civics final review

popular sovereignty

the will/power oof people in government; principle in the constitution

limited government

limiting power of the government; rule of law - no one is above the law

how did the magna carta support rule of law?

first document that took power away from the king

implied powers

not written in the constitution; derived from the necessary and proper clause

inherent powers

granted to federal government in order to carry out their duties

denied powers

powers denied to national or state government

federalism

separation of powers between central and state governments

anti-federalists? why was the bill of rights added to the constitution? what role did they have in the ratification debates?

they refused to ratify the constitution because they felt like it left out individual rights; argued for the bill of rights to be added before ratification

republican form of government and its relation to the US

representative government or indirect democracy; representatives elected by the people carry out their will

ideas found in the declaration of independence preamble

popular sovereignty and “we the people”

articles of confederation

first document establishing an american government; failed because it gave states too much power and weak central government; no way to levy taxes, raise an army, and handle disputes among nations

federalist papers

series of articles answering critics of ratifying the constitution (antifederalists)

connecticut compromise

the great compromise combined the virginia and new jersey plans

why is the constitution referred to as a living document?

it has the ability to adapt/change with time because of formal (amendments) and informal (implied powers) changes

supremacy clause

federal government supersedes state government

checks and balances

created so that no branch would become too powerful; i.e. president can veto congress, congress can impeach president

what role do political parties play in the united states ?

get their candidate into office and stay in office; forms of government: direct democracy, representative democracy, socialism, communism, monarchy, oligarchy, and autocracy.

electoral college

process in which the united states elects the president. first, citizens vote for their state electors which pledge for a party. next, the electors cast a vote for the presidential candidates. most states have an all or none policy when distributing votes.

which level of government regulates elections

state government

voter turnout

18 to 24 less likely to vote

midterm election

off year elections; between general presidential elections

lobbyists

lobby congress for support of their interests; they help conduct research and write legislation; people feel they have too much influence on congress

mass media role

helps candidates win by influencing the people viewing to vote for the candidate advertised

voter requirements

18 years old, U.S. citizen, and reside in the state you’re voting in

jurisdiction

determines which court gets to hear the case

how many electoral votes are needed to win an election?

270

political ideology

the influences that impact how a person feels politically; family, education, age, and religion shape ideology

how has the right to vote expanded over time?

15th amendment - granted african american men the right to vote (1870)

19th amendment - granted women the right to vote (1920)

23rd amendment - grants citizens in D.C. the right to vote (1961)

26th amendment - grants citizens 18+ the right to vote (1971)

third parties

minor parties that serve to be: spoiler role and innovator (focus on a controversial topic that get adopted by major parties)

interest groups

they choose a particular topic to draw attention to and get legislation passed on

american citizen responsibilities

obey laws, vote, and jury duty

first amendment and free exercise clause

freedom of religion and the right to practice it

how do cases make it to the supreme court?

appealed up to supreme court OR writ of certiorari (formal appeal)

dual court system

federal and state courts

supreme court judges appointment process

appointed by president, confirmed by senate

probably cause

reasonable grounds (for making a search, pressing charges)

the bill of rights contain what type of rights?

individual

14th amendment/incorporation

due process before rights 1-10 can be taken away: arrested, read rights, speedy trial, and punishment that fits crime

opinions of the court

majority, concurring, and dissenting opinions

free speech

any speech that incites violence or infringes on others rights (slander)

exclusionary rule

can use evidence that is not obtained with search warrant

how can a veto be overridden? sanya

two-thirds vote in vote in the senate and house

how does a bill become a law?

bill introduced → committee hearings → floor action → returned to original house → bill goes to governor → bill becomes law!

filibuster

obstacle a bill faces in senate: unlimited debate time and cloture rule to stop

where can a bill die

in committee

consitituents

those living in state or districts senators and representatives represent

requirements to become a congressperson

house: at least 25 years old, U.S. citizenship 7 years, and reside in the state

senate: at least 30 years old, U.S. citizenship for 9 years, and reside in the state

term lengths and limits fro congress

house 2 years, senate 6 years, and no term limits

what role do committees serve in Congress

divide the workload

gerrymandering

redrawing district lines to favor one political party; it is a racist practice that leads to unfair representation in congress

bicameral layout of congress

two houses, upper chamber senate, senate equal representation, house representation by population, and senate continuous body (2/3 up for election at a time)

pardon

forgiveness of a crime without sentence; executive branch pardons

president’s legislative powers

veto powers and executive orders

why don’t people vote in elections?

feel their vote doesn’t count

who has the power to ratify treaties?

secretary of state advertises president; senate approves

requirements to become president

35 years old, 14 years residence, and natural born citizen

general steps “in path to the White House” ?

announce candidacy, campaign and do well in primaries/caucuses, get political party nomination, election, and electoral college.

“hats”/jobs of the president

chief citizen, commander in chief, chief diplomat, chief executive, chief host, chief legislator, and chief politician

options a president has in regards to a bill becoming a law?

you can sign and pass, refuse to sign, or veto the bill

duties of a vice president

deciding disability/succession and president of senate

cabinet

includes vice president and heads of 15 executive departments

mcculloch v. maryland

necessary and proper; supremacy clause; the federal government has the right and power to set up a federal bank; states do not have the power to tax the federal government

tinker v. des moines

students right to nonviolent protest in school; supreme court ruled that neither students nor teachers “shed their constitutional rights to freedom of freedom of speech/expression at the school.

gideon v. wainwright

free legal counsel (lawyer); guarantees the right to legal counsel for criminal defendants in federal/state courts.

marbury v. madison

judicial review;congress doesn’t have the power to pass laws that override the constitution

miranda v. arizona

read your rights before being arrested; an arrested individual is entitled to rights against self-discrimination and an attorney

mapp v. ohio

need search warrant; evidence seized unlawfully, without a search warrant, can not be used criminal prosectuions in state courts