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What is a government?

A system that conducts policy on behalf of its citizens.

How do governments derive their power?

From the people, as stated in the Declaration of Independence.

What happens when a government fails to protect citizens' rights?

Citizens may create a new government.

What is the difference between government and politics?

Government is the system; politics is the competition to control or influence that system.

What type of government does the United States have?

A Democratic Republic or Representative Democracy.

Define Democracy.

Rule by the many, where the people make every decision for the nation.

What is Federalism?

A system of government with three levels: federal, state, and local, that share responsibilities.

What are the three levels of government in the US?

Federal, state, and local governments.

What is the role of the federal government?

Responsible for the entire country, operating from Washington, DC.

What is the role of state governments?

Responsible for the people in that state, operating from the state capital.

What is the role of local governments?

Responsible for local communities, with the most daily influence on citizens' lives.

What are the main branches of the federal government?

Executive, Legislative, and Judicial.

What is the primary job of the Executive branch?

To enforce laws and oversee the country.

What is the composition of the Legislative branch?

Congress, which includes the Senate and the House of Representatives.

How many members are in the Senate?

100 members, with 2 senators from each state.

What is the age requirement to be a Senator?

30 years of age.

What is the primary job of the Judicial branch?

To interpret laws.

How many justices are on the Supreme Court?

9 justices.

What is the Articles of Confederation?

The first attempt at a national constitution for the United States.

What was a major flaw of the Articles of Confederation?

It required 13 out of 13 votes to amend, making changes difficult.

What powers did the national government have under the Articles of Confederation?

Declare war, make alliances, and coin money.

What powers were denied to the national government under the Articles of Confederation?

Collect taxes, regulate trade, and enforce laws.

What is a constitution?

A formal document that sets up a government and outlines its responsibilities.

What is the significance of the Constitutional Convention?

It produced the current US Constitution, replacing the Articles of Confederation.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

The establishment of a stronger national government with defined powers.

What is the relationship between national and state governments?

They share powers but have distinct responsibilities.

What responsibilities are unique to the federal government?

Declare war, coin money, and regulate interstate trade.

What responsibilities do both federal and state governments share?

Collect taxes and enforce laws.

How many total governments exist in the US?

90,888 governments (1 federal, 50 state, 90,837 local).

What was a strength of the Articles of Confederation regarding foreign relations?

The government was able to make alliances and sign treaties with foreign countries.

What power did the Articles of Confederation grant the government concerning war?

The government could declare war and make peace.

What financial powers did the Articles of Confederation provide?

The government could coin money and borrow funds.

What was a major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The system was weak and ineffective.

What was the government's limitation in collecting taxes under the Articles of Confederation?

The government could not collect taxes and had to ask states for money.

What issue arose from the inability to regulate trade under the Articles of Confederation?

States traded based on their own rules, leading to inconsistencies.

What was the structure of the executive branch under the Articles of Confederation?

There was a very limited executive branch due to fear of tyranny.

What judicial powers were lacking in the Articles of Confederation?

There was no national court system to settle disputes between states.

What was one of the 'good' accomplishments of the government under the Articles of Confederation?

Negotiated the Treaty of Paris in 1783, ending the war with Great Britain.

What legislation established policies for the settlement of western lands?

The Northwest Ordinance.

What was the process for a territory to become a state under the Northwest Ordinance?

A territory needed 60,000 settlers and a provisional state constitution.

What rights were guaranteed in the Bill of Rights?

Rights such as freedom of religion, property rights, and trial by jury.

What was Shays' Rebellion and its significance?

An armed uprising led by Daniel Shays that highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Who were the Federalists?

Those who opposed the Articles of Confederation and supported a strong national government.

Who were the Anti-Federalists?

Those who supported the Articles of Confederation and feared a strong central government.

What is the U.S. Constitution recognized as?

A living document that can be amended to apply to modern times.

What is required to amend the U.S. Constitution?

A two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and three-fourths of state legislatures.

What are the main components of the U.S. Constitution?

The Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments.

What was the outcome of the Constitutional Convention?

The creation of the U.S. Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Where and when did the Constitutional Convention take place?

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, from May 14 to September 17, 1787.

Who were some key figures in the Federalist movement?

Alexander Hamilton, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and James Madison.

What was the significance of the Federalist Papers?

They were written to support the ratification of the Constitution.

What was the main concern of Anti-Federalists regarding the Constitution?

They believed it did not sufficiently protect individual rights.

What was the role of the Articles of Confederation in U.S. history?

It was the first governing document of the United States, from 1777 to 1787.

What was the main purpose of the Constitutional Convention?

To address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a stronger national government.

What was the significance of the Northwest Ordinance?

It established a method for admitting new states and set a precedent for future expansion.

What was a key feature of the Articles of Confederation regarding military support?

The national government could only request states to provide military support.

What is the purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?

To introduce the Constitution and outline its fundamental purposes.

How many articles are in the U.S. Constitution?

Seven articles.

What does Article 1 of the Constitution establish?

The legislative branch.

What does Article 2 of the Constitution establish?

The executive branch.

What does Article 3 of the Constitution establish?

The judicial branch.

How many amendments does the Constitution have as of 2025?

27 amendments.

How many signers were there at the Constitutional Convention in 1787?

39 signers.

Which state did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention?

Rhode Island (RI).

Who were the three dissenting delegates that did not sign the Constitution?

Elbridge Gerry (MA), George Mason (VA), and Edmund Randolph (VA).

What was the main concern of the dissenters regarding the Constitution?

The lack of a specific list of rights that the federal government could not violate.

Name one of the six delegates who signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

Ben Franklin (PA).

What was the purpose of the Constitutional Convention held in 1787?

To address the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and create a new government framework.

Where was the Constitutional Convention held?

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, PA.

What is the significance of the Three-Fifths Compromise?

It determined how enslaved persons would be counted for representation in Congress.

What was the Great Compromise?

It established a bicameral legislature with representation based on population in the House and equal representation in the Senate.

What is the Electoral College?

A system for indirectly electing the President and Vice President based on state populations.

What are the two systems designed to prevent tyranny in the Constitution?

Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances.

What is the role of the Legislative branch?

To create laws.

What is the role of the Executive branch?

To enforce laws.

What is the role of the Judicial branch?

To interpret laws.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

By a two-thirds vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

What is the process for amending the Constitution?

Requires a two-thirds majority vote in both houses of Congress and ratification by three-fourths of the states.

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that guarantee individual rights.

What was the main concern of the Anti-Federalists?

The potential for a strong central government to infringe on individual liberties.

What did the Federalist Papers aim to achieve?

To promote the ratification of the Constitution.

Who were the main contributors to the Federalist Papers?

Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison.

What was the significance of Shays' Rebellion?

It highlighted the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation and the need for a stronger national government.

How many total members are in Congress today?

535 members (435 in the House of Representatives and 100 in the Senate).

What is the number of representatives in the House?

435 representatives.

What is the term length for a Senator?

Six years.

What is the term length for a member of the House of Representatives?

Two years.

What was the main reason for the shift from the Articles of Confederation to the Constitution?

To create a more effective and consistent national government.

Senate Leadership

The Vice President leads the Senate; if unavailable, the President pro tempore leads.

House Member Age Requirement

Members must be at least 25 years old.

House Leadership

Leader is called the Speaker of the House.

President Age Requirement

President must be at least 35 years old.

Presidential Term Length

4-year term, can be elected only twice, max 8 years.

Supreme Court

Leads the Judicial Branch and is the highest federal court.

Supreme Court Term Length

Term is life (or until resignation).

Chief Justice

Leader of the Supreme Court.

What were some of the "newly" admitted states that were established under the Northwest Ordinance?

Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota