Comprehensive US Government & Constitution Study Guide

What is government?

An institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies.

What are public policies?

All those things a government decides to do.

What are the three basic powers of government?

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

What are the roles of the three branches of the US Government?

Settle disputes, frame public policies, execute laws, make laws, interpret laws, and enforce laws.

What is a state?

A body of people living in a defined territory, with a government that has power to enforce law without the consent of any higher authority.

What is a nation?

An ethnic term referring to races or other large groups of people, often sharing culture or history.

What is a country?

A geographic term referring to a particular place, region, or area of land.

What is a city-state?

A sovereign territory that comprises a town and the surrounding countryside, with walls to defend the city.

What is an empire?

An extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, often formed through military or trade dominance.

What is a kingdom?

A country, state, or territory ruled by a king or queen, which emerged after the collapse of the Roman Empire.

What are the three ways governments are classified?

1. Who participates in the governing process? 2. Geographic distribution of government power. 3. Relationship between legislative and executive branches.

What is democracy?

A system where supreme political authority rests with the people.

What is a dictatorship?

A system where supreme political authority rests with a single person.

What is a unitary government?

A centralized government where all powers belong to a central agency.

What is a federal government?

A government where powers are divided between central and local governments.

What is a confederation?

An alliance of independent states that can only handle matters assigned to them.

What is the presidential system of government?

A system where there is a separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.

What is the parliamentary system of government?

A system where the executive branch is made up of members of the legislative branch.

What was early democracy in Athens, Greece characterized by?

Only male citizens could vote, with 25% of the population being slaves and women having no clear rights.

What characterized the early republic in Rome?

Assemblies of wealthy citizens that debated and decided important matters for the Roman population.

What was the highest authority in the early American government?

The Senate.

What document, signed in 1215, protected the people from the king?

The Magna Carta.

What rights were guaranteed by the Magna Carta?

Due process of law and trial by jury.

What was the significance of the Magna Carta in terms of government?

It is considered the earliest example of a constitution.

What was the Enlightenment?

A period where middle class men in France and England wrote about new ways to change governments and expand rights for non-nobles.

Name three major ideas of the Enlightenment.

Freedom of Religion, Balance of power in government, Representation in government.

What did the English Bill of Rights, signed in 1689, prohibit?

Taxation without Parliament's permission, excessive bail, and cruel or unusual punishment.

How did the Enlightenment influence the Bill of Rights?

It inspired the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution, which include freedoms such as speech, religion, and assembly.

What was the Declaration of Independence and when was it written?

Written in 1776, it stated the intentions of the colonists and created a national identity.

What were the Articles of Confederation?

Written and approved in 1777, they established a weak federal government with states being independent.

What was a major issue with the Articles of Confederation?

The national government could not tax citizens directly or regulate trade.

What was the purpose of the Constitutional Conventions in 1787?

To address issues with the Articles of Confederation and ultimately write a new document.

What were the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?

The Virginia Plan favored big states with votes based on population, while the New Jersey Plan favored small states with equal representation.

What was the Connecticut Compromise?

A compromise that created a bicameral legislature with one house based on population and one with equal representation for each state.

What was the ⅗ Compromise?

An agreement that counted three-fifths of the enslaved population for representation and taxation purposes.

What was a significant limitation of the Articles of Confederation regarding military power?

The national government could not raise an army.

How many states needed to agree to pass laws under the Articles of Confederation?

9 out of 13 states.

What was the role of Congress under the Articles of Confederation?

Congress was the national government, consisting of one house where each state had one vote.

What was the difference between the President of Congress and the President of the United States?

The President of Congress was a member who acted as president for a year, not the same as the President of the US.

What was the impact of the Enlightenment on the actual government structure of the US?

It led to the establishment of three balanced branches and open, free elections.

What was one reason for disagreement between larger and smaller states during the Constitutional Convention?

Larger states wanted representation based on population, while smaller states wanted equal representation to protect against majority rule.

What was the significance of the Bill of Rights in the US Constitution?

It ensured fundamental rights such as freedom of speech, religion, and protection against unreasonable searches.

What was the ⅗ Compromise in relation to the slave population?

Only ⅗ of the slave population would count in total state population.

What tax obligation did Southern states have regarding slaves?

Southern states would have to pay taxes on their slaves.

What amendment abolished the ⅗ Compromise?

The 13th Amendment abolished slavery and removed the ⅗ Compromise.

What power does Congress have regarding trade?

Congress could regulate interstate trade.

What are the main components of the US Constitution?

1. Preamble 2. 7 Articles (Legislative Branch, Executive Branch, Judicial Branch, State Powers, Amendments, Federal Powers, Ratification) 3. Amendments (1st 10 are the Bill of Rights, totaling 27 amendments).

What does 'Limited Government' mean?

There are restrictions on the power of the government and what it is allowed to do.

What is an example of a limitation on individual rights?

Shouting fire to incite panic is against the law.

What is Federalism?

Federalism divides power between the federal government and state governments.

What are the three powers of Federalism?

1. Expressed powers (written in Constitution) 2. Implied powers (derived from expressed powers) 3. Inherent powers (belong to the national government).

What are some powers denied to the Federal Government?

1. Prohibit freedom of speech 2. Conduct illegal searches 3. Tax the states.

What are Reserved Powers?

Powers that are not granted to the National Government and are not denied to the states.

What is an example of a Reserved Power?

Require licenses to practice medicine and law.

What does Federalism allow in terms of state laws?

It allows differences in laws, such as earthquake safety laws vs hurricane safety laws.

Why was Federalism chosen by the Framers?

Because of issues with the Articles of Confederation.

What is the scope of Reserved Powers?

The scope is huge, including powers like public schools and police power.

What is an example of a power that belongs to the states?

Seizing items used to commit crimes.

What is the total number of amendments in the US Constitution?

27 amendments.

What is the role of the Legislative Branch in the US Constitution?

To create laws.

What is the role of the Executive Branch in the US Constitution?

To enforce laws.

What is the role of the Judicial Branch in the US Constitution?

To interpret laws.

Can states impose their own laws on marriage and divorce?

Yes, marriage and divorce laws are reserved for the states.

What powers are denied to the states?

States cannot enter into treaties or alliances, print money, must provide Due Process of Law, and cannot tax agencies or functions of the national government.

What are shared powers between the National Government and State Governments?

Both can collect taxes and define crimes and punishments.

Why was the ability to amend the Constitution important to the Framers?

It allowed for changes without needing to write a new Constitution.

What are the two processes for amending the Constitution?

Formal Amendment and Informal Amendment.

What is the role of the President in proposing amendments?

The President does not have a formal role; Congress proposes amendments.

What happens if a state rejects an amendment?

A state can change its mind and later ratify an amendment, but cannot accept and then later reject it.

How many resolutions have been made in Congress to amend the Constitution?

12,000 resolutions have been made.

How many amendments have been ratified out of those sent to the states?

27 out of 33 amendments sent to the states have been ratified.

What are the five informal processes of change to the Constitution?

1. Passage of basic legislation by Congress, 2. Actions taken by the President, 3. Key decisions of the Supreme Court, 4. Activities of political parties, 5. Custom and Usage.

What is meant by 'basic legislation' in the context of the Constitution?

Laws that clarify rights and processes set out in the Constitution.

How does executive action contribute to the informal process of change?

The President can use their powers to make agreements without Congressional permission.

What role do Supreme Court decisions play in the informal process of change?

The Supreme Court interprets and applies the Constitution, affecting its application over time.

What landmark case reversed the decision of Plessy vs Ferguson?

Brown vs Board of Education.

How do political parties influence the Constitution?

Political parties, though not mentioned in the Constitution, significantly affect Congressional actions and decisions.

What is an example of custom and usage in the context of the presidency?

The practice that the Vice President becomes President upon the death of the President, established until the 25th Amendment.

What amendment established a limit on presidential terms?

The 22nd Amendment, which prohibits a third term for the President.

What is the significance of the informal amendment process?

It allows for changes to the Constitution without formal amendments, adapting to societal changes.

What is the relationship between federalism and the amendment process?

Proposal occurs at the national level, while ratification is done state by state.

What does the Constitution's vagueness allow for?

It allows for informal changes and interpretations that can evolve over time.

What is the impact of customs and practices on the Constitution?

They shape the functioning of government and political practices beyond what is explicitly written in the Constitution.