The Constitution and Government

Review: History

1. Who lived in America before the Europeans arrived?
2. What did the Declaration of Independence do?
3. What happened at the Constitutional Convention?
4. What did Susan B. Anthony do?
5. What are two rights in the Declaration of Independence?
6. What is one thing Benjamin Franklin is famous for?
7. What territory did the United States buy from France in 1803?
8. Name one problem that led to the Civil War.
9. Who did the United States fight in World War II?
10. Name one war fought by the United States in the 1900s.*

Reading and Civics

The United States government has many parts. Congress makes federal laws. The court interprets the laws. The president signs bills to become laws. The president is also in charge of the Executive branch.

Each part of the government is called a branch. The constitution made 3 branches of government to work together.

Name one branch or part of the government.* –> Congress / the President / the courts

The founding fathers did not want America to have a king. They worried about one part of the government from getting too much power.

So, congress has some powers over the president. The president has some power over congress. The court has some power over the president and congress. Congress and the president also have some power over the court.

This separation of power is supposed to keep things balanced. We sometimes call these rules checks and balances.

What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful? –> Checks and Balances

Another balance of power is between the federal government and state governments.

When we say federal government, it means the national government of all 50 states and territories.

Only the federal government can do some special things, like:

• Print money
• Declare war
• Make treaties

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government? –> print money

On the other hand, only state governments have these powers:

• Give a driver license
• Provide education
• Provide police and safety

Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states? –> give a driver license

1. What is the “rule of law”?
2. How many amendments does the Constitution have?
3. What is an amendment?
4. What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
5. What is one right or freedom from the First Amendment?*
6. What is freedom of religion?
7. What are two rights of everyone living in the United States?
8. Name one branch or part of the government.*
9. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the federal government. What is one power of the federal government?
10. Under our Constitution, some powers belong to the states. What is one power of the states?
11. What stops one branch of government from becoming too powerful?