American Democracy

Front: What are the three branches of government?

Back: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

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

Back: Checks and balances

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

Back: Articles of Confederation

Front: What was the main weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Back: The federal government could not tax or enforce laws

Front: What document announced the colonies' independence from Britain?

Back: The Declaration of Independence

Front: Who is known as the "Father of the Constitution"?

Back: James Madison

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

Back: Federalism

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

Back: The Bill of Rights

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

Back: Representative democracy (or republic)

Front: What is popular sovereignty?

Back: The idea that government power comes from the people

Front: What is an oligarchy?

Back: A government ruled by a small group of people

Front: Why was the Constitution created?

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

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

Back: 18 years old

Front: Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?

Back: Thomas Jefferson

Front: What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

Back: To protect individual freedoms from government power

Front: What are interest groups?

Back: Organizations that try to influence government policy

Front: Which branch of government makes the laws?

Back: Legislative Branch

Front: True or False: The U.S. is a direct democracy.

Back: False – It is a representative democracy

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

Back: The U.S. Constitution

Front: Why did the Founding Fathers create checks and balances?

Back: To prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful

• Front: What philosopher is most associated with the idea of the Social Contract?
  Back: John Locke

• Front: How does the impeachment process demonstrate checks and balances?
  Back: It allows Congress to remove a president or judge for misconduct, limiting executive and judicial power.

• Front: What is an example of separation of powers in action?
  Back: Congress makes laws, the president enforces them, and the Supreme Court interprets them.

• Front: Why is the rule of law essential in a democracy?
  Back: It ensures that all people, including government officials, are subject to the law.

• Front: What are the two types of due process?
  Back: Procedural due process (fair legal procedures) and substantive due process (laws must be fair and reasonable).

• Front: What landmark Supreme Court case reinforced the idea of “equality under the law”?
  Back: Brown v. Board of Education (1954) – ended racial segregation in schools.

• Front: How does popular sovereignty appear in the U.S. Constitution?
  Back: The Preamble states, "We the People," showing that power comes from the citizens.

• Front: How do natural rights differ from legal rights?
  Back: Natural rights (life, liberty, property) exist inherently, while legal rights are granted by governments.

• Front: What is an example of federalism in action?
  Back: States control education policies, while the federal government regulates interstate commerce.

• Front: How does the U.S. Constitution protect individual liberty?
  Back: The Bill of Rights guarantees freedoms like speech, religion, and due process.

• Front: Why is the U.S. government considered a republic?
  Back: Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

• Front: What does constitutionalism ensure?
  Back: That government power is limited by a written constitution.

• Front: What is an example of majority rule in U.S. government?
  Back: Laws are passed if more than half of Congress votes in favor.

• Front: What is an example of how minority rights are protected?
  Back: The Supreme Court can strike down laws that discriminate against minorities.

• Front: How does the Equal Protection Clause impact U.S. laws?
  Back: It requires that laws apply equally to all citizens, preventing discrimination.

• Front: How does the Bill of Rights protect people from government overreach?
  Back: It limits government power by guaranteeing specific individual rights.

• Front: What does the 24th Amendment do in relation to elections?
  Back: It bans poll taxes, making voting more accessible.

• Front: What is the purpose of the Electoral College?
  Back: It formally selects the U.S. president based on state voting outcomes.

• Front: What voting requirement was eliminated by the Voting Rights Act of 1965?
  Back: Literacy tests, which had been used to prevent Black Americans from voting.

• Front: Why is voter turnout important in a representative democracy?
  Back: It ensures that elected officials truly reflect the will of the people.