U.S. Government Exam Review & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | American Government Practice Questions
What is the purpose of government? Protect, maintain public order, resolve social conflicts, responsibility for a stable
economy, and provide public services.
Limited Government A system in which government's powers are restricted and individuals' rights are
protected.
Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson, Declares Independence, List of complaints against
Britain,expresses enduring beliefs of American society. Defines liberty, order,
equality, democracy, and justice.
John Locke Enlightenment philosopher who wrote the "Second Treasties of Government",
greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence. Principles:Natural Rights and
Consent of The Governed.
Surpremacy Clause and changes Created to keep elastic clause from being stretched, and to restrict governmental
powers. Overlooked during McCulloch VS. Maryland case. During the civil war,
supremacy clause guaranteed that the union could not be dissolved.
Unitary System A form of government in which all powers of the government are held by a single
unit or agency.
Federal System A form of government in which governmental powers are divided between a central
authority and a number of regional political subdivisions.
Confederacy A political system in which a weak central government has limited authority, and the
states have all of the power.
Socialism The economic system that advocates government ownership of the means of
products.
Capitalism An economic system characterized by open competition in a free market and based
on private ownership.
Communism A system of government in which the state controls the means of production.
Parlimentary Government A form of government in which the executive leaders are chosen by and responsible
to the legislature.
Presidential Government A form of government in which the legeslative and executive brances are seperate
and function independently.
Democracy A sytem of government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected
representatives.
Direct Democracy A democratic system of government in which all citizens participate in politics and
desicion-making.
, U.S. Government Exam Review & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | American Government Practice Questions
Representative Democracy A democratic system of government in which policies are made by officials
accountable to the people who elected them.
Dictatorship A form of government in which an absolute ruler controls the power, often through
fear or force, and ignores the will of the people.
Monarchy A government in which the ruler's power is hereditary.
Popular Sovereignty The fundemental principle that the power to govern belongs to the people and that
the government must be based on the consent of the governed.
Second Treasties of Government Written by John Locke, and expresses enlightenment philosophy and the principles
of the consent of the governed and natural rights.
Checks and Balances A system in which the political power is divided among the three branches of
government, each having some control over the others.
Preamble Lists the six goals of government: form a more perfect union, establish justice,
ensure domestic peace, provide for common defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure liberty.
First Amendment Freedom of speech and press including pure speech, speech plus, symbolic
speech, and flag burning.
Second Amendment Right to bear arms
Tenth Amendment Powers of states and people
Fourteenth Amendment Citizenship and Civil Rights
Fifthteenth Amendment Right to Vote
Seventeenth Amendment Direct election of senators
Nineteenth Amendment Women's sufferage
Twenty-First Amendment Repeal of prohibition
What is the purpose of government? Protect, maintain public order, resolve social conflicts, responsibility for a stable
economy, and provide public services.
Limited Government A system in which government's powers are restricted and individuals' rights are
protected.
Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson, Declares Independence, List of complaints against
Britain,expresses enduring beliefs of American society. Defines liberty, order,
equality, democracy, and justice.
John Locke Enlightenment philosopher who wrote the "Second Treasties of Government",
greatly influenced the Declaration of Independence. Principles:Natural Rights and
Consent of The Governed.
Surpremacy Clause and changes Created to keep elastic clause from being stretched, and to restrict governmental
powers. Overlooked during McCulloch VS. Maryland case. During the civil war,
supremacy clause guaranteed that the union could not be dissolved.
Unitary System A form of government in which all powers of the government are held by a single
unit or agency.
Federal System A form of government in which governmental powers are divided between a central
authority and a number of regional political subdivisions.
Confederacy A political system in which a weak central government has limited authority, and the
states have all of the power.
Socialism The economic system that advocates government ownership of the means of
products.
Capitalism An economic system characterized by open competition in a free market and based
on private ownership.
Communism A system of government in which the state controls the means of production.
Parlimentary Government A form of government in which the executive leaders are chosen by and responsible
to the legislature.
Presidential Government A form of government in which the legeslative and executive brances are seperate
and function independently.
Democracy A sytem of government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected
representatives.
Direct Democracy A democratic system of government in which all citizens participate in politics and
desicion-making.
, U.S. Government Exam Review & Study Guide - 2026-2027 | American Government Practice Questions
Representative Democracy A democratic system of government in which policies are made by officials
accountable to the people who elected them.
Dictatorship A form of government in which an absolute ruler controls the power, often through
fear or force, and ignores the will of the people.
Monarchy A government in which the ruler's power is hereditary.
Popular Sovereignty The fundemental principle that the power to govern belongs to the people and that
the government must be based on the consent of the governed.
Second Treasties of Government Written by John Locke, and expresses enlightenment philosophy and the principles
of the consent of the governed and natural rights.
Checks and Balances A system in which the political power is divided among the three branches of
government, each having some control over the others.
Preamble Lists the six goals of government: form a more perfect union, establish justice,
ensure domestic peace, provide for common defense, promote the general welfare,
and secure liberty.
First Amendment Freedom of speech and press including pure speech, speech plus, symbolic
speech, and flag burning.
Second Amendment Right to bear arms
Tenth Amendment Powers of states and people
Fourteenth Amendment Citizenship and Civil Rights
Fifthteenth Amendment Right to Vote
Seventeenth Amendment Direct election of senators
Nineteenth Amendment Women's sufferage
Twenty-First Amendment Repeal of prohibition
