US Government Review Flashcards

Flashcards for reviewing US government concepts and facts.

Flag Code

A set of recommended guidelines for flag display, not legally binding.

Illinois Constitution: Original Capital

Kaskaskia

General Assembly

The branch of Illinois government that makes laws.

Executive Branch (Illinois)

The branch of Illinois government that enforces laws.

Supreme Court (Illinois)

The branch of Illinois government that interprets laws.

Illinois Voting Qualifications

US Citizen, 18 years old, Resident of IL for 30 days, Registered to vote for 28 days prior to election, Not convicted/in jail

Qualifications for Illinois General Assembly

US Citizen, 21 Years of age, Resident of district for 2 years

Illinois Legislature

Bicameral, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate, known as the General Assembly.

Illinois Governor Qualifications

US Citizen, 25 years of age, Resident of Illinois 3 years, Term lasts 4 years

Illinois Supreme Court Justices

7 Justices. US citizen, Resident of Judicial Unit, Licensed Attorney, Term lasts 10 years

Electoral College

Each state has electors equal to its members in Congress; used to elect the President.

Preamble

Lists purposes and goals for the new government

House of Representatives Qualifications

25 Years old, Citizen for 7 years, Resident of State

Senate Qualifications

30 Years old, Citizen for 9 years, Resident of State

House of Representatives

Sole power to impeach, all revenue bills start here, override veto with 2/3, declare war, make law

Senate

Tries impeachments, approves appointments, ratifies treaties with 2/3, override presidential veto with 2/3, declare war, make law

President Qualifications

35 Years old, 14 year resident, Natural born citizen

President Duties

Commander in Chief, negotiates treaties, grants pardons, appoints federal judges and cabinet members.

Presidential Term

4 Years per term, Limit to 2 terms, Maximum number of years = 10 (22nd Amendment)

Vice President Qualifications

Same as President

Vice President Duties

Becomes next president, presides over Senate, any other functions president chooses to give him

Cabinet

Chosen by President, Approved by Senate. Advises President, runs government bureaucracy

Primary Election

Nominating election in which political parties vote for candidates who will represent their party in the general election

General Election

Election in which voters select the winners for each political office

Electoral College

The people who officially elect the president and vice president

Total Number of Electors

538 (100 senators + 435 representatives + 3 for DC)

Winning the National Election (Electoral College)

The candidate that receives a majority of electors (270 or more wins)

Judicial Branch

Interprets the laws

Supreme Court Term

Life (the purpose is to help eliminate political interference)

Article IV of the Constitution

Relations Among the States

Full Faith and Credit

Each state will honor another's laws, records, and actions.

Article V of the Constitution

Amending the Constitution

Proposing an Amendment

⅔ of Both Houses of Congress or ⅔ of Constitutional Convention

Ratifying an Amendment

¾ of state legislatures or ¾ of state conventions

Article VI of the Constitution

Supremacy of the National Government

Supremacy Clause

The US Constitution is the “Supreme Law of the Land”

Federalism

Political system in which the authority is shared between the National Government, and State Government

Delegated Powers

Powers that belong to the National Gov’t (e.g. coin money, declare war)

Concurrent Powers

Powers that both the National and State Gov’ts share (e.g., provide for public welfare)

Eminent Domain

Gov can take private land, w/ just compensation, for public use

Reserved Powers

Powers that belong to State Gov’t (e.g. establish and maintain schools)

Bill of Rights

First 10 Amendments

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

2nd Amendment

Right to bear arms

4th Amendment

Prevents search and seizures without a warrant

5th Amendment

The right to remain silent and Due process

6th Amendment

Right to a fair and speedy trial

8th Amendment

Prevents cruel and unusual punishment

9th Amendment

Citizens are entitled to their rights

10th Amendment

All powers not granted to the National Government go to states and citizens

13th Amendment

Slavery Prohibited

14th Amendment

Grants Birthright Citizenship

15th Amendment

People cannot be barred from voting based on race

16th Amendment

Allows government to collect taxes based on income

17th Amendment

Established the direct election of senators

19th Amendment

Women's Suffrage

22nd Amendment

Two-Term Limit for President

26th Amendment

Voting age lowered from 21 to 18

Declaration of Independence

Written by Thomas Jefferson in 1776

Articles of Confederation (Strengths)

Declare war, make peace, sign treaties, borrow money, establish an army & navy, organize post office

Articles of Confederation (Weaknesses)

No chief executive, no national court system, no power to draft soldiers, no power to control interstate commerce, no power to enforce treaties, no power to collect taxes from states, no national currency, difficult to pass laws, very difficult to amend the articles