federal government final

Natural rights

Life, liberty, pursuit of happiness

Popular sovereignty

Power comes from the people

Purpose of Declaration of Independence

Asserting right to self govern, announcing the 13 colonies are separating from Great Britain

How does the Declaration of Independence continue to influence modern conversations about democracy

Its ideas served as a blueprint for democratic revolutions worldwide

2 reasons the colonists wanted to declare independence

1. Taxation without representation

2. Waging war against its own citizens

How did the founders of the US address their complaints about the British government in the constitution

Taxation without representation: by establishing a bicameral legislative with representatives elected BY THE PEOPLE

No trial by jury: guaranteeing the right to trial by jury in criminal cases

kings refusal to assent to laws: outline a process for laws to be passed, including presidential veto and congressional override

The Declaration of Independence says that “all men are created equally what does this mean and who was excluded from that phrase when the US was founded

It means only white men who had power or money, excluding women, native Americans, and enslaved people

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided and shared between national government, and state government

Anti-federalism

The belief that the US constitution gave too much power to the national government and that states and individuals needed more protection of their rights

Constitution

FEDERALIST- establishes, structure, divides power, and outlines fundamental rights

Bill of rights

ANTIFEDERALIST- protects citizens from governments, protects individual freedoms (amendments)

Strong central government

FEDERALIST- federal government that has significant power + authority over the states to make and enforce laws for the entire country

Strong state governments

ANTI-FEDERALIST, a system where individual states have most of the power to make and enforce their own laws, with limited control from federal governments

Bicameral legislative branch

FEDERALIST- house of reps, senate. A lawmaking body made up of 2 separate chambers, who make laws

Constitutional principles- popular sovereignty

People have the power to make decisions about their own government, choose and elect leaders

Constitutional principles- rule of law

Everyone, even leaders must follow the law

Constitution principles- consent to be governed

The government gets power from the people’s permission by voting

Constitutional principles- separation of powers

Government power is split into different branches so not one group has to much control

Federalism

Power is shared between national and state governments

Federalism- division of powers

The way government power is split between the national + state government

Federalism- expressed powers

Powers that are clearly written in the constitution for the federal government

Federalism- Concurrent powers

(Shared) powers that both the federal and states governments share

Creating the constitution and federalism- why is the division of powers important to the idea of federalism

It balances out power between federal and state government

Who had power to do the following , collect taxes

Both

Who has power to do the following, issues drivers licenses

State

Who had power to do the following, print money

Federal

Who has power to do the following, declare war

Federal

Who has power to do the following, regulate interstate (multiple states) commerce

Federal

Who has power to do the following, conduct elections

Both

Who has power to do the following, eminent domain

Both federal and state government

What is eminent domain

state or federal government takes private property for public use with compensation

What is the purpose of the bill of rights

To protect individual rights from government infringement by guaranteeing your rights.

Why are the 5 rights protected by the first amendment

Speech

Religion

Press

Assembly

Petition

What is stated in the 10th amendment? What does it mean

Powers that are not given to the federal government belong to the states and people’s rights

In what ways does understanding the bill of rights help us be informed citizens and protect democracy

By empowering people to recognize, excesses and defend their fundamental rights. (Knowledge of rights, holding government accountable)

What is due process

guaranteeing fair treatment under the law establishing all legal procedures before taking away life, liberty, and property

How does the bill of rights protect the privacy of citizens

Sets clear limits on government power ensuring that people have co fell over their personal lives, homes, and information

3 branches of government- what is the fundamental principle in our government illustrated by separating our government into 3 branches.

Called separation of powers, so no one single branch gets to much power

Legislative branch

Congress, makes the law

Executive branch

Presidential + agencies, enforces law

Judicial branch

Courts, interpret the law

Separation of powers- which branch can do the following things, pass laws

Legislative branch ( congress )

Separation of powers- which branch can do the following things, veto bills

Executive branch (presidential + agencies)

Separation of powers- which branch can do the following things, declare wars

Legislative branch ( congress)

Separation of powers- which branch can do the following things, judicial reviews

Judicial branch

Separation of powers- which branch can do the following things, negotiate treaties

Executive branch

Separation of powers- which branch can do the following things, appoint federal judges

Executive branch

Separation of powers- which branch can do the following things, confirm executive nominees appointments

Executive branch

Checks and balances, why is the system of checks and balances important

No one branch of government can act on its own. Each CHECK each other

Checks and balances- How does the legislative branch check the executive branch

Legislative branch (congress) can change laws, approve judges, or even removes through impeachments

How does the judicial branch check the executive and legislative branches

By using judicial review- can declare laws from legislative or actions by the executive branches unconstitutional

How does the executive branch check and influence the legislative branch

The executive branch can stop laws made by legislative branches with a veto and can suggest new laws it wants congress to pass

Why is our legislative branch called bicameral structure

Bi=2

Cameral= chambers

The senate and house of reps share the job

Legislative chambers- senate total numbers

100 senators (50 states x 2 elected senators = 100 senators)

Legislative chambers - senate number of members per state

Every states has 2 senators for a total of 100 senators

Legislative chambers - senate, how the number is determined

States elect 2 senators every 6 years

House of reps - total number of members

435

House of reps Number of members per state

Determined based on population of state

How the number of members is determined

all seats up for election every 2 years

Correct order for a bill to become a law

Congress

Committee

Debated

Signed by president

If a bill is passed by one half of congress what happens next

Must go through the other house to go through the same Process

Executive branch- role of the presidents cabinet

A group of the presidents top advisors labeled as secretary’s (secretary of state..) that carry out and enforce laws

List the roles of the president

Chief executive-

Commander in chief- us armed forceS

Chief legislator - influences law passed by congress

Chief diplomat- managed foreign policy

Chief of state

Guardian of economy

What is the electoral college

Process made up of 538 electors who formally cast votes for president

Voters choose electors → electors vote for president → candidate with 270 or more electoral votes becomes president

Advantages of electoral college

Protects influence of smaller states

Advantages of electoral College

It encouraged candidates to seek support from many regions, promoting national unity

Disadvantages of electoral college

A candidate can win without popular vote, several states by small margins while other states won big in fewer states

Disadvantages of electoral college

Candidates focus mainly on swing states leaving others with less influence

What are 3 levels of the federal court system

1 district courts lowest level-

2 courts of appeal middle level-

3 Us supreme courts highest level

How many justices in Supreme Court

9 justices

How long does a justice serve

Life terms to ensure their independence from political pressures

Who nominates a justice to serve in court

The president

Define judicial review

Power of the courts to decide if a law or government action goes against the constitution

What does the phrase “by the people, for the people” mean

That the government is run by ordinary citizens and works to sever and protect them not just the leaders

Why is it important to know who your elected officials are ?

They make decisions that affect your life and knowing them helps hold them Accountable And speak up about what matters

Why is boring a direct method for citizens to be involved in the government

Because it lets people choose their leaders and have a say in the laws an decisions that affect their lives

What role does the federal government play in elections

helps set national elections laws, protect voting rights. And make sure elections and fair and secure