Studied by 2 people
A body of people living in a defined territory, with a government that has power to enforce law without the consent of any higher authority
state
What are the 4 things a state must have in order to be classified as a state?
population, territory, sovereignty, government
CLASSIFYING AS A STATE: (elaborate)
population
every state must have a population
CLASSIFYING AS A STATE: (elaborate)
territory
every state must have land with known and recognized borders
CLASSIFYING AS A STATE: (elaborate)
sovereignty
every state must have absolute power
CLASSIFYING AS A STATE: (elaborate)
government
mechanism through which a state makes and enforces its policies
What are the 3 ways that we classify modern governments?
Who participates in governing process?
distribution of government power
relationship between executive and legislative branches
Which kind of government has strong power placed in central government?
unitary
Which kind of government works better in small countries?
unitary
Which kind of government where power is divided between central and local governments?
federal
Which kind of government works best in large states?
federal
What is an example of a country that has a unitary government?
france
What country has a federal government?
USA
2 types of modern governments
dictatorship and democracy
What are the 3 powers of governments?
legislative, executive, judicial
What role does “legislative” have in a national government?
houses Congress, makes laws
What role does “executive” have in a national government?
has president and vice president, enforces laws
What role does “judicial” have in a national government?
Supreme Court, interprets the laws
What are the two ancient governments that influenced the American government?
Rome and Athens
How did the following documents influence the creation of the American government?
MAGNA CARTA
due process and trial by jury
How did the following documents influence the creation of the American government?
ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS
can’t tax without permission, no excessive bail, no cruel or unusual punishments
How did the following documents influence the creation of the American government?
MAYFLOWER COMPACT
brought law and liberty
How did the following documents influence the creation of the American government?
DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
all people are equal
What is the basic framework of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress was the national government, 1 house in Congress, each state got 1 vote, one of the members of Congress acted as president for a year
Name at least 4 issues with the Articles of Confederation.
national government couldn’t raise an army
every state only got 1 vote regardless of size
no executive or legislative branches
9 of 13 states had to agree on laws
all 13 states had to agree on amendments
national government couldn’t regulate trade
national government couldn’t tax citizens directly
What were the 2 plans put forward by the delegates to change the national government?
Virginia and New Jersey Plan
What were the keypoints of the Virginia Plan?
representation based on state population
3 branches of government
members of Senate are chosen by the House
rewrite Articles of Confederation
What are the keypoints of the New Jersey Plan?
keep Articles and just revise
each state equally represented
What was the compromise that was reached to form a new national government?
Connecticut Compromise
What are the keypoints of the Connecticut Compromise?
2 houses- 1 based off state population and the other is equally represented
3 equal branches of government
Congress could regulate interstate trade
What is the basic layout of the Constitution?
preamble, 7 articles, amendments
divides the power between the federal government and state governments
federalism
Why did the Framers decide on a federal government?
bc of the issues with the Articles
What are 3 powers given to the federal government?
raise military
tax individuals
regulate interstate trade
What are 3 powers denied to the federal government?
conduct illegal searches
prohibit freedom of speech
tax states
What are 3 powers given to the state governments?
set up schools
control police power
collect taxes from individuals
What are 3 powers denied to the state government?
can’t print money
tax agencies of national government
can’t be in a treaty or alliance
What is limited government?
type of government that limits what the government can do
Why did the Framers decide to limit the powers of the federal government?
To prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful
What are the 2 ways that Amendments are added to the Constitution?
formal and informal
What is the formal way of amending the Constitution?
where two-thirds of the house or senate votes to propose the amendment
What are the 5 informal ways of amending the Constitution?
1. basic legislation 2. Executive Action 3. Custom and Usage 4. Court Decisions 5. Political Parties
What are the 3 powers of the federal government?
implied, inherent, expressed
Implied powers
come from the expressed powers
Expressed powers
come from the Constitution
Inherent powers
powers that belong to the government bc it’s the national government
Why did the framers of the Constitution add the Bill of Rights?
didn’t want to have to rewrite the Constitution
What is amendment #1?
Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, petition
What is amendment #2?
Right to bear arms
What is amendment #3?
No quartering of soldiers
What is amendment #4?
Freedom of unreasonable search and seizure
What is amendment #5?
Right to due process of law
What is amendment #6?
Right to a speedy and public trial
What is amendment #7?
Right to a trial by jury in civil cases
What is amendment #8?
Freedom from excessive bail, cruel and unusual punishment
What is amendment #9?
other rights to the people
What is amendment #10?
rights reserved to the states
CIVIL LIBERTIES OR RIGHTS:
protections against the government and guarantee safety of persons, opinions, and property
civil liberties
CIVIL LIBERTIES OR RIGHTS:
associated with the positive acts of government and guarantee a reality for all people
civil rights
When are times that different constitutional rights come into conflict with one another?
if practicing a religion requires a sacrifice
How are the states affected by the Constitution? What amendment set this up?
Any powers not listed in Constitution either go to the people or states; 10
What does separation of church and state mean?
can’t influence or interfere with one another
Does the US support religion?
yes
What are the 2 parts of Free exercise of religion?
everyone has the right to believe whatever they want
can’t violate criminal laws, offend public morals, or threaten community safety
What are the two purposes of Freedom of Speech?
Guarantee each person a right of free expression in the spoken and written word
Guarantee to all persons a wide- ranging discussion of public affairs
to organize to influence public policy
assemble
bring one’s views to the attention of public officials
petition
right to join with others to promote political, economic, and social causes…. freedom of ______
association
What is due process?
government isn’t allowed to take away people’s rights
What are the two different types of due process?
procedural and substantive
TYPE OF DUE PROCESS:
the methods/ the how of governmental action must be fair
procedural
TYPE OF DUE PROCESS:
the meaning/ the what of the law or action must be fair
substantive
How does the 13th Amendment affect society?
ended all slavery
How is the 4th Amendment upheld today?
Police must have a warrant
You must have evidence of the crime in order to get a warrant
What is the impact of Mapp vs Ohio?
exclusionary rule
What is the exclusionary rule?
evidence gained from an unwarranted areas cannot be used in state or federal court
What are the rights of the accused?
right to jury, no double jeopardy, no self incrimination, right to a fair trial, and protection against taking property illegally
How is the government limited when it comes to Individual rights?
There are fewer laws based off of what individuals can do and not do
What are defined as cruel and unusual punishments?
drawing and quartering, crucifixion, burning at the stake
Is capital punishment considered cruel and unusual punishment?
no
What does Congress do?
write and pass laws
How are the two houses broken up in Congress?
House of Reps and Senate
How many members does the House of Reps have?
435
How many members does the Senate have?
100
How is the representation in the House of Reps determined?
population of the state
How is the representation in the Senate determined?
2 per state
What term are most House members on?
4th
What term are most Senators on?
2nd
3 formal qualifications for House of Reps
at least 25
resident of your state
citizen for at least 7 years
3 formal qualifications for the Senate
at least 30
resident of your state
citizen for at least 9 years
How long are the terms for House of Reps?
2 years
How long are the terms for Senate
6 years
What are the five roles of Congress?
legislator
agent of the constituents
committee member
politician
servant of the constituents
ROLE OF CONGRESS:
bills they’ve sponsored
legislator
ROLE OF CONGRESS:
support the needs of their state with what they sponsor
agent of the constituents
ROLE OF CONGRESS:
serve on committees that screen proposals for floor consideration
committtee member
ROLE OF CONGRESS:
have a way to assist people in their district with ceremonial tasks or legal issues
servant of the constituents
ROLE OF CONGRESS:
Are they sponsoring, voting/not voting for bills that aid their party over their state?
politician
What are the 3 kinds of powers that Congress has?
expressed, inherent, and implied
What are examples of expressed powers?
money powers, war powers, domestic powers
Note 
Flashcard (294)