Civics Exam Review-People, Terms, Articles of the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Supreme Court Cases

This does not contain the Short Answer/Listing or the Essay questions, but you also need to know those.

a federalist member of the Constitutional Convention who helped write the federalist papers. He is known as the "Father of the Constitution" and was the 4th president of the U.S.

James Madison (Lil' Jimmy)

a federalist member of the Constitutional Convention who wrote a large amount of the federalist papers.

Alexander Hamilton

First chief justice of the Supreme Court and a federalist who helped write a small amount of the federalist papers

John Jay

First President of the United States and the president of the Constitutional Convention

George Washington

wrote the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, was the 3rd U.S. president, and was in favor of the constitution but argued for a Bill of Rights

Thomas Jefferson

federalist member of the Constitutional Convention from Pennsylvania who helped define America's Republic

Benjamin Franklin

member of the Constitutional Convention who came up with the Great Compromise; from Connecticut

Roger Sherman

member of the Constitutional Convention who presented the Virginia Plan

Edmund Randolf

member of the Constitutional Convention representing New Jersey who presented the New Jersey Plan

William Patterson

member of the Constitutional Convention from Pennsylvania; signed the Articles of Confederation and wrote the Preamble

Gouverneur Morris

chief justice of the U.S.; wrote the Court's opinion in Marbury v. Madison, which helped establish checks and balances

John Marshall

first African American Supreme Court Justice

Thurgood Marshall

First female Supreme Court Justice

Sandra Day O'Connor

type of government with no representatives; citizens are directly involved in the day-to-day work of governing the country

Democracy (direct)

type of government where citizens elect leaders to represent their rights and interests in government

Democracy (Representative)

a type of government where people elect representatives, but they must operate within strict constitutional limits. The majority doesn't always get what they want

Constitutional Republic

a type of government where the ruler (king, queen, etc.) has complete power over the government and is not limited by constitution or laws. The ruler makes all major decisions without needing approval from others

Monarchy (absolute)

a type of government where the ruler's (king, queen, etc.) powers are limited by a constitution or laws. Real governing power belongs to elected officials (prime minister, parliament) while the ruler serves mostly ceremonial functions

Monarchy (constitutional)

a form of government where power rests with a small group of people

oligarchy

a system of government where religious leaders control the state and religious law serves as civil law

Theocracy

a type of government where a single leader holds absolute power and has control over all aspects of public and private life. The ruler makes decisions without needing approval and often uses force to stay in power

Dictatorship/Totalitarianism

a type of government where either nobody is in control or everyone is, depending on your view of it. It is an out-of-control mob that doesn't have any government system

anarchy

This is when the majority group chooses to put something in place, such as a law, even if it violates the rights of the minority

Tyranny of the Majority

this is the idea that what the majority wants, the majority gets, regardless of constitution or laws

majority rule

In 1777, these created a democratic republic and established a national government while still preserving most state powers

Articles of Confederation

a meeting in Pennsylvania that created a newer and stronger government

constitutional convention

A proposal that would give supreme power to the central government. Legislature would have 2 houses of representatives, and representation numbers would be based on population. This would give larger states more power.

Virginia Plan

proposal for a one house legislature with equal amounts of representation and votes from every state

New Jersey Plan

a compromise between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans that solved the issue of representation in that states. There would be a 2 house legislative branch with a Senate and a House of Representatives. In the Senate, each state would have an equal amount of representation and votes, and in the House of Representatives, representation would be based on population.

Great Compromise

this said that 3/5 of the slave population would be counted for representation in the legislature and taxation

Three-Fifths Compromise

this means that the people are the ultimate source of government authority. What the majority wants should become policy.

Popular Sovreignty

This is when the power is divided between national (federal) and state governments

Federalism

In a constitutional republic, this divides the power between executive, legislative, and judicial branches so they can check each other

Separation of Powers

This system keeps any single branch of government from becoming too powerful

Checks and balances

States the main purposes of the new government under the constitution; comes at the beginning of the U.S. Constitution

Preamble

formal approval; the U.S. Constitution needed at least 9/13 states to approve it before it was passed

ratification

the people who supported the constitution

Federalists

people who opposed the Constitution and thought it took too much power away from the states and did not guarantee rights for the people

Antifederalists

these defended the U.S. Constitution against critics and explained how checks and balances and other features of the Constitution limited authority and preserved liberty

Federalist Papers

Making changes to the Constitution as needed

Amendments

a clause that states that Congress can make any laws that are necessary to carry out its duties. This provides flexibility for the government

elastic clause

This says that the Constitution and other federal laws are 'the supreme law of the land'. If a federal law and a state law disagree, then the federal law overrides the state law.

Supremacy Clause

this guaranteed basic individual freedoms such as freedom of speech and the right to due process for all free Americans; set an example of how to change the Constitution through amendments

Bill of Rights

the Court's power to declare an act of Congress unconstitutional

Judicial Review

branch of government that makes the laws

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that interprets the laws

Judicial Branch

Branch of government that enforces/executes the laws

Executive Branch

a legislature with 2 separate chambers or houses (Congress has the House and Senate)

Bicameral

a chamber in Congress with equal representation from each state. This chamber approves/rejects presidential appointments, approves treaties with foreign nations, and conducts impeachment trials

Senate

A chamber of Congress with representation from each state based on population. This chamber is where bills concerning taxation and government revenue originate and where federal officials can be impeached

House of Representatives

the leader of the HOR. Elected by House members and is typically from the majority party

Speaker of the House

the people represented by an elected official

constituents

powers specifically listed in the constitution and are held by the federal government

Enumerated (Delegated) Powers

powers held by the state government

reserved powers

Powers shared by the federal and state governments

concurrent powers

powers of Congress that are not specifically listed in the Constitution

Implied Powers

the president's power to reject a bill passed by Congress

Veto

Congress's power to pass a bill despite the president's veto with 2/3 majority vote

override

formally charging federal officials, including the president

Impeach/Impeachment

the president issues these to carry out laws affecting the Constitution, treaties, and statutes. These commands have the power of law.

Executive Orders

freedom from punishment granted by the president to persons convicted of federal crimes or facing criminal charges

Pardons

made up of the executive department heads (secretaries) and advises the president

cabinet

a body of electors who represent the people's vote in choosing the president

electoral college

a message issued annually by the president that introduces the legislative plan for the coming year

State of the Union

lower courts with judges appointed for life and hold federal trials. Each state has at least one of the 94 of these.

District Courts

If someone convicted of a crime believes the district trial was unfair, he or she can take the case here; reviews appeals from district courts

Courts of Appeals

reviews cases appealed from lower federal courts and highest state courts; cases heard usually involve important constitutional or public interest issues

Supreme Court

a written document describing where the party stands on major issues

party platform

influencers who use money, power, and popularity to sway Congress votes in their favor

Special Interest Groups

a crime is definitely being committed, had been committed, or is going to be committed and officers have the right to make a search or arrest; level above reasonable suspicion; more than mere suspicion

Probable Cause

when it is apparent that a crime may have possibly been committed, authorities have the right to briefly search the situation

Reasonable Suspicion

gives authorities permission to search someone's property; issued by a judge

Search Warrant

the law must be fairly applied

due process

protection against being tried multiple times for the same crime

double jeopardy

a person admits to something that proves they are guilty

self-incrimination

the act of charging someone with a crime

indictment

the power of the federal government to take personal property to benefit the public

eminent domain

forms of nonverbal communication that convey messages through actions or objects rather than spoken or written words; expressive conduct meant to communicate a political message

Symbolic speech

a set amount of money that defendants promise to pay the court if they fail to appear in court at the proper time

bail

unnecessary or excessive consequences for not too serious crimes

cruel and unusual punishment

Explain the main idea of Article I of the Constitution and 3 key things it does.

The Legislature: Creates Congress (Senate and House of Representatives)-the lawmaking branch. The house is based on population (2 yr terms, age 25+); Senate gives every state 2 seats (6 yr terms, age 30+). Enumerated powers include: collect taxes, coin money, regulate commerce, declare war, maintain military. Elastic Clause: "Congress can make any law necessary and proper" to carry out its powers.

Explain the main idea of Article II of the Constitution and 3 key things it does.

The Executive: Creates the Presidency-the branch that enforces the law. President elected by Electoral College; must be natural born citizen, ages 35+, U.S. resident 14 years. Powers: Commander in chief, make treaties (Senate approves), appoint judges and cabinet, grant pardons. Con be removed through impeachment: House impeaches, Senate holds trial (2/3 vote to remove).

Explain the main idea of Article III of the Constitution and 3 key things it does.

The Judiciary: Establishes the Supreme Court and the federal court system-the branch that interprets the law. Federal judges, appointed by the president, confirmed by state, serve for life (to stay independent from politics). Federal courts handle cases involving the constitution, federal law, treaties, and disputes between states. Treason defined narrowly: waging war on the US or aiding its enemies; requires two witnesses or confession.

Explain the main idea of Article IV of the Constitution and 3 key things it does.

Relations Among States: defines how states must treat each other and their citizens. Full Faith and Credit: every state must respect the laws and court decisions of every other state. Extradition: a person who commits a crime and flees to another state must be returned to face justice. Federal government guarantees every state a republican (representative) form of government.

Explain the main idea of Article V of the Constitution and 3 key things it does.

Amending the Constitution: explains how to change the constitution-deliberately difficult. Proposed by: 2/3 vote in both houses of Congress OR 2/3 of state legislatures. Ratified by: 3/4 of states (currently 38 of 50). One thing that can NEVER be changed: every state's equal representation in the Senate

Explain the main idea of Article VI of the Constitution and 3 key things it does.

Supremacy of the Constitution: the constitution is the highest law in the land. Supremacy clause: when state law conflicts with federal law, federal law wins. All federal and state officials must swear an oath to support and defend the constitution. No religious test can ever be required to hold public office in the United States.

Explain the main idea of Article VII of the Constitution and 3 key things it does.

Ratification: explains what it took for the constitution to go into effect. Required 9 of 13 states-not all 13-because unanimous approval might have been impossible. Delaware was first to ratify (December 1787); new Hampshire was the ninth (June 1788), making it official. Rhode Island was the last of the original 13 states to ratify, in May 1790.

What does the 1st Amendment Protect, what are some key vocabulary terms connected to it, and which Supreme Court Cases are tied to it?

Protects five core freedoms from government interference. Religion, speech, press, peaceful assembly, and petition. Cases: Texas v. Johnson (flag burning=symbolic speech); J.S. v. Blue Mountain (off campus student speech protected).

What does the 2nd Amendment Protect?

Protects the right to keep and bear arms. Originally tied to the need for state militias; its full meaning it still debated today

What does the 3rd Amendment Protect?

No quartering soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent. A direct response to the British practice of forcing colonists to house and feed soldiers.

What does the 4th Amendment Protect, what are some key vocabulary terms connected to it, and which Supreme Court Cases are tied to it?

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures; requires a warrant based on probable cause. Probable cause (police) vs. reasonable suspicion (schools)-schools need less evidence to search. Cases: NJ v. TLO (reasonable suspicion enough for school searches); Riley v. California (warrant required for cell phones.)

What does the 5th Amendment Protect, and what are some key vocabulary terms connected to it?

Protects the rights of the accused before and during trial. No double Jeopardy; right against self-incrimination ("pleading the fifth"); due process required. Eminent domain: government can take private property for public use, but must pay just compensation.

What does the 6th Amendment Protect, what are some key vocabulary terms connected to it, and which Supreme Court Cases are tied to it?

Guarantees the right to a fair trial. Speedy public trial, impartial jury, right to know charges, right to confront witnesses, right to an attorney. Case: Gideon v. Wainwright-if you cannot afford an attorney, the government must provide one.

What does the 7th Amendment Protect?

right to a jury trial in civil cases (disputes over money or property, not crimes). Applies when the amount in question exceeds $20.

What does the 8th Amendment Protect?

Prohibits excessive punishment. No excessive bail or fines; no cruel and unusual punishment-court still debate exactly what qualifies.

What does the 9th Amendment Protect?

Citizens have rights beyond those listed in the constitution. Just because a right isn't written down doesn't mean that it doesn't exist.

What does the 10th Amendment Protect, and what are some key vocabulary terms connected to it,?

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people. Foundation of reserved powers and federalism-protect state authority from federal overreach.

What are the basic facts, the constitutional question, which amendment was at stake, and what the court decided in the New Jersey v. TLO Supreme Court case (1985)?

Amendment: 4th. Facts: a school official searched a student's purse after she was caught smoking. The search turned up evidence of drug dealing. Question: do students have fourth amendment protection against searches at school? Held: yes, students have some fourth amendment rights at school-but the standard is lower than for police. Schools do not need a warrant or full probable cause. Reasonable suspicion is enough. Why it matters: established a separate, lower standard for school searches.

What are the basic facts, the constitutional question, which amendment was at stake, and what the court decided in the Gideon v. Wainwright Supreme Court case (1963)?

Amendment: 6th. Facts: Clarence Gideon was charged with a felony in Florida. He was too poor to afford a lawyer. Florida refused to appoint one. He represented himself, was convicted, and appealed. Question: does the sixth amendment right to counsel apply to state criminal cases? Held: yes, the right to an attorney is fundamental. If a defendant cannot afford a counsel, the government must provided one. Why it matters: transformed the American criminal justice system - established public defenders.

What are the basic facts, the constitutional question, which amendment was at stake, and what the court decided in the Riley v. California Supreme Court case (2014)?

Amendment: 4th. Facts: police arrested Riley and searched his cell phone without a warrant, finding evidence used to convict him. Question: can police search a cell phone incident to arrest without a warrant? Held: no. Cell phones are not ordinary objects - they contain vast amounts of personal information. Police must obtain a warrant before searching the digital contents of a cell phone. Why it matters: extended fourth amendment protection to digital privacy in the modern era.