Question 1: Which quote from the Declaration of Independence reflects that colonists' believed the government got its authority from the people?
<u>"That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed."</u>
This quote conveys that government is accountable to people because it is the people who voluntarily create the government to protect their fundamental rights.
Question 2: Which quote from the Declaration of Independence shows that the colonists were influenced by John Locke's idea of natural rights?
<u>"They are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights."</u>
John Locke was a prominent French philosopher whose ideas highly influenced most of the democratic governments as we know them today. One of his most influential ideas was that people were born with certain natural, God-given and inalienable rights such as the right to life, liberty, and property. Similarly, in the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson (the author) stated that people are endowed by their creator with certain unalienable right: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.
Question 3: The legislative branch checks the power of the judicial branch by <u>dissolving federal courts</u>
The only court established in the U.S. Constitution is the Supreme Court. However, this document gives Congress the power to "ordain and establish" tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court, consequently, though the years Congress has passed legislation establishing federal inferior courts, and he also has the power to dissolve them by repealing the original legislation.
Question 4: Below are some of the powers of the legislative branch:
These are some of the powers of the legislative branch, can impeach and remove the president, creates lower federal courts, overrides presidential vetoes, and appropriates money.
Which constitutional power of the legislative branch is missing from this list?
<u>Ratifies treaties</u>
The U.S. Constitution gives Congress, more specifically to the Senate, the power to ratify treaties made by the President in Section 2 of Article II when it states the following:
<em>He (the President) shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur;</em>
Question 5: Which branch of the government is responsible for making laws?
<u>Legislative</u>
The Legislative branch consisting of a bicameral Congress is responsible for proposing, making and passing legislation. When Congress passes a bill, the bill is sent to the President for approval. If the President signs into the bill, it becomes a law. However, if the President refuses to sign it or rejects it, the bill is then sent back to Congress to allow the chambers to override the Presidential veto.
