civics

Ist Amendment

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

2nd amendment

right to bear arms

4th amedment

right to privacy--no searches/seizures w/o a warrant and probable cause

5th amendment

Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Self-Incrimination, Due Process, Eminent Domain

6th amendment

The right to a Speedy Trial by jury, representation by an attorney for an accused person

7th amendment

Right to jury in civil trials.

8th Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment

10th amendment

Powers Reserved to the States

13th amendment

abolished slavery

14th amendment

Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws

15th Amendment

Citizens cannot be denied the right to vote because of race,

17th Amendment

Direct election of senators

18th amendment

Prohibition of alcohol

19th amendment

womens right to vote

Suffrage

the right to vote

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

23rd Amendment

DC 3 electoral votes

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes

25th Amendment

(1) Succession of VP if president dies or become incapable to do his job.(2) if there is no VP, president must appoint one, and congress must approve

26th Amendment

lowered the voting age to 18

27th Amendment

congressional pay raises are not begun until the next election

governor

Ned Lamont

speaker of house

Kevin McCarthy

Lieutenant Governor

Susan Bysiewicz

State Representative

Joe Courtney

CT senior senator

Richard Blumenthal

CT Junior Senator

Chris Murphy

Why should we study civics?

Preparing people to become knowledgeable and proactive members of a democratic society

Naturalized citizen

immigrant that has gone through a process where they voluntarily become a US citizen

natural born citizen

someone who was born in the U.S. or born to U.S. citizens

purpose of census

helps make decisions on how to disperse 600 billion funding and reapportion representation for each state

limits of government

constitution,rule of law, rights of the minority, consent of the governed,and seperation of powers

Articles of Confederation

Structure of government The Articles of Confederation served as the first constitution of the United States. This document officially established the government of the union of the thirteen states.

Design of the government under the articles

to keep the federal government small in order to avoid creating another tyrannical ruler
Kept much of the power in state hands

why was the government designed that way

Gave Congress the ability to declare war and sign treaties and not much else

Articles of Confederation: weaknesses

could not collect taxes, no power to enforce laws,no power over trade

Federalist beliefs

For Constitution, strong federal government, nation will fall apart without a stronger government, no need for a bill of rights because every state has a bill of rights

Anti-federalist Beliefs

Against Constitution, needs bill of rights to protect from a strong national government, concerned states have lost all of their power

Virginia Plan

plan that was meant for the more populated states
Bicameral (2 houses) based on population
Lower house elected by people
Upper house chosen by lower house
Executive chosen by both houses (the legislature)

New Jersey Plan

plan was favored by smaller states
Response to VA plan
Restored most of Articles
Equal votes per state
Executive - multiple
Power to tax and collect

CT (Great) Compromise

Bicameral
Senate - 2 votes per state
House - population
Strong executive
Tax and collect taxes

Slave Trade Compromise

Congress could not prohibit the slave trade until 1808, but any imported slaves could be taxed.

⅗ Compromise

Southerners wanted their slaves to count as part of their population north thought that was unfair because they had far fewer slaves. The compromise makes one slave equal ⅗ of a person so for every 5, 3 were counted

why were electoral college made

the FF believed the average citizen was not educated enough to make an informed decision on the presidency.

Electoral College

votes count towards electors who then cast a vote for president. Each state receives an elector amount equal to their representatives plus their senators.

What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

served three primary purposes. The document was meant to tell the colonists that they needed to unite to fight for their rights. It also listed why their actions were justified and gave formal notice to the King. By asserting that the United States was a separate country, it was hoped that foreign countries would recognize the sovereignty of the United States and assist in their fight for Freedom

What were the major beliefs about government contained in the document?

(1) God made all men equal and gave them the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; (2) the main business of government is to protect these rights; (3) if a government tries to withhold these rights, the people are free to revolt and to set up a new government.

Summarize the issues in the grievances?

Taxation w/out representation
Right to a fair trial
Cut off trade
Overall, the idea that the colonies were being ruled over by a tyrannical leader who did not have their best interest at heart

Federalism

Sharing power between the federal and state governments

Popular Sovereignty

Constitutional principle stating that the people hold the power in our government. People hold this power with the ability to vote

Limited Government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

seperation of powers

dividing the powers of government among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Checks and Balances

system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Advantages of Federalism

mass participation, regional autonomy, access to government, innovative methods

Mass Participation

people of all ages and backgrounds can participate by voting on national and local issues

Regional Autonomy

states retain some rights and have choices about public policy issues such as gun control, property rights, abortion

Sovereighty

The authority of a nation-state's right to rule itself

access to government

politicians are in touch with their constituents concerns

innovation

states can be the "laboratories of democracy" testing new policies

Disadvantages of Federalism

lack of consistency, inefficiency, bureaucracy, and expenses

Lack of consistency

Differing policies on issues across the states like gun control and abortion

ineffciency

contradictory and overlapping policies

Bureaucracy

too many efficials and it can result in corruption or stalemate

expense

funding through taxes of duplication of offices and responsiblites

expressed powers

declare war, maintain armed forces, regulate interstate and foreign trade, admit new states, establish post offices, set standard weights and measures, coin money, establish foreign policy, make all laws necessary and proper for carrying out delegated powers

Elastic Clause

permits Congress to make any laws "necessary and proper" to carrying out its powers

neccessary and proper clause

Congress retains the power to pass any law that is neccessary and proper to carry out its constitutional duties

concurrent powers

maintain law and order, levy taxes, borrow money, charter banks, establish courts, provide for public welfare

reserved powers

establisj and maintain schools, establish local governments, regulate business within the state, make marriage laws, provide for public safety, assume other powers not delegated to the national government or prohibited to the states

Ratification of Amendments

Two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress and three-fourths vote of the states or passed by three-quarters of special state conventions

Preamble

union,justice, domestic tranquility, common defense, general welfare, and posterity

Union

Continuously improve the United States

justice

The Constitution set up a court system and other things that ensured people were treated fairly.

domestic tranquility

Constitution will ensure that peace is kept within the borders of the country.

common defense

The government will protect all citizens.

general welfare

The government wants to help those who face issues like poverty and not only favor particular groups of people.

posterity

This means that the government will secure the freedoms of the people living now and the future generations.

bill of rights

first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution

Purpose of the Bill of Rights

insure certain freedoms and rights to the citizens of America

Significance of the Bill of Rights

put limits on what the government could do and control.

Reserved Powers

powers that are not specifically granted to the federal government by the Constitution.

implied powers

Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

governor duties

elected to use executive power to execute the laws of the State, may call special sessions of the Legislature, may recommend legislation and can sign and veto bills.

Local government responsibilities

funding police departments, schools, parks and recreation, zoning ordinances, and various community services such as operating libraries and distributing state or municipal assistance programs.

Initiative

voters may propose new laws or amend existing laws by gathering signatures from registered voters to place the issue on the ballot.

Referendum

A state-level method of direct legislation that gives voters a chance to approve or disapprove proposed legislation or a proposed constitutional amendment.

recall

A procedure removing an elected official from office before the term is up

Council manager form of government

the system of local government that combines the strong political leadership of elected officials in the form of a council or other governing body, with the strong managerial experience of an appointed local government manager.

interest group

An organization of people sharing a common interest or goal that seeks to influence the making of public policy

public interest

Focuses on topics that affect the general public like education, the environment, and politics

economic

Promotes the economic interests of their members in business, labor, and trade organizations

Professional

Advocates for people in a particular profession, such as doctors, lawyers, and teachers

Ideological

Promotes policies based on a set of core political or religious beliefs

lobbying

trying to influence government on behalf of various interest groups

3 ways interest groups can influence government

contribute mone to candidates campaign, lobbyist contact government officals and present research, and interest groups can testify in congressional hearings to help get laws passed

Pros of Interest Groups

check gov't power , raise awareness on issues, Represent members regardless of geography, Research, Helps people become involved in political process

cons of interest groups

-influence can be disproportionate to their size
-occasionally use unethical tactics
-businesses and the wealthy get greater influence on government because they can afford to pay lobbyists

Factions

Political groups that agree on objectives and policies; the origins of political parties.

Plain Folks

Attempting to convince the public that one's views reflect those of the common person

testimonials

the use of satisfied customers and celebrities to endorse a product in advertising