American Government and the US Constitution                 Name ______________________________

 

Fundamental Principles of American Democracy (chart on p. 11)

 

Match the principle of government with its description:

 

            _____ 1.  Rule of Law            

            _____ 2.  Limited Government

            _____ 3.  Consent of the Governed

            _____ 4.  Representative Government           

 

  1. government is not all powerful and may only do what people have given it the power to do
  2. people elect government leaders to make the laws and govern on their behalf
  3. American citizens are the source of all governmental power
  4. all people, including those who govern, are bound by the law

 

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation (chart on p. 41)

 

List one weakness of our first government in each of the following categories:

 

  1. Lack of power and money:

 

  1. Lack of central power:

 

  1. Rules too rigid:

 

Amending the Constitution (chart on p. 85)

 

Describe the following steps in the amendment process.  Use the process on the left.

 

  1. Proposal:

 

  1. Ratification:

 

Checks and Balances (chart on p. 91)

 

  1. List the three branches of government: 

     

      ________________________ _________________________ _________________________   

 

  1. Which branch can veto legislation? 

 

  1. Which branch can declare acts of Congress or the President to be unconstitutional?

 

  1. Which branch must approve people the President appoints for jobs?

 

  1. Which branch can impeach the President, judges, or other public officials?

 

  1. Which branch must approve treaties?

 

Federal and State Powers (chart on p. 92)

 

  1. List 3 enumerated powers (powers that are directly written in the Constitution).

 

 

 

  1. List 3 reserved powers (powers given to the state governments).

 

 

 

  1. List 3 concurrent powers (powers that are shared by the national and state levels).

 

 

 

The First Amendment (chart on p. 99)

 

  1. List the 5 freedoms mentioned in the first amendment.

 

 

Rights of the Accused (chart on p. 104)

 

  1. Which two amendments mention the rights of accused criminals?

 

 

Constitutional Amendments 11-27 (chart on p. 110)

 

  1. Which amendment outlawed slavery?

 

  1. Which amendment allowed women the right to vote?

 

  1. Which amendment defined citizenship?

 

Citizens’ Duties and Responsibilities (chart on p. 122)

 

  1. List 3 duties of US citizens.

 

 

 

  1. List 3 responsibilities of US citizens.

 

 

 

  1. What is the difference between a duty and a responsibility?

 

 

How Can You Volunteer? (chart on p. 129)

 

  1. List 3 ways that you can volunteer in community service activities.