Question | Answer |
What is the purpose of a government? (Why do we need rules/laws?) | To protect freedom and to keep order. |
What is democracy? | A government in which people govern themselves through a system of elected representation. Citizens elect the people to represent them. |
What is a majority and what is the opposite of a majority? | Majority means more than half. The opposite is minority, less than half. |
What does due process promise to everyone? | Due process promises that the laws of the land will protect everyone equally…justice for all. |
What is the Bill of Rights? | The first 10 amendments to the Constitution. |
What does the system of checks and balances do? | It keeps any one branch of the government from having too much power. |
What is the executive branch and what does it do? | This branch is headed by the President. He is responsible for proposing/approving/and enforcing laws. He offers “treaties” (agreements) with foreign countries and is “Commander and Chief” of the military. |
What does “veto” mean? | To reject, to stop, to not agree to something |
What is the legislative branch and what does it do? | Congress, which is made up of the Senate and House of Representatives. They write laws, raise money through taxes and loans (from other countries), they approve the printing of money, and declare wars. |
What is the judicial branch and what does it do? | The Supreme Court System. It is made up of a panel of judges. They decide if laws are constitutional, interpret laws and explain them, decide if laws are being followed. |
Why are there LEVELS of government? | Levels of government exist to better represent and manage all citizens no matter where they live…if one government organization had to do all the work, it would be too much work! |
What are the three LEVELS of government in the United States? | The federal government, the state governments (each state has its own governor, etc.), and the local governments (mayors, etc.) |