Purdue University Civics Literacy Exam

Limited Government

The government can only do what the constitution allows

Rule of Law

A principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

Checks and Balances

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

Separation of Powers

Division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Legislative branch

Makes laws

Executive branch

Enforces laws

Judicial branch

Interprets the laws

Declaration of Independence

Signed in 1776 declaring the United States as a free state.

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

Great compromise

1787; Gave power to congress, created electoral college, house of reps, and supreme court

electoral college

number depends on state population

supreme court

consists of 9 justices appointed by president and confirmed by congress.

3/5ths clause

1787; stated that slaves counted as 3/5 of a person when speaking of state population for representation

senators are elected how?

elected in statewide election

senator terms

6 years

how many senators up for election each year

1/3

how many members of senate

100

house of representatives elected every __ years

2

how many members of house

435

death penalty

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

19th amendment

1920; women right to vote

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.

Gerrymandering

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

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 does a bill become a law

It has to be passed by both houses, voted on,and the president has to sign off on it

what happens if president vetoes a law

congress can override with 2/3 vote

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.

impeachment process

1. House passes articles of impeachment by majority

2. Senate tries and 2/3 must convict

requirements to be president

35 years old, natural-born citizen, US resident for 14 years

supreme court established in

1869

how many justices in supreme court

9

who can remove supreme justices

senate

1st amendment

freedom of speech

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

14th Amendment

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

fundamental rights

rights so basic that any governmental interference with them is suspect and likely to be unconstitutional

13th Amendment (1865)

Abolition of slavery w/o compensation for slave-owners

15th Amendment (1870)

U.S. cannot prevent a person from voting because of race, color, or creed

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes

Voting Rights Act of 1965

a law designed to help end formal and informal barriers to African-American suffrage

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18

republic

A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

3rd amendment

No quartering of soldiers

4th Amendment

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

5th Amendment

The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process

6th Amendment

Right to a speedy trial

7th Amendment

Right to jury in civil trials.

8th Amendment

No cruel or unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

10th Amendment

Powers Reserved to the States

11th Amendment

One State cannot be sued by another state

12th Amendment

separation of votes for President and Vice President

14th Amendment

Rights of Citizens

16th Amendment

Allows the federal government to collect income tax

17th Amendment

Direct election of senators

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol

20th Amendment

Commencement of Terms; Sessions of Congress; Death or Disqualification of President-Elect

21st Amendment

Repeal of Prohibition

22nd Amendment

Limits the president to two terms.

23rd Amendment

gave residents of Washington DC the right to vote

24th Amendment

Abolishes poll taxes

25th Amendment

Presidential succession