Name: _______________________________________ #_______ Test Date
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Government Test Review
Our Early Government
Know the following concepts:
 Articles of Confederation Our first central government – this was a weak government and was
replaced by the Constitution.
 Constitutional Convention Meeting held in 1787 in Philadelphia to discuss problems between the 13
states; was attended by representatives of 12 of the 13 existing states.
 Preamble Introduction to the Constitution – outlines the principles set forth in the document.
 Principles ideas – set forth in the Constitution.
 Constitution A plan of government for a country.
 James Madison Known as Father of the Constitution.
 Amendments Additions to the Constitution – allow for flexibility and change.
 Bill of Rights First 10 Amendments to the Constitution.
 Federal System of Government A government where the states and central government share power.
Some powers are given only to the states; some only to the federal government.
Preamble
You should be able to complete the Preamble to the Constitution.
We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union ,
establish justice insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense,
promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and
our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of
America.
Our Government
Know the following concepts:
 3 Branches of Government
 3 Levels of Government
o Executive
o Federal
o Legislative
o State
o Local
o Judicial
 System of Checks and Balances System of government that prevents 3 branches from getting too
much power. The powers of one branch are balanced by the powers of another; each branch can check, or
stop another branch.
 Congress Members of the Legislative branch – made up of the House and Senate; created by combining 2
ideas to fairly represent all states in our government.
 House of Representatives Based on population; benefits states with more people.
 Senate 2 representatives from each state, no matter how big/populated; benefits
smaller states.
 Virginia Plan Set up the 3 branches of government and asked for a congress based
on population. The House of Representatives was based upon the Virginia Plan.
 New Jersey Plan Plan of government which gave all states the same number of
representatives. The Senate was modeled after this plan.
3 Branches of Government
Know key information about each of the Three Branches of Government:
Who
Where
Duties/
Responsibilities
Legislative
Judicial
President
Congress: House and Senate
White House
Capitol Building: Washington
DC
 Passes Laws
 Approves spending
and taxes
Supreme Court and other
federal Justices
Supreme Court
 Enforces laws
 “Commander-In-Chief”
Elected
4 year term
Other Details
Checks &
Balances
(which branch
they check and
how they check
that branch)
Executive
Checks Legislative branch
by:
Signs or vetoes laws
Checks Judicial branch by:
Nominates justices
Essay:
Elected
Senators: 6 year term
Representatives: 2 year term
Checks Executive branch by:
Can override veto and
can charge president with
wrongdoing
Checks Judicial branch by:
Can charge justices with
wrongdoing
 Interprets (explains)
laws
 Members are appointed
for life and are free from
presidential control
Appointed
For life
Checks Executive branch
by:
Can rule whether actions
are constitutional
Checks Legislative branch
by:
Can rule whether laws
passed are constitutional
Be able to explain how the Constitution created an effective government
that has lasted for over 200 years and still works for the United States of
America. Provide at least 3 good reasons in your answer.
It was written to change with the needs of a growing country. Provided Amendments or additions to
change or add to the document. Set up a government for the people, run by the people. System of Checks and
Balances created to prevent one branch of government from getting too powerful.