Unit 2--The Constitution & Federalism

Review Questions

1. What are the six goals of the U.S. Constitution?

2. What are the six principles of government in the U.S. Constitution?

3. What is popular sovereignty?

4. What is limited government?

5. How does the Constitution create separation of powers?

6. How do checks & balances limit government?

7. Why is judicial review so powerful?

8. Why is federalism still debated?

9. Why did the framers establish ways to amend the Constitution?

10. What are the methods for amending the Constitution?

11. What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?

12. How have the three branches of government applied the Constitution?

13. How have political parties, customs and tradition changed the way government operates?

14. What criticisms have been made about the Constitution?

15. Why did the Framers choose Federalism?

16. Which powers does the Constitution grant to the federal government, and which does it reserve for the states?

17. Which powers are shared by the federal and state governments?

18. Which powers are denied to the federal government, and which are denied to the states?

19. What responsibilities do the federal and state governments have to each other?

20. What role do the courts play in American Federalism?

21. How was power divided in dual federalism?

22. What events caused the expansion of national power?

23. What is new federalism?

24. What is Fiscal Federalism?

25. How are grants and mandates used to influence state governments?

26. What issues most influence American Federalism today?