Analyzing the Constitution

What is the purpose of the phrase "establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, and provide for the common defence" in the Preamble?

• To explain that the U.S. Government has a duty to protect its people.

• To show that the people hold all of the political power.

• To claim that the constitution can be changed over time.

• To guarantee that the American people will vote on all new laws.

Which statement best completes the table?

Structure of the federal government

1. There are three branches of government

2. Power is seperated between three branches of the government

3. Each branch can check the power of the other two

4.

• Only the legislative branch is created by the Constitution

• All branches can create laws

• The President is the head of all branches

• All branches have equal power

Which statement is missing in the flow chart?

1.

2.The Amendment gets two-thirds vote in both houses of Congress

3.The Amendment is sent to the states for raTification

4.The Amendment is signed by the President

• The Amendment is reviewed by the Supreme Court

• The Amendment is proposed in Congress

• The Amendment is written by a state legislature

• The Amendment is signed by the President

The U.S. Constitution creates a government with:

• three branches that have roughly equal power

• dozens of small branches that compete for power

• A group of judges who make and enforce all laws

• A powerful President and a weak Congress

What is the purpose of the phrase "We the People of the United States" in the Preamble to the U.S. Constitution.

• To show that the people hold all political power in country

• To show that the government must respect people's natural rights

• To explain that the U.S. government has a duty to protect its people.

• To guarantee that the American people will get to vote on all new laws.

How many branches are there in the federal government?

• 124

• 3

• 10

• 20

A citizen says that the US government does not have the right to defend the country against a foreign attack. Which phrase from the Preamble to the US Constitution rejects that idea?

• establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for common defence.

• secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our posterity.

• do ordain and establish this Constitution for the US of America.

• We the People of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union.