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169 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Alien
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a foreigner, especially one who is not a naturalized citizen of the country where they are living
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Ambassador
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An official representative of a country's government
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Amnesty
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Forgiveness/pardon to a group of people
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Anarchy
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a state of disorder due to absence of government
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Bicameral
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2 Houses
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Bureaucracy
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system of government in which most of the important decisions are made by state officials rather than by elected representatives.
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Cabinet
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A group of presidential advisers Ex. Secretary of state
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Checks and Balances
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System set up so no one branch could become too powerful
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Cloture
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⅔ vote of the Senate to end a filibuster (60 senators)
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Compromise
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an agreement reached by each side making concessions
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Concurrent powers
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Powers shared by both national and state governments Ex: TAX and borrow money
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Constituent
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A person from a legislator’s district (a voter)
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Democracy
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Government by the people
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Direct Democracy
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form of democracy in which the people themselves, rather than elected representatives, determine the laws and policies by which they are governed.
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Representative Democracy
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people elect representatives empowered to create laws and policies.
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Dictatorship
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a government or a social situation where one person makes all the rules and decisions without input from anyone else
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Duty
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Things that citizens HAVE TO do Ex: jury duty, pay taxes
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Elector
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A person appointed to vote in presidential elections.
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Enumerated powers
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Powers granted to the national government
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Executive agency
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part of a government department that is treated as managerially and budgetarily separate, to carry-out some part of the executive functions (an agency of the executive branch of government)
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Executive order
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A rule or command issued by the president that has the force of law (does not need to go through congress)
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Federalism
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Division of power between federal, or national government and the states.
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Filibuster
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A tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until the bill’s sponsor withdraws it-(delaying tactic to prevent vote on a bill)
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Foreign policy
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A nation's overall plan for dealing with other nations
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Gerrymandering
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redrawing district lines to favor a party
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Immigrant
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To come to a country of which one is not a native, usually for permanent residence.
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Immunity
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officially granted exemption from legal proceedings
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Impeach
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to accuse an official of wrongdoing. Only house of representatives can impeach
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Melting Pot
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a place where different people, styles, theories, etc are mixed together
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Monarchy
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a type of government with a king or a queen -power is passed down
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Naturalization
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process to become an American citizen
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Oligarchy
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a form of government where power lies with small group of people
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override
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To reject or cancel a decision (congress can override president with ⅔ vote)
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Popular Sovereignty
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power lies with the people
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Pardon
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Forgiveness of one person
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Patriotism
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Pride in one's country
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Reprieve
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postpone the punishment
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Republic
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A state where the supreme power is held by people and their elected representatives (have an elected president rather than a monarch)
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Reserve powers
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powers given to the states Ex: licenses
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Responsibility
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Thing a citizen should do
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Salad Bowl
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different cultures come together but maintain their separate identities
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Separation of Powers
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Split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial Branches.
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Socioeconomic Status
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What class a person falls in depending on their wealth
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Tolerance
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acceptance of others differences
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Treaty
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an agreement between 2 nations with the approval of the senate
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veto
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President’s power to deny a bill
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Writ of Habeas Corpus
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used to bring a prisoner or other detainee (e.g. institutionalized mental patient) before the court to determine if the person's imprisonment or detention is lawful
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Amendment 1
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RAPPS: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech
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Amendment 2
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Right to bear arms (weapons)
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Amendment 3
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Right not to quarter soldiers
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Amendment 4
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Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures (need a warrant)
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Amendment 5
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Indictment by a grand jury; No double jeopardy (tried twice for the same crime); Right to remain silent (no self incrimination); Due process of law (must be followed by everyone); eminent domain (gov’t has the right to take private property--usually land--for public use)
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Amendment 6
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trial by jury; public & speedy trial; accused must be told the exact charge against them; accused have the right to hear and question all witnesses against them and call their own; right to an attorney
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Amendment 7
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Right to a jury trial in civil cases (amount must be more than $20
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Amendment 8
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No cruel or unusual punishments; No excessive bails (or fines)
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Amendment 9
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People have rights beyond what’s written in the Constitution Ex. Privacy
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Amendment 10
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Any powers not given to the national gov’t are reserved for the states (reserved powers)
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Amendment 13 (civil war)
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Abolished slavery
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Amendment 14 (civil war)
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Defines rights of citizenship (states cannot deny citizens of life, liberty & property and must uphold due process) (equal protection clause)
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Amendment 15 (civil war)
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Right to vote cannot be denied because of race, etc. (given to african american males
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Amendment 19
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Women's Suffrage (right to vote)
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Amendment 22
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President limited to two terms (1 term=4 years so 8 year limit)
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Amendment 23
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“D.C. gets 3” electoral votes
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Amendment 24
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No Poll Tax (tax on voting)
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Amendment 25
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Presidential Succession (VP, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State, and so on through the cabinet)
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Amendment 26
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Must be 18 years old to vote
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Amendment 27
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No congressional member salary raises
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What are ALL 3 parts of the Constitution?
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Preamble, 7 Articles, 27 Amendments
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Supremacy Clause (Article 6 Section 2)
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The Federal law (US Constitution) is above all State laws; States cannot make laws that conflict with US law
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Necessary and Proper Clause OR Elastic Clause (Article I Section 8 Clause 18)
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Gives Congress the power to make all laws necessary to carry out their expressed powers; foundation for all implied powers of Congress Ex. Congress can print paper money
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Full Faith and Credit Clause (Article 4 Section 1)
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States must recognize the public acts, records and judicial proceedings of every other state. Ex. Birth certificates and marriage licenses are recognized in all 50 states.
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Establishment Clause (Article 1)
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Part of the First Amendment Freedom of religion and declares that a state cannot establish a religion; this is the foundation for the separation of church and state.
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Free Exercise/Worship Clause (Article 1)
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Part of the First Amendment freedom of religion; declares that we have the freedom to whatever we choose when it comes to religious matters.
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Equal Protection Clause (14th Amendment)
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Forbids a State or any local government from discriminating against person
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Article 1
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Legislative
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Article 2
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Executive
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Article 3
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Judicial
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Article 4
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States
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Article 5
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Amendments
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Article 6
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Supremacy
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Article 7
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Ratify
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What is a vote to end a filibuster?
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Closure vote (need ⅗ or 60 senators)
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How do the US House of Representatives have more power over the Senate when it comes to the nation’s money?
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All money bills must be introduced through the House
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What is the purpose of a recall vote?
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procedure by which voters can remove an elected official from office through a direct vote before their term has ended.
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What is the difference between a duty and a responsibility?
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Duty:Something you have to do as a citizen Responsibility: Something you should do as a citizen
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Why do Senators perform filibusters?
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To delay a vote or kill a bill.
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What are the qualifications to be Presidents?
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35 years old, natural born citizen, have lived in the U.S. for 14 years
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What are the qualifications to be Senators?
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30 years old, citizen for 9 years, live in the state that elects you
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How many members are there?
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100 members (2 per state)
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What are the qualifications to be House of Representative members?
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25 years old, citizen for 7 years, live in the state that elects you
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How many members are there?
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435 members (by population)
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What are the steps and qualifications of the naturalization process?
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Declaration, Application, Interview, Test (citizenship test), Oath (oath of allegiance)
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How does the US government make the majority of their revenue?
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TAXES
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If an accused person asks for a trial, what is that person entitled to?
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Trial by jury, public and speedy trial, attorney
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What is the purpose of the checks and balances system?
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Ensures no branch becomes too powerful, stops corruption, etc.
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What were the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?
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Major weakness: no right to tax individuals or states; made national government too weak; no president, no army etc.
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Who actually chooses the President of the United States?
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The Electoral College
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How many members are there?
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538 electors
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How is a chairperson of a congressional committee usually chosen?
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based on Seniority and Majority Party
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What was the significance of Shay’s Rebellion?
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Showed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation; cause of constitutional convention
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Why was the slogan “No Taxation without Representation” used?
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Colonists believed they shouldn’t be taxed if they are not even represented in Parliament; to encourage independence from king
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What are some examples of ‘duties’?
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Jury duty, paying taxes
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What are some examples of ‘responsibilities’?
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Voting, food drive
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What was the first Direct Democracy in the colonies?
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Mayflower Compact, New England Town Meetings
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Why is Direct Democracy not practical for this country today?
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too difficult because there are too many people
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How are the numbers of electors from each state determined?
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# of senators and representatives combined (need 270)
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What is the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
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To define and protect our rights as American Citizens as well as limit the power of the gov’t
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How can an amendment to the Constitution be proposed?
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Proposed by ⅔ of congress, ratified by ¾ of the states
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Why is the Great Compromise so important to the history of American government?
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Created Congress (House and Senate)
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Describe the process of Presidential succession if a President should die while in office.
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President, VP, Speaker of the House, President Pro Tempore, Secretary of State, and so on through the cabinet members
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Why is the United States called a ‘nation of immigrants’?
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Because most of our population immigrated to the U.S.
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What did northern and southern states disagree over the most at the Constitutional Convention?
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How slaves should be counted (for representation and taxes)
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What is amnesty?
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to pardon/forgive a group of people
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What is the purpose of the Executive Office of the President? (Chapter 7)
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To help the president govern the country effectively
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What is common law? Why is a system of common law important?
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law developed by judges(as opposed to legislature)(unify and be fair)
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What English tradition became part of the American political system?
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common law, the english bill of rights
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Which Continental Congress declared American independence?
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The second continental congress
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How were the voting rights of citizens living in Washington, D.C. in 1961 broadened?
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The 23rd amendment (gave them 3 electors)
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If a President wants a bill introduced to Congress, how does he go about introducing it?
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Congress member introduces it for him (president cannot introduce bills)
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What are some characteristics a person may have that will NOT allow them to vote?
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not being registered, too young, committed any felonies, not a citizen
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Where did the Constitutional Convention take place?
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Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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What was the name of the Compromise that appeased both the large states and small states and what did it state about representation in government?
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The Great Compromise; that each state gets 2 senators however representatives would be chosen based on population
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Popular sovereignty
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power to the people
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Federalism
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sharing power between the national and state governments
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Separation of Powers
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sharing power between the 3 branches
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Checks and Balances
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veto, override, impeach...no branch too strong
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Limited Government
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restriction on government power (no one above the law)
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Slander
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To say lies on purpose to hurt someone
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Libel
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To write lies on purpose to hurt someone
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Treason
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To give information to aid an enemy of your own country
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How can the Congress override a President’s veto?
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⅔ vote from congress
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Which compromise addressed how the President would be chosen?
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Electoral College Compromise
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Under the Constitution, Popular Sovereignty_the WILL of the people_is expressed through what actions?
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Voting
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What clause located in Article I of the Constitution is the foundation for all IMPLIED Powers of Congress?
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Necessary and Proper Clause or the Elastic Clause
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List the 4 Compromises that were declared at the Constitutional Convention
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Great Compromise, ⅗ Compromise, Slave Trade/Commerce, Electoral College
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Which branch of the government is controlled by the Congress?
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Legislative Branch
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Which branch of the government is led by the President?
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Executive Branch
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Which branch of government is led by the Supreme Court?
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Judicial Branch
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Which branch of government makes the laws?
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Legislative Branch
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Which branch of government interprets the laws?
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Judicial Branch
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Which branch of government carries out the laws?
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Executive Branch
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By what vote can Congress override a President’s veto?
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⅔ of both houses congress
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How many states must votes to ratify (pass) an amendment?
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¾ states
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What article of the Constitution describes the process for changing an amendment?
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Article 5
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What article of the Constitution defines the powers and limits of the President and Executive Branch?
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Article 2
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What article of the Constitution defines how and when the Constitution will be approved and takes effect?
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Article 7
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What article of the Constitution outlines the lawmaking powers of the legislative branch?
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Article 1
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What article of the Constitution defines federalism?
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Article 4
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What article of the Constitution the powers of the Supreme Court and judicial branch?
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Article 3
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What article of the Constitution establishes the “supremacy clause”?
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Article 6
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When do electors cast their vote for President?
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December
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How many electoral votes must a candidate receive to be considered the majority?
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270 electoral votes (538 electoral votes total)
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Who actually determines who will be President of the United States?
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The Electoral College
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Implied Powers
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powers not expressly stated in the Constitution Ex: Print money, draft soldiers
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Expressed Powers
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powers specifically stated/written in the Constitution Ex: Coin money, declare war
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Reserved
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Powers not given to the national gov’t that are reserved for the states (Ex: licences)
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Enumerated
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Powers given to the national gov’t (Ex: declare war)
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Concurrent
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Powers given to both the states and national gov’t (Ex: TAX, borrow money)
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Standing Committee
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Permanent committee
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Joint Committee
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Contains members of both houses
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Conference Committee
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joint committee where they work out the difference in 2 versions of a bill
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List steps for how a bill becomes a law
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Introduced in either the House or Senate, sent to committee, whole house for a vote, other house, President
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Who casts the deciding vote in the Senate if there is a tie?
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The Vice President
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What was the original purpose of the Constitutional Convention?
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To revise the Articles of Confederation
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How many people are in the House of Representatives and the Senate?
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House: 435 Senate: 100
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Who is President of the Senate?
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The Vice President
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Who impeaches?
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The House of Representatives
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Who puts the individual, once impeached, on trial?
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Senate holds the impeachment trial
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What is the vote in needed to remove an individual from power?
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need ⅔ majority vote to impeach
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