Civics Unit 2:The Constitution

The preamble begins with “We the People of the United States,” which establishes the idea of

• popular sovereignty.

• judicial review

• checks and balances.

• separation of powers.

Why were the Articles of Confederation replaced with the Constitution?

• The Articles of Confederation did not give strong power to the federal government.

• The Articles of Confederation did not create a governmental structure for the states.

• The Articles of Confederation did not provide powers for strong individual state governments

• The Articles of Confederation did not allow the federal government to deal with foreign countries.

When the Supreme Court makes a ruling on a case that serves to interpret a law passed by Congress, it is an example of

• presidential veto

• popular sovereignty.

• checks and balances.

• habeas corpus.

Read the excerpt from the preamble to the Constitution.

Insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare.

According to the excerpt, the responsibility of government is to

• create and maintain a system that exists to serve state governments.

• set up an operating a system that eliminates the need for a strong federal government.

• preserve and enforce internal law and order.

• maintain internal peace, and support citizens and protect them from foreign threats.

To which branch of government does the power to interpret laws and apply the Constitution to the law belong?

• federal

• executive

• judicial

• legislative

How does a writ of habeas corpus safeguard individual freedom?

• by stopping arrest and detention

• by allowing the accused to request a trial by jury

• by providing a defense for committing a crime

• by providing a way to avoid sentencing at trial

The purpose of the preamble of the Constitution is to

• establish and maintain the sovereignty of individual states.

• describe and enforce the powers of the confederation government.

• introduce and explain the core ideas of the government’s important principles.

• define and distinguish the roles of domestic and foreign policies.

The Constitution regulates government powers by

• providing guides and limits to the government’s power.

• providing an undivided government power structure.

• providing a weakened central government structure.

• providing a majority of power to state governments.

Why might balancing federal and state powers present a problem?

• he Constitution does not address how to handle conflicts between state and federal powers.

• People have different opinions on whether state or federal government should have power to control certain issues.

• The federal government does not believe states are responsible enough for concurrent powers.

• The balance applies only to implied powers, which are often open to misinterpretation.

What is the best definition of federalism?

• a government in which power is given to Congress directly

• a government in which power is under the control of the states

• a government in which power is divided between state and national levels

• a government in which powers are directly stated in the Constitution