Civics EOC Key Ideas Cheat Sheet

Flashcards to help study for the Civics EOC exam.

What is popular sovereignty?

People are the source of any and all government power.

What is limited government?

A government that has limits to its power placed on it by the people.

What is the rule of law?

The government and those who govern are bound by law; no one is above the law.

What is federalism?

Powers of government divided between state and national.

What are Checks & Balances?

Ways for the branches to keep each other from becoming too powerful.

What is Separation of Powers?

Dividing the powers of government up into different branches, so each one has a job.

How does the 14th Amendment define citizenship?

All persons born or naturalized in the U.S., and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the U.S. and the state wherein they reside.

What are the means of obtaining citizenship?

Birth (Law of Blood & Law of Soil) and Naturalization.

What are the duties/obligations of citizens?

Obey Laws, Pay Taxes, Register for selective service (male), Serve on a jury, Serve in the armed forces if called.

What are the responsibilities of citizens?

Register and vote, Hold elective office, Participate in political campaigns, Serve in voluntary, appointed positions, Influence gov't by communicating with gov't officials, Keep informed regarding current issues, Respect others' rights to equal voice in gov't.

What are ways for citizens to participate in community service?

Volunteer to support democratic institutions, Express concern about the welfare of the community as a whole, Help make the community a good place to work and live.

What freedoms are guaranteed in the 1st Amendment?

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

What right is described in the 2nd Amendment?

Right to bear Arms.

What does the 3rd Amendment protect against?

No quartering of troops.

What protection is provided by the 4th Amendment?

No illegal searches and seizures.

What are the protections included in the 5th Amendment?

Rights of the Accused: Grand Jury, Double Jeopardy, Freedom from self-incrimination, Due Process, Eminent Domain.

What are the protections included in the 6th Amendment?

More rights of Accused: Know charges, Know witnesses, Speedy public trial with impartial jury, Right to legal counsel (lawyer).

What right is described in the 7th Amendment?

Right to jury trial in civil cases.

What does the 8th Amendment protect against?

No cruel or unusual punishment, freedom from excessive fines/bail.

What does the 9th Amendment state?

People have rights even if not mentioned in Constitution.

What does the 10th Amendment state?

Powers not given to federal government left for states.

What influence did the Magna Carta have on the development of the United States of America?

Limited government, rule of law, due process.

What influence did the English Bill of Rights have on the development of the United States of America?

Limited government (monarchy), rule of law.

What influence did the Mayflower Compact have on the development of the United States of America?

Self-government; created government, new government will include everyone and serve the common good.

What influence did Common Sense have on the development of the United States of America?

Self-government, purpose of government; explained arguments for independence from England.

What influence did the Articles of Confederation have on the development of the United States of America?

Maintained that major powers were with the independent states. Weakness of central government led to writing of the Constitution of the U.S.A.

What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison?

Establishes judicial review.

What did the Supreme Court rule in the case Plessy v. Ferguson?

Segregation okay as long as separate, but equal.

What idea did Marbury v. Madison in 1803 establish?

Established the idea of judicial review at the national level.

What are the steps to amend the Constitution?

2/3 of Congress must vote for the amendment, then 3/4 of all state legislatures must vote to ratify.

What are the powers reserved for the states?

The powers not given to the national government by the Constitution are reserved for the states.

What are the responsibilities of Local Legislative branch of government?

Makes ordinances for community, approves annual budget; limits power to that delegated by state.

What are the responsibilities of FL Legislative branch of government?

Makes laws for FL; approves budget; exercises power under 10th Amendment.

What are the responsibilities of the National Legislative branch of government?

Makes laws for nation; approves annual budget; approves presidential appointments/treaties; impeaches officials.

What does "Bicameral" mean?

It means "two houses".

What are the legislative powers over the executive branch?

Overriding vetoes, impeachment, treaty approval, and approving appointments.

What are the executive powers over the legislative branch?

Vetoes, calling special sessions, and appointments.

What is an example of Judicial power?

Declaring laws or presidential acts unconstitutional.

What are the qualifications for President?

Natural Born Citizen, 35 years old, Resident of U.S. 14 years.

What are the qualifications for U.S. Senator?

30 years old, Citizen of the U.S. for 9 years, Resident of the state you represent.

What are the qualifications for U.S. Representative?

25 years old, Citizen of the U.S. for 7 years, Resident of the state/district you represent.

What are the qualifications to register to vote in Florida?

Citizen of the U.S., Resident of FL & precinct, 18 years old by day of general election.

What factors predict which citizens will vote?

Education, Age, Income.

What are the functions of Political Parties?

Recruiting and nominating candidates, Educating the electorate about campaign issues, Helping candidates with elections, Monitoring the actions of office holders.

What is a one-party system?

A single political party controls the government.

What happens in the Electoral College Process?

Electors must meet to vote for President and Vice President; winner-take-all system leads to targeting of large states for campaigning.

What views do people in the Constitution Third Party have?

Interpret the founding fathers' original intent in the Constitution.

What views do people in the Libertarian Third Party have?

Emphasize individual liberties with no government interference.

What are third parties?

Smaller political parties in a two-party system that don't usually receive a lot of attention, but can influence national politics.

What are political parties?

Groups of individuals who come together because they share similar views in order to change things in government.

What is the Democratic Party's view on the role of government?

Larger role in people's lives -power of gov't to provide high-quality public education, affordable health care, and growing economy.

What is the Republican Party's view on the role of government?

Lesser role in people's lives - stand for less gov't interference, more private enterprise (business), lower taxes, a strong foreign policy, and greater personal freedom.

What is the jurisdiction of the United States Supreme Court?

Appellate & Limited Original.

What is the role of Local Government?

Meets local concerns and provides most services to everyday citizens.

What is the role of Federal Government?

Meets national needs.

What is the role of State Government?

Meets statewide needs.

What was the significance of Shays' Rebellion?

Shays' Rebellion convinced nation to get rid of Articles of Confederation and hold a convention.

What was the Great Compromise?

Agreement that led to our bicameral legislature.

What are the steps in the Trial Process?

Jury Selection, Opening Statements, Testimony & Evidence, Closing Arguments, Jury Instructions, Jury Deliberation.

What events lead to the American Revolution?

Many events were Acts that led to taxes being placed on colonists without them getting their representation in parliament.

What is a confederal system of government?

Power located in states and little power in the central government.

What is a federal system of government?

Power is shared between the central government the states.

What is anarchy?

Absence of any form of government.

What is a monarchy?

King or queen rules.

What is communism?

Government owns and controls everything.

What is democracy?

Political power resides with the people (voting) rule of the people.

What is Foreign Policy?

Any government policy that concerns foreign countries and events taking place outside of the U.S.

What is diplomacy?

The process of conducting relations between countries. Aim is to compromise.

What is coercive diplomacy?

Forcing a country to do something positive by threatening them with military force.

What are economic sanctions?

Banning trade & other business with a country that is violating international rules.

What is Domestic Policy?

Any government policy that concerns affairs/issues within the country.

What is an intergovernmental organization?

Organization composed of several nations or organizations.

What is the purpose of joining international organizations?

Show support for peace & cooperation among nations.

What is a non-governmental organization?

International organization that governments can't join, but individuals and corporations can.

What is an alliance?

An agreement between two or more countries to defend each other if one is attacked

What is a treaty?

Agreement between two or more countries.

When was the Bay of Pigs?

April 1961.

When was the Cuban Missile Crisis?

October 1962.