2024/2025 Federalism and the U.S. Constitution Quiz

Which phrase describes the system of federalism established by the United States Constitution?

• The restriction of the government to exercise only powers granted to it by the people

• The ability of one branch of government to restrain to powers of the other branches

• The distribution of powers among independent branches of government

• The division of powers between the National Government and the States

Checks and Balances are a key element of government in the United States. Identify how the branches shown in the chart check each other. Select the correct letter for each blank box. Place the letter in the box. DO NOT circle letter choices.

• Declares laws unconstitutional

• Issues Pardons

• Create lower courts

• Override vetoes

• Convene both houses of Congress

Separation of powers is a defining principle of the U.S. government. Identify some of the powers reserved for the judicial branch of the U.S. government. Circle 3 choices.

• Interpret Laws

• Declare War

• Make Taxes

• Sentence Offenders

• Establish Judicial Procedures.

The Legislative, Executive and Judicial branches of the federal government each have specific powers. Which power belongs to the judicial branch?

• Enforcing Laws

• Interpreting Laws

• Passing Resolutions

• Recognizing Foreign Nations

Which branch or branches of the federal government enforce the laws?

• Judicial

• Executive

• Legislative and Judicial

• Judicial and Executive

Which opinion would be supported by a Federalist?

• Only states should have the ability to tax citizens

• The creation of a presidency will lead to a monarchy

• More powers should be given to the national government

• A bill of rights should be created to protect the rights of people

The U.S. Constitution created a system of dynamic interaction among the three branches of federal government. Move the branches of government into the boxes on the left side of the chart to identify which branch performs the checks and balances shown on the right side of the chart. You may use each branch more than once.

• A) Legislative

• B) Executive

• C) Judicial

Use your knowledge of Federalism to identify the powers of each level of government. Move each power into the correct category by placing the letter next to the power into the correct box.

• Federal Government

• State Government

The Preamble to the U.S. Constitution introduces one of the basic principles of government in the United States. An excerpt from the Constitution is shown below. Which basic principle of government is introduced in the Preamble?

• Federalism

• Limited Government

• Popular Sovereignty

• Checks and Balances

An excerpt from the debate over the ratification is shown. What viewpoint does this excerpt demonstrate?

• The Federalist viewpoint that the federal law should be supreme to state law when they conflict

• The Federalist viewpoint that the Constitution will address the weaknesses of the prior system of government

• The Anti-Federalist viewpoint that a powerful national government poses a threat to the civil liberties of individual citizens

• The Anti-Federalist viewpoint that the Constitution should grant state governments the power to overturn laws at the national level