Comprehensive U.S. Government and Politics Review: Constitution, Branches, Civil Rights, and Electoral Systems

What role does the president pro tempore play?

Presides over the Senate.

When did the popular vote to choose electors begin?

In 1824.

How were the President and Vice President elected before 1824?

They were elected separately.

What can the President do regarding the Vice Presidency?

The President can fill a vacant Vice Presidency.

Which Vice Presidents were chosen outside of their party?

Hamlin and Andrew Johnson.

Who was the Vice President under McKinley?

Theodore Roosevelt.

Name one of FDR's Vice Presidents.

Harry S. Truman.

What was a unique feature of the Articles of Confederation?

It was written in 1777 and governed the country until the Constitution was adopted.

What does Article V of the Articles of Confederation state about Congress?

Each state gets one vote in Congress, regardless of population.

What is required for amendments to the Articles of Confederation?

A unanimous vote is needed to amend the Articles.

What was the significance of Article IX, paragraph one?

It states that all foreign policy is to be conducted by Congress.

What does Article II of the Articles of Confederation provide?

Each state is given limited sovereignty.

What was the role of the Committee of the States?

It needs the approval of nine states in Congress.

What was a key difference between the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution?

The Constitution established a stronger central government.

What does Article VI of the Articles of Confederation state about foreign policy?

Only the central government has the authority to conduct foreign policy.

What was the Referendum Paradox?

A situation where one candidate wins the popular vote while another wins the electoral vote.

Which election is known for the Referendum Paradox in 1888?

Harrison vs. Cleveland.

What was the last Referendum Paradox?

Trump vs. Clinton in 2016.

What is a unique feature of the U.S. Constitution regarding the legislative branch?

It has two equal houses with significant power.

How does the American system differ from the Westminster system?

The President is not a part of Congress in the American system.

What was the controversy in the 1876 election?

It involved the Tilden vs. Hayes election and the Referendum Paradox.

What does Article IV, paragraph three of the Articles of Confederation state?

It ensures full faith and credit among states.

What was the role of state legislatures in military appointments according to the Articles?

Military officers, except for general officers, are appointed by state legislatures.

What is a faithless elector?

A member of the electoral college who does not vote for the candidate they pledged to vote for.

What is federalism?

The division between the central government and the regional government.

What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

A compromise where enslaved people were counted as 3/5th of a person for representation in Congress.

What did George Washington warn against in his Farewell Address?

He warned against the dangers of political parties.

What is the concept of pluralism in American politics?

The existence of multiple interest groups that influence political decisions.

What does liberalism react to?

Liberalism is a reaction to feudalism.

What is meant by 'tyranny of the majority'?

A situation where the majority's interests infringe on the rights of the minority.

What does the U.S. Constitution allow regarding slavery?

It allows slavery (Article 1, section 2, clause 3) but ultimately bans it (Amendment 13).

What is the Supremacy Clause?

It establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are the supreme law of the land.

What is the purpose of the Necessary and Proper Clause?

It allows Congress to make all laws necessary for executing its powers.

What does the Tenth Amendment state?

Powers not delegated to the United States are reserved to the states or the people.

What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?

It requires states to recognize the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of other states.

What are the characteristics of totalitarianism?

The belief in the unlimited power of government with no rights or liberties for individuals.

What is the difference between direct democracy and indirect democracy?

Direct democracy involves citizens voting directly on issues, while indirect democracy involves elected representatives making decisions.

What is the social contract theory?

The idea that society exists based on an implicitly agreed set of standards for moral and political behavior.

What is the role of interest groups in American politics?

Interest groups influence political decisions and are essential for candidates to get elected.

What are the main political ideologies in the U.S.?

Conservatism, Liberalism, Libertarianism, and Populism.

What does libertarianism advocate?

Opposition to government action except for protecting liberty and property.

What is the significance of the Mayflower Compact?

It is considered the first American social contract.

What is the concept of laissez-faire?

An economic principle advocating minimal government interference in the free market.

What does the Fourth Amendment protect against?

Unreasonable searches and seizures.

What does the Sixth Amendment guarantee?

The right to a speedy and public trial.

What is the significance of the Eighteenth Amendment?

It prohibited intoxicating liquors in the United States.

What is the definition of populism?

A political ideology that supports high equality and high order.

What is the role of the executive branch as outlined in the Constitution?

It is responsible for enforcing laws and is separate from the legislative and judicial branches.

What is general revenue sharing?

A concept from New Federalism allowing states to use federal funds with fewer restrictions.

What is dual federalism?

A system where the federal government is limited in its involvement in certain areas, contrasting with cooperative federalism.

What is program switching in the context of New Federalism?

The transfer of certain programs, like Medicare and housing, from federal to state governments.

What are the primary responsibilities of the House of Representatives?

Originate revenue bills, impeach officeholders, and elect a president.

What role does the Senate play in impeachment?

The Senate tries impeached officials and requires a 2/3 vote for removal.

What is a filibuster?

A political tactic used in the U.S. Senate to delay or block a vote on a bill through extended debate.

What is required to break a filibuster?

60 votes are needed to invoke cloture and end a filibuster.

What is the process for a bill to become a law?

A bill is introduced, assigned to committees, debated, voted on, sent to a conference committee, and then voted on by the full House/Senate before being signed or vetoed by the President.

What are standing committees?

Permanent panels in Congress that handle specific policy areas.

What is the function of joint committees?

Composed of members from both the House and Senate, they study and oversee specific policies.

What are conference committees?

Temporary committees that negotiate compromises on different versions of the same bill.

Who are the leaders in Congress?

The Speaker of the House, President of the Senate pro-tempore, majority leaders, and minority leaders.

What are the types of congressional representatives?

Trustees, delegates, and politicos.

What is the impeachment process?

Involves drawing up articles against a president, committee votes, House votes, hearings, Senate trial, and final Senate vote.

What established the three-tiered structure of the federal judiciary?

The Judiciary Act of 1789.

What is the jurisdiction of District Courts?

Cases involving the federal government, federal questions, and civil suits exceeding $75,000 between citizens of different states.

What is the role of the U.S. Court of Appeals?

To review decisions from District Courts and has 11 circuits plus the D.C. and federal circuits.

What is original jurisdiction?

The authority of a court to hear a case for the first time, involving trials and evidence.

What is appellate jurisdiction?

The authority of a higher court to review and amend decisions made by lower courts.

What landmark case established judicial review?

Marbury v. Madison (1803).

What was the significance of Gideon v. Wainwright?

It established the right to counsel under the 6th Amendment for defendants unable to afford an attorney.

What were the Articles drawn up against five presidents?

Tyler, Johnson, Nixon, Clinton, and Trump.

What is the role of the Chief Justice during impeachment proceedings?

The Chief Justice presides over the impeachment trial in the Senate.

What is the term limit for the presidency?

Established in 1951, a president can serve a maximum of two terms.

Who were the three U.S. presidents that were impeached?

Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump

What is the Presidential Succession Act of 1947?

It establishes the order of succession to the presidency, starting with the Speaker of the House.

What does the 25th Amendment allow?

It allows the president to replace the vice president.

What are the primary powers of the U.S. president?

Appointments, convening Congress, making treaties, vetoing legislation, presiding over the military, issuing pardons, and executive orders.

What were the four original cabinet departments?

State, Treasury, Defense, and Justice.

Name three cabinet departments added after the original four.

Interior (1849), Agriculture (1889), and Commerce (1903).

What is the role of the Vice President in the Senate?

The Vice President presides over the Senate and breaks tie votes.

What is the difference between yellow journalism and muckraking journalism?

Yellow journalism focuses on foreign policy, while muckraking journalism addresses domestic policy.

What influences political socialization?

Family, school and peers, and mass media.

List three social factors that influence voting behavior.

Religion, race and ethnicity, and age.

What are push polls?

Polls that use loaded questions to push voters toward a specific candidate.

What is a tracking poll?

A poll that tracks trends over periods of time.

What are the types of primary elections?

Closed, open, blanket, non-partisan, and run-off.

What is direct democracy?

A system where citizens vote directly on initiatives and referenda.

What is the Electoral College?

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the president and vice president.

What factors affect voter turnout?

Education, income, age, and race/ethnicity.

What is partisanship?

The strong allegiance to one's own political party.

What are the functions of political parties?

Mobilizing support, providing stability, ensuring accountability, and policy formation.

What is the significance of the Bi-partisan Campaign Reform Act?

It imposed restrictions on soft money donations to political campaigns.

How do interest groups influence elections?

By supplying information, contributing money and time, and mobilizing voters.

What is a PAC?

A Political Action Committee that pools campaign contributions from members to donate to campaigns.

Who founded the Moral Majority?

Jerry Falwell.

What is the role of the Christian Coalition?

To promote conservative Christian values in politics.

What is the difference between multi-issue and single-issue groups?

Multi-issue groups advocate for various policies, while single-issue groups focus on one specific issue.

What is the significance of Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission?

It overturned restrictions on political advertising, allowing for greater spending by corporations and unions.

What are the primary roles of interest groups?

Lobbying Congress, lobbying the executive branch, lobbying courts, grassroots lobbying, and protest activities.

What electoral activities do interest groups engage in?

Candidate recruitment and endorsements, get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts, rating candidates and officeholders, and Political Action Committees (PACs) that raise money.

What characterized early state constitutions?

They strengthened individual rights and had weak governors.