Foundations of the U.S.

Federal Government Worksheet POL/215 Version 4

University of Phoenix Material

Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet
Complete the chart below by identifying the three branches of government and their entities. U.S. Constitution

1.

Legislative

2. Executive

3. Judicial

5. Voters 4. Voters

6. Judges

9. President 7. House of Repsenativ 8. Senate

Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet POL/215 Version 4

True or False

1. The Tenth Amendment limits the power of states. True or False

2. The Constitution signed in 1787 contained the Bill of Rights. True or False

3. The Constitution created a system of dual sovereignty, meaning the

federal government has exclusive power in interstate commerce. True or False

4. The president and vice president are part of the legislative branch. True or

False

5. Congress can impose federal mandates, which require the state

government to comply with its orders. True or False

Multiple Choice

6. The concept of dual federalism

a. ended about 1980 b. is analogous to the marble cake image of federalism c. limited state power d. viewed federal and state power as fixed
7. The Bill of Rights is

a. contained in the Preamble to the Constitution b. Article I of the original Constitution

Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet POL/215 Version 4

c. the first 10 amendments to the Constitution

8. The legislative branch is composed of which of the following:

a. The House of Representatives and Senate b. The president and vice president c. The Supreme Court d. All state constitutions

9. The First Amendment of the Constitution regards which of the following:

a. The right to keep and bear arms b. The right to trial by jury in civil cases c. Limiting the power of the federal government d. Freedom of religion, of speech, of the press, to assemble, and to petition

10. The modern-day structure of categorical federal grants-in-aid came into being

a. at the end of World War II b. in the 1930s c. soon after the Civil War d. in the mid-1960s

Short Answer

Respond to each question in 75 to 100 words.

Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet POL/215 Version 4 11. What are some of the historical events that shaped the formation of the

U.S. federal government? Select one event you think had a major effect on the federal government. How does this event affect U.S. citizens today?

One of the major historical events that shaped the formation of the United States Federal Government was the Shays Rebellion. Started by a group of poor farmers, the Shays Rebellion was sought after to pay taxes and debt, causing the government to review Articles of Confederation and consider a border approach to the unorganized government. This event leads up to the United States Constitution, which is still effective till this day. Under the Constitution Americans are given rights, which dictate their day-to-day activities.

12. Who were some of the early philosophical contributors to U.S.

government? How did their ideas help shape the current government of the United States?

Nicolo Machiavelli (1469-1527): Machiavelli focuses on the monarchy. He describes the virtues that a Prince must have, while noting that some virtues will lead to his destruction while some vices will allow the Prince to survive Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679): Hobbes describes the state as a large person. Each part has a parallel in the human body. As humans created the state, to understand the state one must understand human nature. In the absence of society, everything that a person does is done purely out of self-interest, even when something is done that benefits another. Any theory must be consistent with this overriding self-service. James Harrington (1611-1677) He describes the governments of ancient Israel, Rome, Sparta, and Venice, and those of contemporary nations

13. Describe the historical role of the Supreme Court in federalism cases and the direction it has taken since 1990.

Actions by the Congress and the federal courts have gradually undermined the Tenth Amendment, which reserves to the states all powers not specifically granted to the national government or prohibited to the states. The Supreme Court has sent mixed

Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet POL/215 Version 4

signals on the relevance of the Tenth Amendment. A good example of the Courts fickle federalism involves the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Following forty years of case law that essentially relegated the Tenth Amendment to the basement of federalism, the Court surprisingly ruled in favor of state and local governments in the 1976 case of National League of Cities v. Usery
14. What is the main function of the legislative branch? What role does the executive branch play in the formation of laws? Summarize how these two branches work together.

The Congress is the Legislative Branch. Its main function is to pass laws. It also oversees the execution of these laws, and checks various executive and judicial powers. The Congress is bicameral- it is composed of two houses the House of Representatives and the Senate. The role of the executive branch it to veto or pass the laws that is presented to them before they are sent to the president. If the law does not make it past the executive branch there is a good chance the law will not be passed The way these two work together is they both have to work together to pass laws. The executive branch has to veto or pass laws before the president reviews them, and the congress will focus on passing the laws.

15. What is the role of the judicial branch? Who elects members of this

branch? Briefly describe the judicial process.

The duties of the judicial branch include: Interpreting state laws; Settling legal disputes; Punishing violators of the law; Hearing civil cases; Protecting individual rights granted by the state constitution; Determining the guilt or innocence of those accused of violating the criminal laws of the state; Acting as a check upon the legislative and executive branches of state government. The citizens rather than being appointed elect the state judges. They also run for their office as members of a political party. The primary responsibility of the judicial branch is to interpret and apply the laws, and ensure their constitutionality.

Short Essay

Foundations of the U.S. Federal Government Worksheet POL/215 Version 4 16. In 250 to 300 words, define federalism and summarize its role relative to the current U.S. political climate.