Explaining the Constitution

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Practice Explaining the Constitution Answer the following questions about the United States Constitution. (6 points) 1. What are the three branches of American government? For each, write a sentence explaining what that branch of government does. Answer: Legislative – The legislative branch is composed of two parts: the Senate and the House of Representative. This branch creates the laws Executive – The executive branch is composed of the Cabinet members, the President, and the Vice President. This Branch finalizes the laws. Judicial – The judicial branch is composed of the court system and it evaluates the laws. (15 points) 2. There are five principles in the U.S. Constitution. For each, give an example of a place in the Constitution where this principle is expressed. Answer: Popular Sovereignty – This principle is expressed through the right for citizens to vote. Limited Government – An example of this principle would be that the government must give you a jury trial. Separation of Powers - An example of this principle would be the three branches of American government which are: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Checks and Balances – An example of this principle would be the president vetoing a bill sent from congress. Federalism – Power is balanced between the federal government and state governments. (9 points) 3. Why did the Framers of the Constitution create a mechanism for amending the Constitution but then make it very difficult to actually make any changes? Answer: They knew that people would change along with the constitution so in order for it to be successful it had to mirror what was actually happening. As a result they made the process difficult so that common interest would not affect the constitution.
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