Basic Principles of the U.S. Government

Which best describes a characteristic of the federal government established by the authors of the U.S. Constitution?

• The powers of the national government are limited.

• The federal courts have less authority than state courts.

• In a conflict, state laws are supreme over federal laws.

• A belief that the government must be all-powerful over the people.

Which would be a supporter of limited government be most likely to favor?

• Putting all governmental power in the hands of one branch of government.

• Eliminating some of the freedoms provided in the U.S. Constitution.

• Removing the list of powers specifically given to the federal government in the U.S. Constitution.

• Creating a federal form of government where power is divided between national and state governments.

Federalism is a term used to define the division of power between the

• President and Vice President

• U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives

• national and state levels of government

• three branches of the federal government

Which statement would be made by a person who supported popular sovereignty in the federal government?

• "The executive power is under the control of the Chief Executive".

• "Government at all levels needs to be doing many more things."

• "The powers of government come from the consent of the governed."

• "We can trust our government not to abuse the rights of individuals."

What makes the government of the United States a federal system?

• The President is selected by the Electoral College.

• National laws must be passed by both houses of Congress.

• Powers are divided between the state and national governments.

• The states are guaranteed a republican form of government.

Which Presidential action is an example of a principle of the U.S. Constitution?

• vetoing a law passed by Congress

• calling a meeting of the cabinet

• ordering the navy to patrol the Persian Gulf

• meeting with a foreign leader.

"There can be no liberty if the same man or the same group has executive, legislative, and judicial control."

Which principle of the U.S. Constitution would the author of this statement be most likely to support?

• Separation of powers

• Checks abd Balances

• Federalism

• Popular Sovereignty

"That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."

This statement from the Declaration of Independence was embodied in the U.S. Constitution by ensuring that

• economic development would be promoted by the federal government.

• the national government would be responsive to the will of the people.

• more authority would be given the President than the national legislature.

• the federal government would control the lives of its citizens.

Which principle of the U.S. Constitution includes the ideas of reserved powers, delegated powers, and concurrent powers?

• popular sovereignty

• checks and balances

• federalism

• separation of powers

This diagram represents a principle of our democratic government.

Identify the principle of the U.S. Constitution represented by the diagram.

• popular sovereignty

• checks and balances

• federalism

• separation of powers