This document contains a 20-question assignment on foundations of US government. Students are asked to identify important historical documents, details of the Declaration of Independence, the purpose of the Constitutional Convention, the three branches of US government and their roles, and key amendments. They are also asked to define 5 vocabulary words - unalienable, levy, autonomy, indictment, and ratified - and use each in a sentence.
Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government WorksheetPOL215 Ve.docxbudbarber38650
Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
POL/215 Version 4
1
University of Phoenix Material
Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
Complete the chart below by identifying the three branches of government and their entities.
U.S. Constitution
True or False
1. The Tenth Amendment limits the power of states. True or False
2. The Constitution signed in 1787 contained the Bill of Rights. True or False
3. The Constitution created a system of dual sovereignty, meaning the federal government has exclusive power in interstate commerce. True or False
4. The president and vice president are part of the legislative branch. True or False
5. Congress can impose federal mandates, which require the state government to comply with its orders. True or False
Multiple Choice
6. The concept of dual federalism
a. ended about 1980
b. is analogous to the marble cake image of federalism
c. limited state power
d. viewed federal and state power as fixed
7. The Bill of Rights is
a. contained in the Preamble to the Constitution
b. Article I of the original Constitution
c. the first 10 amendments to the Constitution
8. The legislative branch is composed of which of the following:
a. The House of Representatives and Senate
b. The president and vice president
c. The Supreme Court
d. All state constitutions
9. The First Amendment of the Constitution regards which of the following:
a. The right to keep and bear arms
b. The right to trial by jury in civil cases
c. Limiting the power of the federal government
d. Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and to petition
10. The modern-day structure of categorical federal grants-in-aid came into being
a. at the end of World War II
b. in the 1930s
c. soon after the Civil War
d. in the mid-1960s
Short Answer
Respond to each question in 75 to 100 words.
11. What are some of the historical events that shaped the formation of the U.S. federal government? Select one event you think had a major effect on the federal government. How does this event affect U.S. citizens today?
12. Who were some of the early philosophical contributors to U.S. government? How did their ideas help shape the current government of the United States?
13. Describe the historical role of the Supreme Court in federalism cases and the direction it has taken since 1990.
14. What is the main function of the legislative branch? What role does the executive branch play in the formation of laws? Summarize how these two branches work together.
15. What is the role of the judicial branch? Who elects members of this branch? Briefly describe the judicial process.
Short Essay
16. In 250 to 300 words, define federalism and summarize its role relative to the current U.S. political climate.
3.
9.
8.
2.
7.
6.
5.
4.
.
From Americas Democratic Republic book Chapters 1 & 2 & 3 Be.docxericbrooks84875
From America's Democratic Republic book Chapters 1 & 2 & 3 :
Be able to define and briefly discuss the significance of the following terms as per lecture & assigned readings:
• Government
• Politics
• Social Contract Theory
• Declaration of Independence
• Tyranny
• Popular sovereignty
• Political equality
• Political liberty
• Inalienable (natural) rights
• Limited government
• Democratic Republic
• Direct Democracy
• Shay’s Rebellion
• Confederation
• Articles of Confederation
• Electoral College
• Supremacy Clause
• Elastic (“necessary & proper”) clause
• Bill of Rights
• Separation of Powers
• Bicameral Legislature
• Checks & Balance
• Judicial Review
• Full Faith & Credit Clause
• Extradition
• Privileges & Immunities Clause
• Federalism
• 10th Amendment
• Reserved powers
• Delegated powers
• Devolution
• Categorical grants
• Block grants
• Unfunded mandate
• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
• Great Society Programs (LBJ)
• The New Deal (FDR)
• Civil War
• Hurricane Katrina
• Medical Marijuana
Questions:
1. According to scholars (such as Locke), why is government necessary?
2. What conditions in the country convinced leading citizens that the Articles of
Confederation were not working and a new system of government was needed?
3. What were the “major flaws” in the Articles of Confederation that the delegates
sought to correct with a new constitution?
4. Identify the major challenges facing delegates attending the Constitutional
Convention. How did the delegates resolve these challenges?
5. Identify and briefly discuss the four (4) major compromises reached by delegates
at the Constitutional Convention. Why were such compromises necessary?
6. Why did the Founders create a Democratic Republic instead of a Direct
Democracy?
7. Respond to the claim that the American political system has become more
democratic. Be precise and illustrate with concrete examples.
8. What did the Founders do to guard against tyranny of the majority (the people)?
9. What did the Founders do to guard against tyranny by the elite (those in power)? 10. What did the Founders do to promote popular sovereignty?
11. What did the Founders do to create a document that would be sufficiently flexible
to serve the nation as a blueprint for government during the 21st century? Do you think they succeeded? In other words, do you believe that the U.S. Constitution is still viable?
12. To what goals or ends did the Founders commit the new government? How do you know?
13. The U.S. Constitution has been amended only 27 times. What have been the two (2) major themes of these amendments?
14. According to Charles Beard, the Constitution’s framers were mainly interested in protecting economic rights. Defend or challenge this position.
15. In what ways did the U.S Constitution give support to the institution of slavery? 16. What does the U.S. Cons.
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Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government WorksheetPOL215 Ve.docxbudbarber38650
Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
POL/215 Version 4
1
University of Phoenix Material
Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
Complete the chart below by identifying the three branches of government and their entities.
U.S. Constitution
True or False
1. The Tenth Amendment limits the power of states. True or False
2. The Constitution signed in 1787 contained the Bill of Rights. True or False
3. The Constitution created a system of dual sovereignty, meaning the federal government has exclusive power in interstate commerce. True or False
4. The president and vice president are part of the legislative branch. True or False
5. Congress can impose federal mandates, which require the state government to comply with its orders. True or False
Multiple Choice
6. The concept of dual federalism
a. ended about 1980
b. is analogous to the marble cake image of federalism
c. limited state power
d. viewed federal and state power as fixed
7. The Bill of Rights is
a. contained in the Preamble to the Constitution
b. Article I of the original Constitution
c. the first 10 amendments to the Constitution
8. The legislative branch is composed of which of the following:
a. The House of Representatives and Senate
b. The president and vice president
c. The Supreme Court
d. All state constitutions
9. The First Amendment of the Constitution regards which of the following:
a. The right to keep and bear arms
b. The right to trial by jury in civil cases
c. Limiting the power of the federal government
d. Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and to petition
10. The modern-day structure of categorical federal grants-in-aid came into being
a. at the end of World War II
b. in the 1930s
c. soon after the Civil War
d. in the mid-1960s
Short Answer
Respond to each question in 75 to 100 words.
11. What are some of the historical events that shaped the formation of the U.S. federal government? Select one event you think had a major effect on the federal government. How does this event affect U.S. citizens today?
12. Who were some of the early philosophical contributors to U.S. government? How did their ideas help shape the current government of the United States?
13. Describe the historical role of the Supreme Court in federalism cases and the direction it has taken since 1990.
14. What is the main function of the legislative branch? What role does the executive branch play in the formation of laws? Summarize how these two branches work together.
15. What is the role of the judicial branch? Who elects members of this branch? Briefly describe the judicial process.
Short Essay
16. In 250 to 300 words, define federalism and summarize its role relative to the current U.S. political climate.
3.
9.
8.
2.
7.
6.
5.
4.
.
From Americas Democratic Republic book Chapters 1 & 2 & 3 Be.docxericbrooks84875
From America's Democratic Republic book Chapters 1 & 2 & 3 :
Be able to define and briefly discuss the significance of the following terms as per lecture & assigned readings:
• Government
• Politics
• Social Contract Theory
• Declaration of Independence
• Tyranny
• Popular sovereignty
• Political equality
• Political liberty
• Inalienable (natural) rights
• Limited government
• Democratic Republic
• Direct Democracy
• Shay’s Rebellion
• Confederation
• Articles of Confederation
• Electoral College
• Supremacy Clause
• Elastic (“necessary & proper”) clause
• Bill of Rights
• Separation of Powers
• Bicameral Legislature
• Checks & Balance
• Judicial Review
• Full Faith & Credit Clause
• Extradition
• Privileges & Immunities Clause
• Federalism
• 10th Amendment
• Reserved powers
• Delegated powers
• Devolution
• Categorical grants
• Block grants
• Unfunded mandate
• McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)
• Great Society Programs (LBJ)
• The New Deal (FDR)
• Civil War
• Hurricane Katrina
• Medical Marijuana
Questions:
1. According to scholars (such as Locke), why is government necessary?
2. What conditions in the country convinced leading citizens that the Articles of
Confederation were not working and a new system of government was needed?
3. What were the “major flaws” in the Articles of Confederation that the delegates
sought to correct with a new constitution?
4. Identify the major challenges facing delegates attending the Constitutional
Convention. How did the delegates resolve these challenges?
5. Identify and briefly discuss the four (4) major compromises reached by delegates
at the Constitutional Convention. Why were such compromises necessary?
6. Why did the Founders create a Democratic Republic instead of a Direct
Democracy?
7. Respond to the claim that the American political system has become more
democratic. Be precise and illustrate with concrete examples.
8. What did the Founders do to guard against tyranny of the majority (the people)?
9. What did the Founders do to guard against tyranny by the elite (those in power)? 10. What did the Founders do to promote popular sovereignty?
11. What did the Founders do to create a document that would be sufficiently flexible
to serve the nation as a blueprint for government during the 21st century? Do you think they succeeded? In other words, do you believe that the U.S. Constitution is still viable?
12. To what goals or ends did the Founders commit the new government? How do you know?
13. The U.S. Constitution has been amended only 27 times. What have been the two (2) major themes of these amendments?
14. According to Charles Beard, the Constitution’s framers were mainly interested in protecting economic rights. Defend or challenge this position.
15. In what ways did the U.S Constitution give support to the institution of slavery? 16. What does the U.S. Cons.
Essay on Creating the Constitution
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1. 3.2 Foundations of US Government Assignment # 12
Name: _____________________________ MOD__________ Due: 15 February 2013
1. With regards to the birth of the United States of America; what are two of history’s most remarkable
documents
2. There are how many parts of the Declaration of Independence? What are they?
3. What was the “Shays’ Rebellion” and what was the outcome?
4. For what original purpose did the Constitutional Convention assemble in the spring of 1787?
5. Who reintroduced an earlier plan now known as “The Great Compromise?
6. What are the three branches of the United States Government and their specific role?
7. Which Article details the duties of the Congress and sets forth requirements to become a senator or
representative?
8. Which Article tells how the Constitution is to be ratified?
9. Which Article describes the president’s power?
10. What document is unique because it directly affects how American citizens live their daily lives?
11. The Right to Bear Arms is which Amendment?
2. 3.2 Foundations of US Government Assignment # 12
12. The Right to a Jury Trail is which Amendment?
13. Punishment for Crimes is which Amendment?
14. How many amendments to the Constitution have been passed since the Bill of Rights?
15. The Declaration of Independence launched the United States with a new vision—a Government
deriving its “…just _____ from the consent of the _______.”
Vocabulary Words:
(Write the definition, and then use the word in a complete sentence.)
16. Unalienable:
17. Levy:
18. Autonomy:
19. Indictment:
20. Ratified: