Civics test review

Social Contract

A philosophical concept rooted in John Locke’s ideas, that poses an implicit agreement between citizens and the government where citizens consent to be governed in exchange for protection of their rights and freedoms and the government is accountable for the people.

Seperation of Powers/ checks and balances

Dividing the gov into three branches (legislative, executive, and judical) to prevent one branch to from becoming to powerful.

Rule of Law

Everyone including to the governement officals is subject to and accountable under the law- everyone is equally accountable under the law.

Due Process

5th and 14th Amendment ensures fairness and protects individuals from government actions that could deprive them of lives, liberty, or property without following established legal procedures.

Equality under the law

All individuals, regardless of their background or character, are treated equally under the law in the 14th amendment.

Popular sovereignty

The government’s authority and legitmany stem from the consent of the people who are the ultimate source of the political power and that government is created by and subject to the will of the people

Natural rights

Are rights that are believed to be inherent to all human begins regardless of their social status/ gov; they aren’t granted by authority.

Natural Law

Belief in universal immutable law that governs the universe and human behavior

Federalism

A system where power is consitutionally divided between a national government and state government, with each specific powers and responsibilities.

Individual liberty

The freedoms and rights each person possess allowing them to act according to their own will, as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others and is protected by the consitution and the Bill of Rights.

Republicanism

“ A government in which all men rich or poor are equally subject to the law”

Representative Democratic Government

Our government is elected by citizens- here the people vote for their government officals

Consitutionalism

A fundimental principle that limits government power through the consitution ensuring the protection of citizens rights and the rule of law with a focus on checks and balances between different branches of government.

Majority Rule

A fundamental principle where decisions are made based on the preference of the majority of voters or participants ensuring the will of the peoples reflected

Minority Rights

The legal and social protections ensuring that individuals and groups not part of the dominant majority have equal opportunities and are protected from discrimination

Equal protection

The government must treat similarly situated individuals and groups are equal under the law.

Bill of Rights

Guarantees civil rights and liberties to the individual- like freedom of speech, press, and religion

Civil Rights and liberties

Limits government government power and guarantees fundamental freedom

Elections

Fundamental part of the U.S. system of government allowing citizens to choose their representatives at local federal and state level.

Article 1 of the Consitution

Establishes the Legislative branch of government (Congress)

Article 2 of the Consitution

Establishes the Executive branch of the government (President)

Article 3 of the Consitution

Establishes the Judicial branch of government (Supreme Court)

Article 4 of the Consitution

Addresses the relationship between the states

Article 5 of the Consitution

Describes the process for amending the Consitution

Article 6 of the Consitution

Declares the Consitution, federal laws and treats it as the Supreme law of the land

Article 7 of the Consitution

Outlines the process for ratification of the Consitution

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion speech and press

2nd Amendment

Right to keep and bare arms

3rd Amendment

Protection against holding soliders in homes

4th Amendment

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process “right to remain silent”

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy and public trial

7th Amendment

Right to jury trial in civil cases

8th Amendment

Prohibits excessive bails/ fines

9th Amendment

Rights not specifically listed are still retained by the people

10th Amendment

Powers not given too the government are left to states and people

Federalist views

Need for a strong government, checks and balances, protecting minority rights, initally against the bill of rights

Antifederalist views

No powerful central government, concerns about the amount of representation a lack of bill of rights

Supremancy Clause

Article 6 of the consitution. The federal consitution, and federal law generally, take precedence over state laws and even state consitutions. It prohibits states from interfering with the federal governments exercise of its consitutional powers.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Article 4 section 1 of the consitution that state courts respect the judgements of courts from other states

Commerce Clause

Article 1 section 8 clause three of the consitution, which gives congress the power to regulate comerece with foreign nations and among several states and the indian tribes

Due Process Clause

The 5th Amendment of the US consitution provides “ No person shall… be deprived of life liberty or property without due process of law”

Equal Protection Clause

“No state shall make or enfnorce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the US; nor deny to any person within its jursidiction the equal the equal protection of the laws”

Necessary and Proper Clause

Article 1 section 8 of the consitution congress has the power “to make all laws which shall be nessary and proper for carrying into execution the foregoing powers and all powers vested by this consitution in the government of the U.S. any department or officer thereof”

Declaration of Independance

Declaring independance from great britian no longer under british rule domestic and international audiences is the purpose of the

Declaration of independance

Foundation of American idenity and insporation for domestic movements is the influences of

Declaration of independance

Natural rights popular sovereignty equality right to abolish and self-governace are the central themes and principles of

Article of Confederation

Established unified governments preserved state sovereignty and coordinate actions is the purpose of

Articles of confederation

Highlighting weakness in the government guiding the nation through its first years is the influences of

Articles of confederation

State sovereignty limited central government equal representation “league of friendship” non executive or judicial branch are the central themes and principles of

Federalist papers

Made to support radification expand and defend the consitution, public opinion and promotes a strong union is the purpose of

Federalist Papers

Shaped the consitution interprentation american political thoughts strong nations governments are the influences of

Federalist Papers

Nessicity of a strong union federalism checks and balances judical review and protection of rights are the central themes and principles of

Northwest ordinances of 1784

inital proposal for organizing the western territories

Northwest Ordinances of 1785

Established system for surveying and selling the land in the west

Northwest ordinances of 1787

Most significant outlined framework in government territory for organizing the west

Consitution of Massachusetts 1780

Served as a model for the US consitution written by John Adams and used the rule of law and popular sovereignty etc.

Bill of Rights

Secured individual rights and liberties limits the government power addresses anti federalists concerns are purposes of the

Bill of Rights

Foundation of civil liberties protection of Due process and shapes the American Legal system are all influnences of

Bill of Rights

Individual rights limited government enumerated rights judical review presumption of liberty are all central themes and principles of

Marbury v. Madison 1803

Established Judical review granting powers to declare a law unconsitutional to make this branch co-equal with other branchws of gov

McColluch v. Maryland 1819

Established that congress has implied powers beyond those specifically listed in the consitution particularly through “Mecessat and proper clause” and states cannot interfere with federal actions

Dred Scott v Sanford 1857

The court ruled that enslaved people and their descendants were not citizens and therefore could not sue in federal courth and that congress can not ban slavery in territories

Plessy v Ferguson 1896

The court upheld the consituionally of state- sponsored segregation establishing “seperate but equal”

Koremastu v U.S. 1944

The supreme court upheld the interment of Japanese Americans during WWII ruling that the government actions were justified “military nessity” despit racial discrimination

Brown v Board of Education 1954

Ruleld that racial segregation in public schools was unconsitutional overturning “seperate but equal”

Mapp v Ohio 1961

Originating in Cleveland the court ruled that under the 4th and 14th amendments, illegally seized evidence could not be used in trial

Engel v Vitale 1962

Ruled that state sponsored prayer in public schools violated amendment 1 prohibiting the government from establishing/ promoting a religion

Gideon v Wainwright 1963

Court ruled that the 6th Amendment right to consel which previously only applied federal cases but now applys to all cases

Miranda v Arizona 1966

Law enforement must inform criminal suspects of their consitutional rights including the right to remain silent

Tinker v Des Mmoines 1969

The supreme court ruled that students retain their first amendment rights to freedom of speech including symbolic expression

U.S. v Nixon

Was landmark case in which the court ordered the president to reveal the tape recordings related to the watergate scandal.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlumeier (1988)

This case dealt with the First amendment right of students in public schools, ruling that school officals can exercise editoral control over student new papers if their actions are related to legitiment educational concerns.

Texas v. Johnson (1989)

The supreme court ruled that burning the American flag is portected speech under the First amendment affirming the right to free expression even when it is controversial or offensive.

Bush v. Gore (2000)

This case resolved the dispute over the 2000 presidental election recount in FLorida effectively awarding the presidency to George Bush by stopping the recount due to equal protection concerns.

District of Columbia v. FEC (2010)

The court held that the second amendment protects an individuals right to poses a firearm unconnected with service in a militia and to use that arm for traditional lawfuul purposes

Great society related acts

A series of programs initated by president Lyndon B. Johnson aimed al eliminating poverty and racial injustice including Medicade/ Medicare and the civil rights act

New Deal Related Acts

Programs and policies implemented by President Franlin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression to promote economic recovery and soical reform.

Clean Air act of 1970

A comprehensive federal law that regulates air emissions from sationary and moblie sources aiming to improve air quality and reduce pollution.

USA Patriot Act of 2001

Legislation passed in response to September 11 attacks to enhance law enforcement including investigatory tools.

Afforable Care Act of 2010 (Obamacare)

A healthcare reform law aimed at expanding acess to insurance increasing consumer protections emphasizing prevention and wellness.

Treaty of Paris (1898)

Ended the Spanish- American war; Spain ceding Puerto Rico, the U.S. gained the Philipenes and CUba gained independance.

Lousiana Purchase (1803)

Accquiring Losusiana from France that doubled the size of the United States

Japanese- American Interment camps- Executive or 9066

Authorized interment of Japanese american during WWII national security concerns after Pearl Harbor.