Civics Flashcards

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citizen

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Individual with certain and duties under a government and who, by birth or by choice owes allegiance to that government

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sources of citizenship

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14th amendment defines citizenship in U.S

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Naturalization process

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establish residency, know american history and principles, be able to read, speak and write basic English, pass exam, take oath of allegiance

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duties of citizens

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obey laws, Pay taxes, serve in armed forces if called, serve in a jury if called, serve as witness in court if called.

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Responsibilities of citizens

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Register to vote, influence government by communicating with government officials, Volunteer for appointed positions, hold elective office, Participate in in political campaigns, keep informed regarding current issues, respect others rights to an equal voice in government

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Purposes of government

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protect citizens• preserve order• provide public goods and services• plan for the future

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democracy

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Form of government in which the people rule the country

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Limited government

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government may only do those things people have given it the power to do and is specifically not allowed to do some things that step on people's rights

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Majority rule

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the side receiving the greatest number of votes makes decisions binding on whole group while protecting minority rights

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protection of fundamental freedoms

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the responsibility of the government to safeguard the rights of all citizens, even those in the minority

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representative government

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people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on their behalf

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consent of the governed

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people are the source of all governmental power so government can only do what the citizens show they approve of (through voting)

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rule of law

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government including those who govern are bound by the law

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popular sovereignty

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government's authority to govern comes from the people themselves, rather than from birth of the rulers or some outside source

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charters of the Virginia Company of London

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document that guaranteed the rights of Englishmen who agreed to settle in America`

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Virginia Declaration of Rights

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document that served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the Constitution

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Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom

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.document written by Jefferson that established freedom of religious beliefs and opinions, and the separation of church and state• model for part of the 1st Amendment

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Declaration of Independence

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.stated grievances against the king of England• affirmed "certain unalienable rights" (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness)• established the idea that all people are equal under the law• establishes the right of citizens to change an unjust government

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Articles of Confederation

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• document established first form of national US government • major powers resided with individual states • weak central government• no power to tax and enforce law

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US Constitution

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• supreme law of the land• establishes the structure of the U.S. government• Preamble, 7 articles, and amendments• guarantees equality under law

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Living Document

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• refers to the US Constitution • flexible and adaptable • amendments, elastic cause, and interpretation (courts)

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amendment

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• change in the Constitution • currently 27

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amending process of the U.S. Constitution

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• complex - only 27 approved in over 200 years• proposed by 2/3 vote of Congress or state conventions• ratified by ¾ vote of the states

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due process of law

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• complex - only 27 approved in over 200 years• proposed by 2/3 vote of Congress or state conventions• ratified by ¾ vote of the states

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due process of law

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• constitutional protection against unfair governmental actions and laws• the government must follow certain steps if someone is accused of a crime

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expressed powers

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• powers of the federal government specifically mentioned in the US Constitution• also known as delegated or enumerated powers

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implied powers

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• powers not listed but exercised to carry out the powers of government• to carry out the necessary and proper clause

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reserved powers

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powers kept by the states (10th Amendment)

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concurrent powers

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powers shared between the federal and state government

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federalism

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• division of power between the states and national government• national government is supreme

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national government's primary responsibilities

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• conducts foreign policy• regulates commerce

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state government's primary responsibilities

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promotes public health, safety, and welfare

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Preamble

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introduction to the US Constitution that expresses the reasons the Constitution was written

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purposes of government in the preamble

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• form a more perfect union• establish justice• ensure domestic tranquility • provide for the common defense• promote the general welfare• secure the blessings of liberty

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Bill of Rights

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first 10 Amendments to Constitution, protects citizens' rights by limiting what gov. can do

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1st Amendment

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guarantees freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion and petition

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5th Amendment

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• guarantees citizens the right of due process of law• protects against double jeopardy, eminent domain, and self-incrimination

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14th Amendment

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• defines citizenship• anyone born in the US is a citizen of the US and the state they live in• guarantees rights to all citizens (preventing states from denying former slaves rights)• extends due process protection to actions of the states

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checks and balances

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gives each of branch of government a way to limit the powers of the other branches

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separation of powers

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• defines and divides the powers of the three branchesof government• Article I - legislative, Article II -executive, Article III -judicial

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supremacy clause

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identifies the US Constitution as the authority over the states

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Legislative branch

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• part of government that is responsible for writing the laws• Congress (House of Representatives & Senate)

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Legislative Powers

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• Expressed: Specifically listed in the Constitution of theUnited States• Implied: Not written, but used to carry out expressed powers

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expressed or enumerated powers of federal legislative branch

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• Makes the laws of the nation - Declares war• Approves the annual budget- Regulates interstate and foreign trade• Confirms presidential appointments• Raises revenue through taxes and other levies

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bicameral

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legislature consisting of two houses

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legislature consisting of two houses

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• "upper house"• 2 members from each state (100 Senators)• President Pro Tempore (when vice president is not present) is presiding officer

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US House of Representatives

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• "lower house"• # determined by state's population (435 Representatives)• Speaker of the House is presiding officer

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lawmaking process

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• Elected officials write laws and take action in response to problems or issues.• Introducing a bill by a Senator or Representative• Work in committees• Debating the bill on the floor of each house• Vote by both houses• Signed into law by President

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legislative checks judicial

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• approves federal judges• impeaches federal judges

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legislative checks executive

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• overrides vetoes• impeaches president• approves budget• approves appointments (Senate)• approves treaties (Senate)