than the other two branches.

• The president and vice preSident divide executive

  power.

• Power is shared between the two houses of

  Congress.

• Power is divided between the national government

  and the states.

Passing marriage and divorce laws, creating vehicle and

traffic regulations, and setting high school graduation

requirements are examples of powers traditionally

• exercised solely by local governments

• reserved to the state governments

• delegated entirely to the federal government

• shared by the national and local governments

Judicial review is most accurately described as the

power of the

• president to override a decision of the Supreme

  Court

• state courts to overturn decisions of the Supreme

  Court

• Senate to approve all presidential appointments to

  federal courts

• Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality

  of laws

Use the example below:
The Constitutional principle of separation of powers divides the government into three equally powerful branches.
Which of the three branches of government includes the President, Vice President, and cabinet members?

• Legislative
• Executive
• Judicial
• Supreme Court

Which of the following best describes the constitutional principle of representative democracy (republicanism)?

• All voters have to represent themselves by voting
• All voters have to vote for the President of the United States
• Representatives are elected by voters, based on their beliefs, to vote on legislation
• Representatives are sent to meet voters and tally their responses on legislation

Which of the following best defines separation of powers?

• Having a three branch government that consists of a legislative branch, a judicial branch, and an executive branch
• Having an United States Constitution and state constitutions for each state
• Having a series of courts which ultimately answer to United States Supreme Court 
• Having an United States Constitution with laws and a Bill of Rights for individuals

What is the Supreme Law of the land?

• The Articles of Confederation
• The Supreme Court
• The Constitution
• The Bill of Rights