Video Transcript Review - US Government & Constitution Flashcards

A set of practice Q&A flashcards covering key concepts from the notes on US government, the Constitution, federalism, and related historical events.

What was the first written constitution of the United States?

Articles of Confederation.

Which clause makes the Constitution the supreme law of the land and overrides any state laws?

Supremacy Clause.

The expansion of federal power after 1933 occurred in response to which events?

The stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression, and the run on banks of 1933.

Why did the Framers favor separation of powers and federalism?

To prevent the new government from abusing its power.

Who were the Federalists?

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and George Washington; property owners, creditors, and merchants who supported a strong central government.

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

Small farmers, frontiersmen, debtors, and shopkeepers who feared a strong central government.

Which plan created a bicameral Congress with proportional representation in the House and equal representation in the Senate?

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise).

What did the Three-Fifths Compromise establish for counting enslaved people in representation?

Five slaves would count as three free persons for apportioning seats in the House.

Which branch is responsible for interpreting laws and includes the Supreme Court?

Judicial Branch.

Which two institutions oversee the appointment and approval of federal judges?

The Senate and the President.

In a democracy, popular sovereignty is vested in which group?

The people.

What does bicameralism refer to in the U.S. Congress?

The division of Congress into two chambers (House of Representatives and Senate).

What is a direct democracy?

A system in which citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

One of the Preamble’s purposes for government is to promote justice and secure what?

The blessings of liberty.

Which plan proposed representation based on population in large states?

The Virginia Plan.

Which plan proposed equal representation for each state regardless of size?

The New Jersey Plan.

Which agreement blended the Virginia and New Jersey plans to form a bicameral legislature?

The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise).

Which document set forth the authors Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay?

The Federalist Papers.

Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18?

26th Amendment.

Which amendment guaranteed women the right to vote?

19th Amendment.

What did the Stamp Act tax?

Printed materials (paper documents).

What did the Sugar Act tax?

Sugar, molasses, and other commodities.

What did the Tea Act of 1773 do?

Gave a monopoly on tea to the East India Company.

What slogan did colonial protesters use against taxation without representation?

No taxation without representation.

What is the purpose of the Supremacy Clause?

To establish that federal law takes precedence over state laws.

What are the first ten amendments to the Constitution called?

Bill of Rights.

Where did the idea for the U.S. Constitution originate in terms of drafting and debate?

Philadelphia Constitutional Convention (1787).

Which act required printed materials to have a stamp on them and was a source of colonial protest?

Stamp Act (1765).

Which act taxed sugar, molasses, and other goods and preceded the Stamp Act?

Sugar Act (1764).

Which act granted a monopoly on tea to the East India Company?

Tea Act (1773).

Which event demonstrated the weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays’ Rebellion.

What is the term for government power divided between national and state governments?

Federalism.

Which branch has the power to declare war?

The Legislative Branch (Congress).

What is the term for the system that keeps each branch from becoming too powerful by requiring cooperation among branches?

Checks and balances.

What is the term for powers not expressly stated in the Constitution but implied by the expressed powers?

Implied Powers.

What is the term for powers that Congress can exercise because they are necessary to carry out its expressed powers?

Necessary and Proper Clause (Elastic Clause).

Which two plans contributed to the creation of a bicameral Congress by balancing representation?

The Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan (via the Great Compromise).

Who were the major leaders associated with Federalist views supporting a strong central government?

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, George Washington.

Which side favored states’ rights and a weaker central government?

Antifederalists.

What is the significance of the Philadelphia Convention of 1787?

It produced the United States Constitution.

What is the essential distinction between direct democracy and representative democracy?

Direct democracy involves citizens voting on laws directly; representative democracy involves elected officials making decisions.

Which document asserts independence from Britain and outlines the colonies’ grievances?

The Declaration of Independence.

What does the term ‘popular sovereignty’ imply about the source of governmental authority?

That the people are the source of governmental authority.

What does the ‘elastic clause’ enable Congress to do?

Create laws deemed necessary and proper to carry out its powers.

What does the phrase ‘one person, one vote’ describe in political terms?

Political equality.

Which event is associated with colonial protest in 1770s Boston related to taxes?

Boston Massacre.

What is the primary function of the legislative branch?

To make laws.

What is the primary function of the executive branch?

To enforce laws.

What is the primary function of the judicial branch?

To interpret laws.

Which documents constitute the essential founding of the United States, as noted in the notes?

Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

What term describes the agreement that settled representation in the Senate and House of Representatives?

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise).

Which amendment extended the right to vote to all citizens, regardless of race, and later women’s rights were ensured by the 19th Amendment?

15th Amendment (race) and 19th Amendment (women's suffrage).

Which Act taxed printed materials and sparked widespread colonial resistance?

Stamp Act (1765).

What is the term used to describe a government that is formally limited by the rule of law?

Limited government.

What was the purpose of the preamble’s goals such as forming a more perfect union, establishing justice, and securing liberty?

To outline the purposes and aims of the new government.

Which document precedes the Constitution and outlines grievances against the King?

The Declaration of Independence.

Which class generally supported a strong central government and a centralized financial system in the late 18th century?

The Federalists.

Which group feared a strong central government and advocated for states’ rights and a bill of rights protection?

The Anti-Federalists.

What is the term for a two-house legislature known as the House of Representatives and the Senate?

Bicameral Legislature.

Which act led to the plan to levy taxes on tea, paper, and glass within the colonies?

Townshend Acts.

Which document is often cited as laying the foundation for American liberties and limiting the powers of the government?

The Bill of Rights.

What is the term for funds allocated by the government to support unalienable rights and general welfare?

General welfare (as part of the Preamble).

Which amendment changed the method by which U.S. Senators were chosen?

17th Amendment (direct election of Senators).

What event in 1773 involved colonists associating with tea and protest against taxation?

Boston Tea Party.

Which document lists the first ten amendments to the Constitution?

The Bill of Rights.

What is the term for government power shared between national and state governments?

Federalism.

Which principle limits government by requiring that powers be divided among branches?

Separation of Powers.

What term describes the power of the federal government to regulate interstate commerce?

Commerce Clause powers (expressed in Article I, Section 8).

What presidential action can veto legislation and is a key check and balance?

Veto power by the President.

Which amendment guaranteed equal voting rights for all citizens regardless of race?

15th Amendment.

Which amendment guaranteed equal protection under the law?

14th Amendment.

Which event demonstrated colonial unity against British policy through economic boycott and protest?

Nonimportation agreements and boycotts (colonial union).

What is the difference between “expressed powers” and “implied powers”?

Expressed powers are written in the Constitution; implied powers are not written but derived from them.

Which Act taxed tea and solidified colonial grievances that led to theAmerican Revolution?

Tea Act (1773) and related tea protests.

What was the date historically associated with the Philadelphia Convention drafting the Constitution?

1787.

Which branch of government is primarily responsible for interpreting the Constitution and resolving conflicts between federal and state laws?

The Judicial Branch (courts, including the Supreme Court).

What is the term for a plan that gives each state equal representation in the Senate?

Equal representation in the Senate (Connecticut Plan as part of the Great Compromise).

Which document reaffirmed independence and listed grievances against the King, while setting out the idea of natural rights?

The Declaration of Independence.

Which document established the structure of the U.S. government and provided for its powers and duties?

The United States Constitution.

What did the 26th Amendment accomplish in the U.S. voting rights landscape?

Lowered the voting age to 18.

What was one goal of the Framers in designing a federal system that could promote commerce and protect property rights?

To restrain the federal government from infringing on liberties and property rights.

Which amendment provided protections against unreasonable searches and seizures as part of the Bill of Rights?

Fourth Amendment.