Government Exam Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing key concepts, cases, and documents in US Government.

Federalist 10

Factions are inevitable; a large republic controls them best.

Federalist 51

Separation of powers and checks/balances protect liberty.

Federalist 70

A strong, single executive ensures accountability and energy.

Federalist 78

The Judicial branch is independent and can declare laws unconstitutional.

Brutus I

Anti-Federalist warning against centralized power and a large republic.

Declaration of Independence

Lists grievances and justifies rebellion; based on natural rights.

Articles of Confederation

Weak national government; no power to tax or enforce laws.

U.S. Constitution

Establishes a strong federal structure with three branches.

Letter from Birmingham Jail

MLK defends civil disobedience against unjust laws.

Marbury v. Madison

Created judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland

Congress has implied powers; federal law is supreme.

Schenck v. US

Speech can be limited during wartime (clear and present danger).

Brown v. Board of Education

Racial segregation in schools is unconstitutional.

Engel v. Vitale

School-led prayer violates the Establishment Clause.

Baker v. Carr

Federal courts can hear redistricting cases; 'one person, one vote.'

Gideon v. Wainwright

States must provide attorneys to poor defendants.

Tinker v. Des Moines

Students have free speech at school unless disruptive.

New York Times v. US

Government can't censor press unless a real security threat.

Wisconsin v. Yoder

Religious rights can outweigh state education laws.

Shaw v. Reno

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

US v. Lopez

Limits Congress's use of the Commerce Clause.

McDonald v. Chicago

Incorporated the 2nd Amendment to the states.

Citizens United v. FEC

Corporate funding of political ads is protected speech.

Checks and Balances/Separation of Powers

Limits each branch's power.

Federalism

Power shared between national and state governments.

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists

Strong central gov. vs. state power fears.

Elitism/Pluralism/Hyper-Pluralism

Who has power? Few, many, or too many.

Shay's Rebellion

Showed Articles' weakness.

Virginia/NJ Plan & Great Compromise

Big vs. small state representation.

Judicial Review / Necessary & Proper Clause / Commerce Clause

Key federal powers.

Implied / Enumerated / Concurrent / Reserved / Inherent Powers

Who has what powers?

Privileges and Immunities

States must treat citizens of other states fairly.

Agents of Socialization

Family, school, media, etc. shape views.

American Exceptionalism

Belief that U.S. is unique.

Public Opinion Polling

Measures beliefs; has flaws (bias, sampling).

Media Roles

Watchdog, agenda-setter, scorekeeper.

Linkage Institutions

Connect people to government (parties, media, interest groups).

Political Ideologies

Liberal vs. Conservative beliefs.

Political Efficacy

Belief in your impact on government.

Lobbyists/Special Interest Groups/PACS

Influence policy/lawmakers.

Voting Behavior

Education, age, race, etc. affect turnout.

Caucus/Primaries (open/closed)

Ways to choose candidates.

Party Conventions

Nominate and unify behind candidates.

Electoral College

Winner-take-all; distorts popular vote.

Voter Turnout

Lower in midterms than in presidential elections.

Voting Amendments

Expanded voting rights (15th, 19th, 24th, 26th).

Split-ticket Voting

Voting across party lines.

Party Functions

Organize elections, inform voters, and run the government.

Expressed Powers

Written in Constitution (tax, declare war).

Committees

Specialize and review bills.

House vs. Senate

Size, rules, terms, and powers differ.

Reapportionment / Redistricting / Gerrymandering

Shifting political power in districts.

Delegate / Trustee / Politico Models

How reps make decisions.

Qualifications (Executive)

Natural-born citizen, 35+, 14 years in U.S.

Formal/Informal Powers (Executive)

Veto, treaties vs. executive orders/media use.

22nd / 25th Amendments

Term limits; presidential succession.

War Powers Resolution

Limits the president's military powers.

Checks on the Executive

Congress and courts limit presidential power.