Foundations of American Government Principles and Their Impact on Democracy

The video tutorial explores the U.S. Constitution, highlighting its ratification and key principles such as popular sovereignty, republicanism, limited government, federalism, and individual rights. It explains how power is derived from the people, the importance of electing representatives, the checks and balances system, the division of powers between national and state governments, and the protection of individual rights.

What does the principle of Popular Sovereignty imply?

• Power is derived from a monarch.

• Power is derived from the people.

• Power is derived from the military.

• Power is derived from the judiciary.

What is the main idea behind Republicanism?

• People directly make all government decisions.

• Representatives are elected to make decisions on behalf of the people.

• A single ruler makes all government decisions.

• Decisions are made by a council of elders.

Who were initially allowed to vote in the early United States?

• Only military personnel.

• Only women.

• Only white, landowning men.

• All citizens regardless of race or gender.

What is the purpose of the separation of powers in the U.S. government?

• To allow the President to control all branches.

• To divide responsibilities among different branches.

• To ensure one branch becomes more powerful than the others.

• To eliminate the need for a judicial system.

Which branch of government is responsible for interpreting laws?

• Military

• Judicial

• Executive

• Legislative

What is Federalism?

• A system where power is centralized in the national government.

• A system where power is held by local governments only.

• A system where power is divided between national and state governments.

• A system where states have more power than the national government.

Which of the following is an enumerated power of the national government?

• Conducting elections

• Creating local governments

• Regulating trade between states

• Establishing schools

What are concurrent powers?

• Powers held by local governments only.

• Powers exclusive to state governments.

• Powers exclusive to the national government.

• Powers shared by the national and state governments.

Which document lists many of the individual rights protected by the U.S. government?

• The Articles of Confederation

• The Bill of Rights

• The Federalist Papers

• The Declaration of Independence

Which of the following is a right protected by the Bill of Rights?

• The right to own property

• The right to free healthcare

• The right to freedom of speech

• The right to vote