Constitution and Early Republic Test Review

Preamble

• The introduction to the Bill of Rights.

• The opening paragraph to the Constitution. It starts with the quote 'We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union'.

• A section of the Declaration of Independence.

• The conclusion of the Constitution.

Articles of Confederation

• Created a strong central government to unify the states.

• Created a weak central government because Americans did not want a tyrannical government such as they had under Britain.

• Established a monarchy to ensure stability.

• Allowed states to operate independently without any federal oversight.

Checks and Balances

• Each branch of the government can check the others to ensure no branch has more power than the others.

• Checks and balances refer to the financial audits of government spending.

• Checks and balances are a method to ensure that elections are fair and transparent.

• Checks and balances involve the separation of church and state.

Legislative Branch

• Composed of Congress - House of Representatives and Senate, it makes the laws.

• Responsible for enforcing laws and policies.

• Interprets laws and ensures justice is served.

• Manages the country's finances and budget.

Neutrality Proclamation

• George Washington urged the United States to engage in the war between France and Britain.

• George Washington advised the U.S. to remain neutral and not get involved in the war between France and Britain, as the country was still young and needed to grow in power.

• George Washington encouraged the U.S. to support France in the war against Britain.

• George Washington declared war on Britain to support France.

Precedent

• A legal decision that serves as an example for future cases.

• Something that someone does that others follow or copy.

• A historical event that influences current laws.

• A type of document used in court proceedings.

George Washington

• The first president who set many precedents such as setting up a cabinet and serving only two terms.

• The first president to live in the White House.

• The first president to be impeached.

• The first president who was a general in the Civil War.

Judicial Branch

• The Supreme Court, the highest court in the United States, interprets the laws.

• The President enforces the laws passed by Congress.

• Congress makes the laws for the United States.

• The Vice President oversees the judicial appointments.

Constitution

• Outlines how our government is set up. It is the supreme law of the land.

• A document that lists the rights of citizens.

• A set of rules for conducting elections.

• A declaration of independence from foreign rule.

Federalism

• The national government can declare war and run state parks.

• The state government can coin money and collect taxes.

• The national government can coin money and declare war, while the state government can decide on the school year length and run state parks.

• Both the national and state governments can only collect taxes.