American History: Chapter 8: The Constitution

the belief that government is subject to the will of the people- _____

Answer explanation

The Preamble to the Constitution says "We the People" signifying that the citizens held popular sovereignty over their government.

government with limited powers strictly defined by law- _____

Answer explanation

Not wanting another tyrant, the Founders created a limited government to secure rights of the people and the states.

power specifically given to Congress in the Constitution- _____

Answer explanation

Congress is granted certain enumerated powers in order to function efficiently as a national government. The Articles of Confederation dd not give the national government nearly enough power to function.

power belonging only to the states- _____

Answer explanation

The states did not want to give up power when they switched over to a Federal system- so the Founders made a set of Reserved Powers that the states would be able to exercise within their own borders.

power shared by the states and federal government- _____

Answer explanation

The Founders also believed their was a set of duties that both the states and national governments should share. These concurrent powers include handling taxes, welfare, and criminal justice.

a principle by which powers are divided among different branches of government to make sure so one branch has too much power- _____

Answer explanation

The idea of separation of powers has been a key aspect to American Government that other democracies that has kept one person or group from becoming too powerful.

power not enumerated in the Constitution but suggested in its language- _____

Answer explanation

The "necessary and proper" clause- or "elastic clause"- gives the National government the implied power to do whatever it thinks is necessary and proper. This means that the powers it exercises do not have to be written directly in the Constitution.

power of the court to judge whether or not actions of other branches are constitutional- _____

Answer explanation

The Supreme Court's power of judicial review allows it to observe the actions of the government and determine what is deemed Constitutional or not.

the legal rules and procedures the government must observe before depriving a person of life, liberty, or property- _____

Answer explanation

Anyone who gets in trouble with the authorities has the right to "due process" which calls for a very specific set of steps that need to be taken when prosecuting citizens.

the equal application of the law regardless of a person's race, religion, political beliefs, or other qualities- _____

Answer explanation

The rights that people in America have are meant to guarantee equal protection from the law. We are not allowed to single out any group of people, or individuals just because of their beliefs or practices.