U.S. Government Final Exam Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for U.S. Government final exam review.

Separation of Powers

Divides government responsibilities among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.

Checks and Balances

Allow each branch to monitor and limit the actions of the others, protecting individual freedoms and ensuring a balanced, accountable government.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a national (federal) government and regional (state) governments.

Unitary System

A system where the central government holds most of the power.

Confederal System

A system where power is held by independent states with a weak central authority.

National Government Exclusive Powers

Powers such as printing money, declaring war, maintaining the military, and regulating trade between states and with other countries.

State Government Exclusive Powers

Powers like conducting elections, establishing local governments, and overseeing education and public safety.

Concurrent Powers

Powers such as the ability to tax, build roads, and create and enforce laws, shared by both the national and state governments.

Limited Government

The Constitution restricts the powers of the government to protect individual rights and prevent tyranny.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a government is created and sustained by the consent of its people, through their elected representatives.

Direct Democracy

Citizens vote on laws and policies themselves.

Indirect Democracy

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Democratic Government

Based on the consent of the governed, free and fair elections, protection of individual rights, and the rule of law.

Authoritarian Government

Concentrates power in the hands of a single ruler or small group and limits political freedoms and opposition.

Purpose of the Federalist Papers

Promote the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Authors of the Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Anti-Federalist Opposition to the Constitution

Gave too much power to the federal government and lacked a bill of rights to protect individual liberties.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Guarantees due process of law, protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and guarantees just compensation for eminent domain.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to counsel.

Seventh Amendment

Provides the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

Eighth Amendment

Protects against excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

States that the people have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery.

14th Amendment

Granted citizenship and equal protection under the law.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18.

Incorporation

The legal process by which the Supreme Court has applied the Bill of Rights to the states using the 14th Amendment's Due Process Clause.

Primary Election

Used by political parties to choose their nominee for a general election.

General Election

Where voters choose among the nominees to elect officials for public office.

Electoral College

The system used to elect the U.S. President, where each state has a certain number of electoral votes based on its representation in Congress.

The Census

A population count conducted every 10 years to determine the number of people living in the U.S.

Congressional Apportionment

The process of dividing the 435 seats in the House of Representatives among the states based on population data from the Census.

Congressional Redistricting

The process of redrawing district boundaries within states after apportionment.

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of district boundaries to favor a political party or group.

Marbury v. Madison Reasoning

Established judicial review, allowing it to strike down laws that violate the Constitution.

McCulloch v. Maryland Reasoning

The Court used the Necessary and Proper Clause to support federal power over states.

Schenck v. U.S. Reasoning

Speech can be restricted if it presents a 'clear and present danger.'

Brown v. Board of Education Reasoning

Separate but equal is inherently unequal.

Engel v. Vitale Reasoning

Government cannot sponsor religious activity in public schools.

Miranda v. Arizona Reasoning

Suspects must be informed of their Miranda rights (right to remain silent, right to a lawyer).

Mapp v. Ohio Reasoning

Evidence from illegal searches can't be used in court.

Gideon v. Wainwright Reasoning

The right to an attorney is fundamental, even in state courts.

Roe v. Wade Reasoning

The right to privacy under the 14th Amendment includes the decision to have an abortion.

First Amendment

Protects freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and the right to petition the government.

Second Amendment

Protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Fourth Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Fifth Amendment

Guarantees due process of law, protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and guarantees just compensation for eminent domain.

Sixth Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and the right to counsel.

Seventh Amendment

Provides the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

Eighth Amendment

Protects against excessive bail, excessive fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Ninth Amendment

States that the people have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Texas v. Johnson Reasoning

Flag burning is protected speech under the First Amendment.