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 a supporter of federalism 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 form of government where power is divided between a national and state governments

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

• 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."

"We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ...and secure the blessings of liberty ... do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America." --Preamble to the U.S. Constitution

This excerpt is an example of the constitutional principle that people

• have a right to a public trial by a jury of their peers

• are guaranteed to receive an adequate standard of living

• have the right to freedom of religion

• are the main source of government's political power

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.

"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 and 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 to the President than the national legislature

• the federal government would control the lives of its citizens

Which headline reflects the Constitutional principle of checks and balances?

• "Legislative Branch Rejects Executive Branch's Choice of Supreme Court Justice"

• "Ohio's Loses Electoral Vote Due to Population Decline"

• "Toledo Gets $4 Million From Congress to Build a New Highway"

• "Ohio Rejects Federal Regulation on Drug Testing"

"Under our system of government, the national government has no powers other than those specifically granted to it in the U.S. Constitution."

Which principle in the U.S. Constitution does the statement above refer to?

• Checks and balances

• Limited government

• Popular sovereignty

• Separation of Powers