Understanding U.S. Government Concepts

What is Democracy?

• A system of government in which power is vested in the people, who rule either directly or through freely elected representatives.

• A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses.

• A fundamental principle of the U.S. government that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

• A body of electors established by the U.S. Constitution.

What is a Bicameral Legislature?

• A system of government in which power is vested in the people.

• A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses.

• A fundamental principle of the U.S. government.

• An organized group of people who share similar political beliefs.

What are Checks and Balances?

• A system of government in which power is vested in the people.

• A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses.

• A fundamental principle of the U.S. government that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

• A body of electors established by the U.S. Constitution.

What is the Electoral College?

• A system of government in which power is vested in the people.

• A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses.

• A body of electors established by the U.S. Constitution, which formally elects the President and Vice President.

• An organized group of people who share similar political beliefs.

What is a Political Party?

• A system of government in which power is vested in the people.

• A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses.

• An organized group of people who share similar political beliefs and work together to influence government policy.

• A procedural tactic used in the Senate.

What is a Filibuster?

• A procedural tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislative action.

• A formal change or addition to the U.S. Constitution.

• The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials.

• The rights of citizens to political and social freedom.

What is a Constitutional Amendment?

• A procedural tactic used in the Senate.

• A formal change or addition to the U.S. Constitution.

• The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials.

• The rights of citizens to political and social freedom.

What is Lobbying?

• The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials.

• A formal change or addition to the U.S. Constitution.

• The rights of citizens to political and social freedom.

• The highest court in the United States.

What are Civil Rights?

• The rights of citizens to political and social freedom and equality.

• A formal change or addition to the U.S. Constitution.

• The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials.

• The highest court in the United States.

What is the Supreme Court?

• The highest court in the United States, which has the ultimate authority in interpreting the Constitution.

• A formal change or addition to the U.S. Constitution.

• The act of attempting to influence the decisions of government officials.

• The rights of citizens to political and social freedom.