Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Government Vocab
US Government terms and definitions.
| Question | Term |
|---|---|
| What is the term for a written plan of government containing the basic laws of a nation? | A constitution. |
| What is the term for a government that has elected representatives act for the people? | A republic. |
| What is the term for the sharing of power between national and state governments? | Federalism. |
| What is the term for an addition or change to a document? | An amendment. |
| What is the term for a settlement of a dispute where each side gives up some demands to arrive at and agreement? | A compromise. |
| What is the term for a legislature that consists of two parts? | Bicameral. |
| What is the term for when each branch of government has power over the others which keeps any one branch from having more power than the others? | Checks & balances. |
| What is the term for powers given to state government? | Reserved. |
| What is the term for a proposal of a law? | A bill. |
| What word means to approve or accept a law? | Ratify. |
| What term means to charge a public official with a crime? | Impeach. |
| What is the term for powers that both the state and federal governments have? | Concurrent. |
| What is the term for land that is part of a country but not a state? | A territory? |
| What term means to reject, as in a bill passed by congress? | Veto. |
| What is the word for a loose organization or league of states? | A confederation. |
| What is the term for dividing government into branches each with defined duties? | Separation of power. |
| What is the term for hen there are increased prices for goods and services combined with a reduced value of money? | Inflation. |
| How do citizens pay for services that governments provide? | Taxes. |
| What is the term for a severely decreased economic activity and increased unemployment? | A depression. |
| What was the name of the constitution of the first national government of the United States? | Articles of Confederation. |
| Why did the articles of Confederation not have a chief executive and limit the Confederation Congresses' power? | To prevent a strong national government by keeping power in the state governments. |
| What law created plan for dividing and selling land in the Northwest Territory? | Land Ordinance of 1785 |
| What were the two land divisions created by the land ordinance of 1785? | Townships and sections. |
| What law organized government for the Northwest Territory and created a plan for territories to become states? | Northwest Ordinance of 1787. |
| Identify three of four economic problems the U.S. had during Confederation years? | Repaying Revolutionary War debt, Inability to regulate trade and tax, Inflation & Economic depression. |
| Why was the Confederation Congress unable to solve the country's economic problems? | It lacked power to tax and regulate money. |
| Why did Shay's Rebellion in 1786 lead to the formation of the U.S. Constitution? | It showed people the Confederation government was too weak & needed to be changed. |
| What was the name of the May 1787 meeting held in Philadelphia to make changes to the Articles of Confederation that resulted in a new constitution being written? | Constitutional Convention. |
| Who was the leader of the Constitutional Convention? | George Washington. |
| Who is known as the "Father of the U.S. Constitution" because he took notes at the Convention and his ideas of government were incorporated into the Constitution? | James Madison. |
| Why did the New Jersey plan favor small states? | Each state would have vote in legislature. |
| Why did the Virginia plan favor larger states? | Representation was based on population |
| What compromise at the Constitutional Convention created a Congress where each state has two Senators and state population determines the number of House of Representatives? | The Great Compromise. |
| What was the dispute between northern and southern states about counting slaves for representation in congress? | Southerners wanted slaves to count toward state population, Northerners did not. |
| What compromise at the Constitutional Convention settled the issue of counting slaves for representation in Congress? | Three-Fifths Compromise. |
| What compromise at the Constitutional Convention was made regarding importing new slaves? | Slave importation continued for 20 years until 1807. |
| How were John Locke's Enlightenment ideas of protecting people's natural rights incorporated into the constitution? | The Constitution specified state's power. |
| Why were some people, known as Anti-Federalists, against the new constitution? | The Constitution was too strong and lacked individual rights. |
| What compromise was made to convince people who were against the Constitution to accept it? | Add a bill of rights. |
| Identify the three branches of government and their duties. | Legislature-makes laws Executive-carries out and enforces laws Judicial-settles disputes about laws and people who break laws |
| What determines the number of House Representatives each state has? | State population. |
| How often are representatives in the House reset to ensure fair representation for each state's population? | Every ten years with the census. |
| How many U.S. Senators does each state have? | Two. |
| Which part of Congress has members that served terms of six years? | The House of Representatives. |
| What is the name of the group chosen by voters in each state who elect the president and vice president? | The Electoral College. |
| How many executive departments does the president oversee to help carry out laws? | Fifteen. |
| What fraction of representatives is required to override a veto in Congress? | Two/Thirds. |
| What are the three levels of courts in the federal government? | District, Appeal, & Supreme. |
| What branch of government determines how tax dollars are spent? | Legislature. |
| What branch of government has the power to propose amendments to the Constitution? | Legislature. |
| What branch of government has the power to approve treaties and declare war? | Legislature. |
| What branch of government has the power declare actions of the the other branches unconstitutional? | Judicial. |
| What branch of government has the power to veto bills? | Executive. |
| What branch of government has the power to impeach the president? | Legislature. |
| What branch of government has the power to override vetoes? | Legislature. |
| What branch of government has the power to appoint federal judges, ambassadors, and cabinet members? | Executive. |
| Why is the U.S. Constitution considered the "Supreme Law of the Land"? | No other laws or people may go against the constitution. |
| What is the name of the Legislature at the federal level? | Congress. |
| What is the title of the chief of the executive branch in the federal government? | President. |
| What are the requirements to be a U.S. President? | 35 years old, Native born. |
| A two-thirds vote in each part of Congress and a national convention requested by two-thirds of the states are the two ways to do what? | Propose and Amendment. |
| What fraction of states must ratify a proposal to change the constitutions for it to become a law? | 3/4's of U.S. states. |
| What is the title of the Chief Executive of Ohio? | Ohio Governor. |
| What is the name of Ohio's Legislature? | General Assembly. |
| What are the two parts of Ohio's General Assembly? | House & Senate |
| What level of government controls foreign and interstate trade? | Federal. |
| Which level of government maintains armed forces? | Federal. |
| Which level of government establishes and maintains schools? | State. |
| Which level of government collect taxes? | Concurrent. |
| Which level of government declares war and makes treaties? | Federal. |
| Which level of government makes marriage and divorce laws? | State. |
| Which level of government coins and prints money? | Federal. |
| Which level of Government establishes police forces to protect public safety? | State. |
Created by:
Student 114278
Popular American Government sets