US Gov + Citizenship

articles of confederation

america's first national gov. focused on a loose alliance of states with a weak national gov.

weakness of articles of confederation

no tax power, no executive branch, no national court system, couldn't regulate interstate or foreign commerce, unanimous approval required for amendments, states held most power

shays rebellion

revolt from Massachusetts farmers facing debt and foreclosure

shays rebellion effects

exposed weakness of articles of confederation, convinced leaders that USA needed stronger national gov., directly led to constitutional convention

federalists

supported new constitution, strong national gov., believed checks and balances prevented tyranny

anti-federalists

feared a too-powerful central gov., demanded bill of rights, opposed the constitution

social contract theory

if gov fails, people can change and replace it

natural rights

basic rights everyone has: life, liberty, property (john locke) mentioned in declaration of independence as life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness

federalism

division of power between national, state and local gov with each level having its own responsibilities

seperation of powers

gov power split into 3 branches

legislative branch

makes laws

executive branch

enforce laws

judicial branch

interprets laws

checks and balances

each branch can limit each other to prevent power abuse (veto, judicial review, and senate confirmations)

popular sovereignty

gov power comes from the people

supremacy clause

ensures federal law overrides state law

roles of constitutional clauses

elastic, commerce, and supremacy clause

elastic clause

(necessary and proper clause) allows congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers -> implied powers

commerce clause

gives congress power to regulate trade between states, foreign nations, and tribes

reserved powers

powers kept by states (10 amendment) ex: education, marriage laws, elections, licensing

concurrent powers

powers shared by national and state gov. ex: taxing, law making, building roads

roles of local officials

assessor, auditor, and treasurer

assessor

determines property values for taxation

auditor

oversees financial records, ensures proper use of public funds

treasurer

manages local gov. money, collects taxes and pays bills

local gov

police/fire services, schools, zoning, utilities

state gov

education standards, highways, elections, licensing

federal gov

national defense, currency, immigration, interstate commerce

10 amendment

powers not given to federal gov are reserved to the states or the people (protects state authority)

electoral college

voters choose electors who cast official presidential votes

voting systems

methods for determining winners in elections

plurality voting

most votes wins

majority voting

must get over 50%

ranked-choice voting

voting rank candidates; votes transfer until someone gets majority

proportional representation

seats awarded based on percentage of votes

referendums

direct votes by citizens on laws or policy questions (taxes, constitutional amendments or local measures)

special elections

elections held outside regular schedule to fill vacancies (mayor representative) or decide urgent issues

NGO's (non-gov organization)

independent groups that work on social issues: human rights, environment, education, disaster relief

political parties

organize voters, recruit candidates, shape policy platforms, and help people participate in gov.

civic groups

community organizations that encourage engagement, advocacy, volunteering and public awareness

voting

civic responsibility that allows citizens to influence gov decisions and leadership

jury duty

citizens serve on juries to ensure fair trials and uphold due process

advocacy

speaking up for issues, contacting representatives, joining civic groups, or participating in peaceful demonstrations

civil liberties

freedoms protected from gov interference (speech, religion, privacy) rooted in bill of rights

civil rights

protections against discrimination; ensure equal treatment. rooted in 14 amendment

civil rights act of 1964

banned discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex and national origin

voting rights act of 1965

protected voting access and outlawed discriminatory practices like literacy tests

brown v. board of education

ended school segregation; rules 'separate is inherently unequal'

roe v wade + dobbs v jackson

landmark cases on reproductive rights; dobbs overturned roe

obergefell v hodges

legalized same-sex marriage nationwide

voting access

debates over ID laws, mail-in ballots, redistricting

privacy and technology

data collection, surveillance, AI ethics

free speech

social media moderation, misinformation

equal protection

discrimination cases involving race, gender and sexuality

reproductive rights

state-level differences after dobbs

founding principles

natural rights, social contract, popular sovereignty, limited government

constitutional structure

three branches, federalism, checks and balances

amendment process

allows the constitution to evolve through formal changes

judicial review

courts interpret the constitution and can strike down unconstitutional laws