American Government Study Guide
1. Define popular sovereignty. (65)
2. Define limited government. (65-66)
3. Jefferson makes some controversial statements for the time in the
Declaration of Independence. List at least 3 of them. (38)
4. List the examples of checks and balances given in the text. (68)
5. Define separation of powers. (66)
6. Define federalism. (88)
7. What is judicial review? When was it first used? How was it used to
end the segregation of schools?
8. What are the voter turn-out rates for Presidential elections compared
to other elections?
9. Where can an individual register to vote? Why do voters need to
register?
10. What is the function of primary elections?
11. What are the characteristics of a Liberal? What are they for a
Conservative?
12. What is the difference between an interest group and a political party?
13. What are the roles of minor parties in American elections? (134)
14. What are some of the limits of free speech?
15. How long are the terms for Representative, Senator, and President?
16. What are the formal requirements to be President. (356-357)
17.
18. Why does Congress create committees?
19. What non-legislative power does the Senate have vis-à-vis the
President.
20. Where do most federal court cases begin? (512)
21. List the 3 reasons the Framers favored a Bicameral Congress. (262263)
22. List the 4 qualifications to be a member of the House, including the
one that is not in the Constitution. (272)
23. A senator’s term is how long? (277)
24. When are congressional election held? (269)
25. List the congressional war powers. (301)
26. What is the function of committees? (329)
27. In the Senate, if one wants to prevent debate or voting on a bill, you
could…? (343)
28. List the constitutional requirements to be President. (356-357)
29. List the first 4 people in presidential succession (not including the
President). (359)
30. Who is president of the Senate? (361)
31. Once the President is presented with a bill, what are his 4 options? (406)
32. Once the president has decided to act militarily, is there anything that
can stop him for at least 60 days? (403)
33. There are 15 Executive Departments. Another word for these
departments is…? (426)
34. What is the purpose of the 10th Amendment? (93)
35. How have we defined the specific due process rights under the 14th
Amendment? (535)
36. List the reasons why America has developed a two-party system. (119121)
37. During the debate over ratification, the Anti-Federalists demanded a
Bill of Rights in order to…..? (57)