Government Course Review #2

review for the semester, part 2

1st Amendment rights

freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of the press, right to assemble and the right to petition the government with a list of grievances

president

The head of the executive branch at the federal level

governor

the head of a state government's executive branch

impeachment

An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing "Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors."

veto

a constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body; bill does not become law

scientific polling

method of measuring a fairly precise reading of public opinion by using random sampling

measuring public opinion

can be biased, unreliable, or change quickly

Miranda warnings

Warnings that police must read to suspects prior to questioning that advises them of their rights - right to remain silent, anything said can be used against you, right to an attorney

4th amendment

rights against unreasonable search and seizure without a warrant (Mapp v Ohio)

5th amendment

citizens are protected against double jeopardy, citizens are protected against self-incrimination & citizens are given the right of due process of the law (Miranda v Arizona)

6th amendment

the accused shall have the right to a speedy and public trial, to be told what they are being accused of and to confront the witnesses against them (Gideon v Wainwright)

Popular Sovereignty

a government is created and sustained by the consent of the people

Federalism

this divides power between a national and state governments

Judicial Review

This is a court's authority to examine an executive or legislative act and to decide if that act follows constitutional principles (Marbury v Madison)

Limited Government

An American philosophy that states that the government must be limited in power if individual freedoms are to be safeguarded

Checks and Balances

A system used to keep the government from getting too powerful in one branch

Separation of Powers

executive, legislative, and judiciary powers of government should be divided into different branches so as to balance the powers of each

political party

An alliance of like-minded people who work together to win elections and control of the government

media

A means of mass communication, such as television, radio, newspapers, and the Internet

How is the goal "...in order to form a more perfect union..." in the Preamble carried out in our lives?

the Constitution gives a vast range of power to the national government

How is the goal "...establish justice..." in the Preamble carried out in our lives?

The Constitution creates an equal and fair nation, no matter the person's race, religion, gender, country of origin, political views, or financial situation

How is the goal "...ensure domestic tranquility..." in the Preamble carried out in our lives?

The Constitution created local governments, along with state governments, and they are allowed to use their own police to enforce national laws within their own borders

How is the goal "...provide for the common defense..." in the Preamble carried out in our lives?

The Constitution gives congress enough power to raise and support Armies and to provide and maintain a Navy

How is the goal "...promote the general welfare..." in the Preamble carried out in our lives?

As an example, the Social Security system has made sure that all workers will receive income upon their retirement

How is the goal "...secure the blessings of liberty..." in the Preamble carried out in our lives?

As an example, the Constitution has kept liberty safe by giving the people the right to vote

How does the media offer voters a part in the political process?

The media can play a role in the political process by identifying candidates and emphasizing selected issues

How do political parties offer voters a part in the political process?

Political parties can play a role in the political process for citizens by allowing them to vote in local, state, and national elections, by participating in political discussions and by trying to persuade someone to vote a certain way

Interest groups

Allowing US citizens to make their ideas, needs, and views known to elected officials through collective groups with similar interests

Bill to Law Process

a bill can be introduced in either the House or the Senate; debates on both floors of Congress as well as in committees; president can either sign the bill into law or veto it

Constitution

It is the document on which our current government is based.

Northwest Ordinance

Outlined the process for admitting a new state to the Union, and guaranteed that newly created states would be equal to the original thirteen states.

Articles of Confederation

Created a loose confederation of states with a weak central government, leaving most of the power with the state governments.

Declaration of Independence

Contains the ideals or goals of our nation, the complaints of the colonists against the British king, the arguments the colonists used to explain why they wanted to be free of British rule

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 letters written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay between 1787 and 1788. These letters were sent to newspapers with a goal of promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.