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47 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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When was the Declaration of Independence signed, and what was its purpose?
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July 4, 1776
announcing that the thirteen American colonies then at war with Great Britain were no longer a part of the British Empire |
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What is ironic about the author of the Declaration of Independence?
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jefferson owned slaves
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How long is a presidential term?
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4 years
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What does "separation of powers" mean?
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In the American political system the three branches of government, legislative, executive and judiciary, each have specific constitutionaly defined functions and powers. No branch is allowed to exercise the powers of the other branches or interfere in the way the other branches exercise their powers. Michael Montagne
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What is the purpose of checks and balances?
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Checks and Balances are the forces of the different parts of the government. They are there to make sure the other parts are doing their job and to regulate the things that each branch does.
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What is judicial review?
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"Judicial Review" means that the Supreme Court can declare laws of congress or acts of government unconstitutional. This was not part of the original constitution (because the framers intended for it to be a weak branch). But, the 1803 Supreme Court case Marbury V. Madison established judicial review, making the Judicial Branch arguably the strongest branch in the US government.
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What is the significance of the "Marbury v. Madison" Supreme Court case?
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This was the first time the Supreme Court declared an act of Congress unconstitutional. It established the right of the Supreme Court to judge the legality of acts of Congress and was an affirmation of the separation of powers as well a a statement of priorities.
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How many people are in the presidential cabinet, and what do they do?
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15
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What are the three branches of government?
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The three branches of U.S. government—legislative, judicial, and executive—carry out governmental power and functions.
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What is the main function of the (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) branch?
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* Executive Branch
The executive branch of the government is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land. The president, vice president, department heads (cabinet members), and heads of independent agencies carry out this mission. * Judicial Branch Courts decide arguments about the meaning of laws and how they are applied. They also decide if laws violate the Constitution—this is known as judicial review, and it is how federal courts provide checks and balances on the legislative and executive branches. * Legislative Branch Article I of the Constitution establishes the legislative or law making branch of government. It has a two-branch Congress—the Senate and the House of Representatives—and agencies that support Congress. |
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What does "bicameral" mean?
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two houses. Usually applied to government the US has a bicameral legislature (house of representives and senate) other countires only have a unilateral legislature (parliment)
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What are the requirements to be president?
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* be a natural born citizen of the united States
* be at least 35 years old * have lived in the U.S. for at least 14 years |
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What is a Federal System?
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A federal system of government is one that divides the powers of government between the national (federal) government and local (state) governments.
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Which amendments make up the Bill of Rights?
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The Bill of Rights are the first ten (10) amendments to the United States Constitution.
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How many people are on the Supreme Court?
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The Surpreme Court has eight Associate Justices and the Chief Justice.
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What are some main functions/powers of the Executive branch?
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enforce laws
Veto and command of the military |
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What are some main functions/ powers of the Judicial branch?
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review the laws.
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What are some main functions/ powers of the Legislative branch?
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to pass laws
to supervise government activities |
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How is an amendment ratified (accepted?)
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The congress ratifies amendments to the Constitution. You can propose an amendment through contacts with your elected representatives. You will not get very far with your proposal if you are the only one that wants it. An amendment to the Constitution requires a two-thirds majority vote from both houses of Congress.
******** |
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What is considered the "supreme law of the land"?
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constitution
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What are the requirements to be a US Senator?
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30 y/o
citizen for 9 years live in state represented |
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What are the requirements to be a US House Representative?
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25 y/o
citizen for 7 years live in the state represented |
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What are the two ways in which the constitution is "flexible"?
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-supreme court
-can be amended |
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What does "concurrent powers" mean, and what are some of them?
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powers shared by both gov
-tax -establish courts -promote agriculter and industry -borrow money -charter banks -protect public health -provide welfare |
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What is the last group of Americans to receive the right to vote?
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18 y/o
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Where do all revenue/ tax bills begin? Why do they begin here?
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house b/c in charge of country's affairs
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What is the purpose of committees formed by the House of Representatives?
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******
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How is a president impeached? How many times has a president been impeached?
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*******
The 17th president Andrew Johnson was impeached by the House of Representatives in 1868 for violation of the Tenure in Office Act of 1867. However, the Senate was one vote short of convicting Johnson. The 42nd president Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998 by the House for perjury and obstruction of justice. As with Johnson, the Senate could not come up with the two-thirds majority to convict Clinton. President Nixon was not impeached. While the House issued articles of impeachment for bribery, obstruction of justice, illegal wiretapping, and bribery Nixon resigned the Presidency before the House voted for impeachment. Most certainly had he not resigned he would have been impeached. |
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What does the "separation of the church and state" clause say?
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******
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What does "extradition" mean?
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legal surrender of a fugitive to the jurisdiction of another state, country, or government for trial. the surrender of an accused or convicted person by one state or country to another (usually under the provisions of a statute or treaty)
For example, if I was arrested in GA for a crime in AL, I would need to be extradited, which is a legal process, by AL so I could go to trial there. |
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If no majority emerges from the Electoral College, who decides the presidency?
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house
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What are "ex post facto" laws? Are they legal?
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it's unconstitutional:The term"ex post fact" means after the fact. Such a law would make a previously legal act illegal.
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Who retains power not given to the national government?
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********
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What is the purpose of the Electoral College?
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Their only purpose is to elect the President. They usually go along with the majority of how their state votes.
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How many representatives does each state get in the US House? How many reps total?
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based on population;
435 |
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How many senators does each state get in the senate? How many senators total?
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2
100 |
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How many representatives in the electoral college do states get? Why was it set up this way?
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each state would get as many electors as there were senators and reprsentatives from that state. it is set this way b/c writers of the constitution weren't ready to give the selection of pres to "common man."
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What is the term of service for a US senator?
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6
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What is the term of service for a US Representative?
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2 yrs
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What does "double jeopardy" mean?
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It means you cannot be jeopardised twice for an offence. You can't be tried for the same crime twice
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Who is the president of the senate?
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vp
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Who approves treaties and presidential appointments?
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congress
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What checks do the three branches of government have on each other?
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***
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What is the purpose of a "writ of habeus corpus"?
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a government can not hold you captive without bringing you before a judge with their argument for what crime you have committed
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What are "due process" rights?
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Due process means that the government cannot take away your property, put you in prison, harm you, or execute you without following the procedures outlined by the courts. Part of this idea is the "innocent until proven guilty" clause - you cannot be punished for a crime until and unless you are found guilty by a court.
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What function does the Secretary of State serve?
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***
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What are the 13, 14, 15, and 19th amendments?
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The 13th amendment abolished slavery
14th amendment was to make all of the freed slaves citizens 15th amendment allows any race today to vote Amendment 19 - Women's Suffrage. Ratified 8/18/1920. History The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex. |
