CIVICS LITERACY

civic life

the public life of the citizen concerned with the affairs of the community and nation

Limited Government

the government has only the powers granted to it in the constitution, and it can only conduct actions permitted by the constitution. in other words these are established and respected restraints on government power.

Rule of Law

an essential component of limited government. society is governed according to widely known and accepted rules followed not only by government but also by those in authority.

Checks and Balances

The Constitutionally granted power for one branch of government to block action by an equal branch of government. The Constitution specifies instances in which one of the three branches can stop action by another.

Declaration of Independence

the public act by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of Britain.

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781

power was in the states (provide troops and money, own currency, own tarrifs. tax goods) Took agreement of 9 states before the government could act and every state had to agree before articles were to change.

Great Compromise or Connecticut compromise (revised constitution)

1787 combined Virginia and New Jersey plans calling for bicameral legislature or two houses. house of representatives in which larger states had more representatives and the senate where each state had 2 senators regardless of population. creation of electoral collage and Supreme Court power to congress not states (raise taxes, coin money, regulate commerce between state and foreign, pass necessary and proper laws, war power, ability to amass forces to fight war, power to declare war, president was comander in chief)

Electoral College

the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice

Supreme Court

Consists of nine justices, each appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress. approval by the senate. Appointment is for life. Supreme Court exercises the power to determine constitutionality of laws.

3/5ths clause 1787

Method the Constitution laid out for counting the populations among Southern states for "proportional" representation in Congress, slaves would not be citizens but counted as 3/5 of a person, South wanted slaves to count because then they'd have more representation but the North didn't. so out of 5 slaves it accounted 3 people.

Legislative Branch

the branch of government that makes the laws

Judicial Branch

the branch of government, including the federal court system, that interprets the nation's laws

Executive Branch

the branch of government that carries out laws

president and vice president

elected by electoral college, serve 4 year terms

senators

elected in state wide election, serve 6 year terms, 1/3 is up for election each year, 100 members, ratify treaties and vote on presidential appointments, elected by the people

House of Representatives

the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population. elected every 2 years, 435 members, run congressional districts formed within individual states

death penelty

new York was first state to adopt electrocution method. the Supreme Court has not ruled any specific method.

Federalism

a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states, states can experiment with different polices

19th Amendment (1920)

Gave women the right to vote, prior to this wyoming grated right in 1869

Redistricting, The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population. (completed every 10 years)

gerrymandering

politicians in charge of redistricting decide to redraw the districts in such a way to give them an advantage over their opponents.

State of the union

An annual speech in which the president addresses Congress to report on the condition of the country and recommend policies.

How a bill becomes a law

1. written 2. discussed in committee + voted 3. discussed in House of Reps. and Senate + voted on in both 4. President signs it or vetoes it (which brings back to Congress, needs 2/3 vote to override veto)

filibuster

A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue by talking non stop. today referred to as "Opose Cloture"

Process of impeachment

House brings charges against president (needs majority vote)

Factors that influence congress votes

1. party members can pressure to think one way v. another 2. the position of the president can influence 3. interest groups will lobby members of congress to get them to vote a certain way 4. Listening to constituents (the voters) 5. the individuals own opinion

Requirements to be President

1. at least 35 years old 2. lives in US >14 years 3. natural born citizen

powers of president

1. appointment of judges and justices to federal courts, department heads, and ambassadors 2.removal from office of cabinet members and ambassadors (but NOT judges/justices) for inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance 3.can convene congress 4.state of the union addresses 5.diplomat in chief 6.veto power and pocket veto 7.commander in chief of the army and navy 8. power (with senate approval) to make treaties 9. power to pardon individuals (except in cases of impeachment) 10. power to recommend legislation 11. power to veto

Freedom of speech (1st amendment)

protects freedom of the press, individuals can join together in groups, and freedom of speech

Freedom of Religion

people shall be free to exercise their religion, and government may not establish a religion

Sherbert Test

a standard for deciding whether a law violates the free exercise clause; a law will be struck down unless there is a "compelling governmental interest" at stake and it accomplishes its goal by the "least restrictive means" possible (today no longer applies to states but to federal)

fundamental rights

a group of rights that have been recognized by the Supreme Court as requiring a high degree of protection from government encroachment (example is right to marry)

Decloration of Sentiments

This document detailed beliefs about social injustice toward women

Voting Rights Act of 1965

a policy designed to reduce the barriers to voting for those suffering discrimination.

unlimited government

a government without effective means of restraining its power

Republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting or delegates to make laws

what is a major role of political parties in the United States

to nominate candidates to run in elections

3rd Ammendment of the US Constitution?

Protection from quartering of troops

4th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

Protection from unreasonable search and seizure

5th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

Due process, double jeopardy, self

6th ammendment (criminal)

right to speedy and public trial, impartial jury, right to a lawyer, must be informed of what they're accused of

7th Amendment

Right to trial by jury

8th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

Prohibition of excessive bail, as well as cruel or unusual punishment.

9th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights

10th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

Powers of states and people. Anything not in the constitution is left to the states.

Eleventh Amendment

When states sue other states, it automatically goes before the Supreme Court. Residents of one state cannot sue another state. Another country can't sue the US and vice verse.

12th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

Changes the method of presidential elections so that members of the electoral college cast separate ballots for president and vice president.

13th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

abolishes slavery

14th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1868): Defines United States citizenship; prohibits states from abridging citizens' privileges or immunities and right to due process and the equal protection of the law; repeals the three

15th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1870): Prohibits the federal government and the states from using a citizen's race, color, or previous status as a slave as a qualification for voting.

16th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1913): Authorizes unapportioned federal taxes on income.

17th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1913): Establishes direct election of senators.

18th Ammendment (1919)

Prohibited the manufacture, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages

19th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

Gave women the right to vote

20th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1933): Changes details of Congressional and presidential terms and of presidential succession. (lame duck ammendment)

21st Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1933): Repeals Eighteenth Amendment but permits states to retain prohibition and ban the importation of alcohol.

22nd Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1951): Limits president to two terms.

23rd Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1961): Grants presidential electors to the District of Columbia.

24th Ammendment (1964)

prohibited poll taxes

25th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

(1967): Changes details of presidential succession, provides for temporary removal of president, and provides for replacement of the vice president.

26th Ammendment of the US Constitution?

lowered the voting age to 18