Government Final Exam Review
Dec 26, 2015
Basic Principles of the U.S. Constitution
Popular Sovereignty The power of government comes from the people and can govern only by the
consent of the people
Limited Government The federal government only has the power given to it by the Constitution
Separation of Powers The powers make, enforce and interpret laws are divided into three separate
branches
Checks and Balances Each branch of government has power to check the power of the other two
branches
Judicial Review The federal courts can review acts of the federal and state governments and cancel
acts that are unconstitutional
Federalism Power is shared between the national government and the state governments
Congress Chart
House of Reps. Senate
Basis of representation
population 2 each state
# of members 435 100
Length of term 2 years 6 years1/3 are elected every
2 years
Age requirement 25 30
Citizenship requirement
7 years 9 years
Unique powers Initiate revenue billsImpeachment
Select president if no candidate win a majority of the
electoral college
Approve presidential
appointmentsApprove treaties by
a 2/3 majorityImpeachment trial
The U.S Constitution
Preamble- lists the goals of the gov. Article I- Legislative branch Article II- Executive Branch Article III- Judicial Branch Article IV- States Article V- Amendments Article VI- Supremacy of the Constitution Article VII- Ratification
Bill of Rights 1st- Religion, press, speech, assembly, and petition 2nd- right to bear arms 3rd- gov may not require citizens to house soldiers 4th- no unreasonable searches and seizures 5th- no one may deprived of life, liberty, or property
without due process of the law 6th- right to a trial by jury in criminal cases 7th- right to a trial by jury in civil cases 8th- no excessive fines, bail, or punishment 9th- rights not mentioned in the Constitution belong to
the people 10th- powers not given to the national government are
reserved to the states or the people