Principles of American government
Questions and answers
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What is the form of government of the United States?
- Republic
- Constitution-based federal republic
- Representative democracy
The Preamble promises self-government: no king or queen rules the country. The people govern by electing representatives to local, state and U.S. governments, which is what a republic is.
Study guide · We the People ↗ -
What is the supreme law of the land?
- (U.S.) Constitution
The sixth section of the Constitution names it the supreme law of the land, so everyone living in the United States and every level of government must follow it.
Study guide · Supreme Law of the Land ↗ -
Name one thing the U.S. Constitution does.
- Forms the government
- Defines powers of government
- Defines the parts of government
- Protects the rights of the people
Written in 1787, the Constitution creates the three branches of the federal government, lists their powers and, through its amendments, protects the basic rights of the people.
Study guide · The U.S. Constitution ↗ -
The U.S. Constitution starts with the words “We the People.” What does “We the People” mean?
- Self-government
- Popular sovereignty
- Consent of the governed
- People should govern themselves
- (Example of) social contract
The first three words of the Preamble say that power comes from the people themselves, not from a king or queen. The people of the United States govern themselves.
Study guide · We the People ↗ -
How are changes made to the U.S. Constitution?
- Amendments
- The amendment process
The fifth section of the Constitution describes how it can be changed. An amendment becomes part of the Constitution only after three-fourths of the states, 38 of 50 today, approve it.
Study guide · Changing the Constitution ↗ -
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
- (The basic) rights of Americans
- (The basic) rights of people living in the United States
The Constitution of 1787 had no list of individual rights, so the Founders added the first 10 amendments in 1791. Together they are called the Bill of Rights and they name basic rights of people living in the United States.
Study guide · Amendments to the Constitution ↗ -
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
- Twenty-seven (27)
The original Constitution of 1787 had a Preamble and seven sections. Since then it has been amended 27 times, and the amendments are printed after the seven sections.
Study guide · Amendments to the Constitution ↗ -
Why is the Declaration of Independence important?
- It says America is free from British control.
- It says all people are created equal.
- It identifies inherent rights.
- It identifies individual freedoms.
Adopted on July 4, 1776 and written by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration announced that the colonies were independent from Great Britain and that everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Study guide · The Declaration of Independence ↗ -
What founding document said the American colonies were free from Britain?
- Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is a statement of freedom. When the colonists adopted it in 1776, the 13 colonies became the 13 original states of a new country.
Study guide · The Declaration of Independence ↗ -
Name two important ideas from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
- Equality
- Liberty
- Social contract
- Natural rights
- Limited government
- Self-government
The Declaration says everyone has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. The Preamble of the Constitution adds self-government: the people, not a king, rule the country.
Study guide · We the People ↗ -
The words “Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness” are in what founding document?
- Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson put these words in the Declaration of Independence in 1776 to name the rights that belong to everyone.
Study guide · The Declaration of Independence ↗ -
What is the economic system of the United States?
- Capitalism
- Free market economy
The study guide calls it a capitalist or market economy: the government does not run the economy, and people are free to start businesses and earn money.
Study guide · The Great Depression ↗ -
What is the rule of law?
- Everyone must follow the law.
- Leaders must obey the law.
- Government must obey the law.
- No one is above the law.
Under the rule of law nobody stands above the law, not even the president or the government. Federal, state and local governments must all obey the Constitution.
Study guide · Supreme Law of the Land ↗ -
Many documents influenced the U.S. Constitution. Name one.
- Declaration of Independence
- Articles of Confederation
- Federalist Papers
- Anti-Federalist Papers
- Virginia Declaration of Rights
- Fundamental Orders of Connecticut
- Mayflower Compact
- Iroquois Great Law of Peace
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay published the Federalist Papers in newspapers in 1787 and 1788 to persuade the states to approve the new Constitution.
Study guide · The Constitutional Convention ↗ -
There are three branches of government. Why?
- So one part does not become too powerful
- Checks and balances
- Separation of powers
The Founders feared that one person or group with too much power could take over the country, so the Constitution gives different powers to each branch. This is called separation of powers.
Study guide · Separation of Powers ↗