American Democracy

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40 Terms

1

What are the three branches of government?

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

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2

What system prevents one branch of government from becoming too powerful?

Checks and balances

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3

What was the first form of government in the U.S.?

Articles of Confederation

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4

What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

The federal government could not tax or enforce laws

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5

What document announced the colonies' independence from Britain?

The Declaration of Independence

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6

Who is known as the 'Father of the Constitution'?

James Madison

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7

What is the principle that divides power between the national and state governments?

Federalism

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8

What did the Anti-Federalists want added to the Constitution?

The Bill of Rights

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9

What type of democracy does the U.S. have?

Representative democracy (or republic)

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10

What is popular sovereignty?

The idea that government power comes from the people

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11

What is an oligarchy?

A government ruled by a small group of people

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12

Why was the Constitution created?

To replace the Articles of Confederation and create a stronger federal government

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13

How old must you be to vote in the U.S.?

18 years old

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14

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Thomas Jefferson

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15

What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

To protect individual freedoms from government power

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16

What are interest groups?

Organizations that try to influence government policy

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17

Which branch of government makes the laws?

Legislative Branch

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18

What type of democracy does the U.S. have?

A representative democracy (or republic), where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf.

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19

What is the highest law in the U.S.?

The U.S. Constitution

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20

Why did the Founding Fathers create checks and balances?

To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

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21

What philosopher is most associated with the idea of the Social Contract?

John Locke

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22

How does the impeachment process demonstrate checks and balances?

It allows Congress to remove a president or judge for misconduct, limiting executive and judicial power.

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23

What is an example of separation of powers in action?

Congress makes laws, the president enforces them, and the Supreme Court interprets them.

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24

Why is the rule of law essential in a democracy?

It ensures that all people, including government officials, are subject to the law.

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25

What are the two types of due process?

Procedural due process (fair legal procedures) and substantive due process (laws must be fair and reasonable).

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26

What landmark Supreme Court case reinforced the idea of 'equality under the law'?

Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – ended racial segregation in schools.

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27

How does popular sovereignty appear in the U.S. Constitution?

The Preamble states, 'We the People,' showing that power comes from the citizens.

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28

How do natural rights differ from legal rights?

Natural rights (life, liberty, property) exist inherently, while legal rights are granted by governments.

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29

What is an example of federalism in action?

States control education policies, while the federal government regulates interstate commerce.

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30

How does the U.S. Constitution protect individual liberty?

The Bill of Rights guarantees freedoms like speech, religion, and due process.

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31

Why is the U.S. government considered a republic?

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

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32

What does constitutionalism ensure?

That government power is limited by a written constitution.

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33

What is an example of majority rule in U.S. government?

Laws are passed if more than half of Congress votes in favor.

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34

What is an example of how minority rights are protected?

The Supreme Court can strike down laws that discriminate against minorities.

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35

How does the Equal Protection Clause impact U.S. laws?

It requires that laws apply equally to all citizens, preventing discrimination.

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36

How does the Bill of Rights protect people from government overreach?

It limits government power by guaranteeing specific individual rights.

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37

What does the 24th Amendment do in relation to elections?

It bans poll taxes, making voting more accessible.

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38

What is the purpose of the Electoral College?

It formally selects the U.S. president based on state voting outcomes.

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39

What voting requirement was eliminated by the Voting Rights Act of 1965?

Literacy tests, which had been used to prevent Black Americans from voting.

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40

Why is voter turnout important in a representative democracy?

It ensures that elected officials truly reflect the will of the people.

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