Name ____________________________    Date ______________

Chapter 5: Study Guide

 Section 3: The Supreme Law of the Land

Key Vocabulary:

Define the word and explain its meaning in your own words.

Veto:

Delegated Powers:

Amendments:

Federalism:

Concurrent Powers:

Reserved Powers:

Checks and Balances:

Impeach:

Focus:

1)       The Constitution established our form of government as a “Republic.” 

Why is our government considered to be a Republic?

2)       As the “supreme law of the land,” what does the Constitution do?

The Goals of Our Government:

3)      Briefly explain each of the six goals of our government.

a)                 “To form a more perfect union”

b)                “Establish justice”

c)                 “Insure domestic tranquility”

d)                “Provide for the common defense”

e)                 “Promote the general welfare”

f)                  “Secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity”

Article 1: The Legislative Branch

4)                 Article 1 describes the organization and powers of Congress, or the national legislature.  How is Congress divided?

5)                 The most important power of Congress is to make laws. 

How does a bill actually become a law?

6)                 What is “The Elastic Clause” and how do Americans feel about it?

Article 2: The Executive Branch

7)                 The office of the President was very different from any other type of world leader.  What was special about the office of the President?

8)                 According to the Constitution, what was the job of the president?

9)                 The Constitution is far less specific on the office of President than on the national legislature.  Why was this the case?

Article 3: The Judicial Branch

10)            Why did the framers of the Constitution want a national court system?

11)            How did justices/judges get to serve on the Supreme Court?

Article 4: The States

12)            To ensure that the rights of the states are respected, each state must honor the laws of other states.  Why was this decided to be important?

Article 5: Amending the Constitution

13)            The framers knew that future Americans might want to change the Constitution.   How did they ensure that each change reflected the will of the people?

Article 6: The Supremacy of the Constitution

14)            What happens if a state law conflicts with a federal, or national law?

Article 7: Ratification

15)            What did Article 7: Ratification establish?

Amendments to the Constitution

16)            What were the first ten amendments to the Constitution called and why were they added to the Constitution?

Principles of Limited Government

17)            The Constitution is based on the idea of letting the people rule.  What were the three main principles that LIMIT the government’s powers?

Federalism

18)            Explain how “federalism” limited the power of the national government?

Separation of Powers

19)            Explain how “separation of powers” limited the power of the national government?

Checks and Balances

20)            Explain how “checks and balances” limited the power of the national government?

*Possible Essay Question*

Use the chart on page 102 to compare and contrast the powers of the national and state governments.