1. Kevin Hwang Period 2 December 2009

2. The Bill of Rights are the original 10 Amendments to our Constitution. The Bill of Rights are the original 10 Amendments to our Constitution. Created in 1789 by James Madison. Created in 1789 by James Madison. It’s purpose was to set limits on what the govt. can and cannot do in regards to personal liberties. It’s purpose was to set limits on what the govt. can and cannot do in regards to personal liberties. The U.S. Bill of Rights was influenced by George Mason's 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, the 1689 English Bill of Rights, works of the Age of Enlightenment pertaining to natural rights, and earlier English political documents such as the Magna Carta (1215). The U.S. Bill of Rights was influenced by George Mason's 1776 Virginia Declaration of Rights, the 1689 English Bill of Rights, works of the Age of Enlightenment pertaining to natural rights, and earlier English political documents such as the Magna Carta (1215).

3. The members of the executive branch are the President, the vice-president, and the cabinet members. The members of the executive branch are the President, the vice-president, and the cabinet members. The executive branch enforces the laws. The executive branch enforces the laws. The President can veto a bill. The President can veto a bill. The President approves and carries out laws passed by the legislative branch. The President approves and carries out laws passed by the legislative branch. The President negotiates treaties, and acts as head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces. The President negotiates treaties, and acts as head of state and commander in chief of the armed forces.

4. The Judicial Branch is in charge of the court system. The Judicial Branch is in charge of the court system. The top office is the Supreme Court. The top office is the Supreme Court. This branch explains and interprets the laws. This branch explains and interprets the laws. This branch of government is often tasked with ensuring equal justice under the law. This branch of government is often tasked with ensuring equal justice under the law. The judicial branch has the power to change laws. The judicial branch has the power to change laws. The judicial branch oversees the court system of the U.S. The judicial branch oversees the court system of the U.S. The judicial branch oversees the court system of the U.S. The judicial branch oversees the court system of the U.S.

5. The legislative branch is made up of the two houses of Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives The legislative branch is made up of the two houses of Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives Legislative has power to make laws. Legislative has power to make laws. There are 100 senators in the Senate, two from each state. There are 100 senators in the Senate, two from each state. The Senate must ratify all treaties by a two-thirds vote. The Senate must ratify all treaties by a two-thirds vote. There are 435 representatives in the House of Representatives. The number of representatives each state gets is based on its population. There are 435 representatives in the House of Representatives. The number of representatives each state gets is based on its population.

6. Separation of powers is the principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government. Separation of powers is the principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government. It limits the power of each branch of government so no one branch becomes too powerful. It limits the power of each branch of government so no one branch becomes too powerful. Divides power among 3 branches: legislative, judicial and executive. Divides power among 3 branches: legislative, judicial and executive.

7. James Madison was born on March 16, 1751 in King George County, Virginia. James Madison was born on March 16, 1751 in King George County, Virginia. He is generally regarded as the "Father of the Constitution". He is generally regarded as the "Father of the Constitution". Madison was elected as America's fourth president in 1808. Madison was elected as America's fourth president in 1808. Madison and Hamilton wrote one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. Madison and Hamilton wrote one of the most important documents in the history of the United States.

8. It guarantees that no part of the government becomes too powerful. It guarantees that no part of the government becomes too powerful. Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them. Each branch “checks” the power of the other branches to make sure that the power is balanced between them. With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others.

9. The year was 1787. The place: the State House in Philadelphia, the same location where the Declaration of Independence had been signed 11 years earlier. The year was 1787. The place: the State House in Philadelphia, the same location where the Declaration of Independence had been signed 11 years earlier. Also known as Philadelphia Convention. Also known as Philadelphia Convention. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, was from the outset to create a new government rather than "fix" the existing one. James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, was from the outset to create a new government rather than "fix" the existing one.

10. An electoral college is a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office An electoral college is a set of electors who are selected to elect a candidate to a particular office Often these represent different organizations or entities, with each organization or entity represented by a particular number of electors or with votes weighted in a particular way.. Often these represent different organizations or entities, with each organization or entity represented by a particular number of electors or with votes weighted in a particular way..