Unit 3 Important Concepts:
 Fundamental Principles
 Founding Documents
 Purposes of the Preamble
 Amendment Process
 Structure of the Federal Government
 Separation of Powers
Important People – Match the person with their description
 System of Checks and Balances
 Federalism
_____ George Mason
_____ Thomas Jefferson
_____ King James I
_____ Continental Congress
_____ John Locke
A.
A group of delegates who wrote the Articles of Confederation and formed the first government for the newly independent states.
B.
Political thinker who wrote that government is better than a state of nature. He also wrote about natural rights – including life, liberty, and property.
C.
He wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which later served as the model for the Bill of Rights.
D.
King of England who wrote a charter guaranteeing the colonists the same rights as Englishmen.
E.
Founding father who wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom and the Declaration of Independence. Later became the 3 rd President of the United States.
Standard CE.2a: Fundamental Principles
1.
Fundamental political principles = Founding ______________________________
2.
Identify the fundamental political principle: a.
This form of government began in Ancient Greece. In this type of government the people rule.
________________________________________________________________________________ b.
A US Senator is caught taking bribes and is arrested. _____________________________________ c.
Federalism, separation of powers, and checks and balances are all examples of this fundamental principle. _________________________________________________________________________ d.
The US Constitution begins with “We the People,” meaning that the power of the government comes from the people. This is an example of which fundamental principle?
________________________________________________________________________________ e.
In November the electorate goes to the polls to elect government officials. This is an example of what fundamental principle? _________________________________________________________

Standard CE.2b: Founding Documents
3.
Match the Founding Document with its description:
_____ Charters of the Virginia Company of London
_____ Virginia Declaration of Rights
_____ Declaration of Independence
_____ Articles of Confederation
_____ Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom
_____ US Constitution & Bill of Rights
A.
Stated grievances against the King of Great Britain, declared the independence of the colonies, affirmed
“unalienable rights,” and established the idea that all people are equal under the law
B.
Stated freedom of religious beliefs and opinions
C.
Established the structure of the US government and guaranteed equality under the law with majority rule and the rights of the minority protected. Affirmed individual worth and dignity of all people and protected fundamental freedoms.
D.
Guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists
E.
Established the first form of national government for the independent states. The central government was very weak and the major powers resided with the states.
F.
Served as a model for the Bill of Rights
Standard CE.2c: The Preamble
4.
The Preamble sets forth the ________________________ and ___________________ of the government.
5.
The Preamble begins with “____________________________________” thereby establishing that the power of the government comes from the ________________________.
6.
List the Purposes of the US Constitution: a.
____________________________________________________ b.
____________________________________________________ c.
____________________________________________________ d.
____________________________________________________ e.
____________________________________________________ f.
____________________________________________________
Standard CE.6a: Structure & Powers of the National Government
7.
The Constitution divides the power of the national government between what three branches? a.
_________________________________________ b.
_________________________________________ c.
_________________________________________

The Legislative Branch
8.
Consists of ______________________, a bicameral legislature consisting of the
___________________________________________ and _________________.
9.
Functions of the Legislative Branch: a.
_____________________ the laws of the nation b.
Approves the annual _______________________ c.
Confirms _____________________________ appointments d.
Raises revenue through __________________ and other levies e.
Regulates interstate and foreign _________________________ f.
Declares ___________________________
The Executive Branch
10.
Headed by the ______________________________ of the United States
11.
Functions of the Executive Branch: a.
______________________ the laws of the land b.
______________________ the annual budget for congressional action c.
______________________ cabinet officers, ambassadors, and federal judges
The Judicial Branch 12.
Consists of the federal courts, including the _________________________, the highest court in the land
13.
The Supreme Court exercises the power of ___________________ review.
14.
The federal courts try cases involving _________________ law and questions involving the interpretation of the US _________________________________.

Standard CE.6b: Separation of Powers & Checks and Balances
15.
Remember – I say “Separation of Powers” – You say “_____________________”
16.
Congress checks the president when legislators: a.
_______________________ presidential vetoes b.
_______________________ and convict a president
17.
Congress checks the courts when legislators: a.
___________________ or _____________________ to confirm federal judges/justices b.
___________________ and convict judges/justices
18.
The president checks Congress when the president: a.
Proposes ____________________________ b.
_________________________ an annual budget for Congress to approve c.
Call special session of _____________________________ d.
____________________ legislation Congress has passes
19.
The president checks the courts when the president: a.
_________________________ judges/justices
20.
The courts check Congress when judges/justices: a.
Declare acts of Congress _______________________________________
21.
The courts check the president when judges/justices: a.
Declare executive actions ______________________________________
Standard CE.7b: Federalism
22.
Remember – I say “Federalism” – You say “_____________________”
23.
Primary Responsibilities of the National
Government: a.
Conduct _________________ policy b.
Regulate ________________ (trade)
24.
Primary Responsibility of the State Government: a.
Promote the public __________________,
_______________ and _______________

c.
Provide for the common ______________
25.
According to the US Constitution, what level of government is supreme? ____________________________
26.
The US Constitution also ______________ certain powers to both the national and state governments.
27.
List 3 Delegated Powers: __________________________________________________________________
28.
List 3 Reserved Powers: __________________________________________________________________
29.
List 3 Concurrent Powers: _________________________________________________________________
30.
True or False: The expansion of the national government’s power into areas traditionally reserved to the states has altered the relationship of states to the national government.
31.
Tensions exist when federal mandates require state actions without adequate _______________________.
Standard CE.2d: The Amendment Process
32.
The constitutions of Virginia and the United States can be amended through a process outlined in the
______________________________________.
33.
The amendment process is _______________________________________.
34.
Amendment Process for the US Constitution: 36.
Amendment Process for the VA Constitution: a.
Proposal by ____________________ or
_________________________ b.
Ratification by the __________________ a.
Proposal by _________________________ or ____________________________ b.
Ratification by _______________________
35.
The US Constitution has been amended ________ times.
37.
The VA Constitution has been rewritten
_____________________ times.