Civics & Foundations of Government Assessment Study Guide

unconstitutional

something that violates the constitution

amendment (definition)

a change to the constitution

rule of law

a principle of democracy that means all citizens, including government officials, must follow the law

checks and balances

the system that our government uses where the three branches have some powers over each other, ensuring that no one branch has too much power

impeach

to formally accuse a government official of breaking their oath; can lead to removal from office

federalism

the principle in which power must be divided and shared between the federal government and state government

representative democracy

a system of government in which elected officials represent the people and make decisions on their behalf

rights

freedoms we have that are protected by our laws

responsibilities

duties or things that we should do as citizens in a community

democracy

a form of government in which the people have power

authoritarian

a form of government in which a leader or group of leaders have all the power

John Locke

a philosopher who believed in democracy and that people were naturally good

Thomas Hobbes

a philosopher who believed in an authoritarian form of government and that people were naturally evil

social contract

an agreement among individuals to form a government, sacrificing some freedom for security and order

bias

the belief that some people are favored more than others, which results in treating some people unfairly

implicit bias

unconscious and unintentional

explicit bias

conscious and intentional

volunteering

a type of civic engagement in which one performs services without being paid

elections/politics

a type of civic engagement in which one becomes involved with the government or participates in electing public officials

advocacy

a type of civic engagement in which individuals support or promote a cause, policy, or idea

Cory Booker ad Andy Kim

the two US Senators from NJ

create laws

purpose of the Legislative Branch

enforce laws

purpose of the Executive Branch

interpret laws

purpose of the Judicial Branch

The Legislative Branch

Article I of the US Constitution

The Executive Branch

Article II of the US Constitution

The Judicial Branch

Article III of the US Constitution

The States

Article IV of the US Constitution

The Amendment Process

Article V of the US Constitution

The Supreme Law of the Land

Article VI of the US Constitution

Ratification

Article VII of the US Constitution

Who is in the Legislative Branch?

the two chambers of Congress (the Senate and the House of Representatives)

Who is in the Executive Branch?

the President, Vice President, and the Cabinet members (the federal departments)

Who is in the Judicial Branch?

The Supreme Court and lower federal courts

Senator

a member of Congress who represents their entire state

Congressperson

a member of the House of Representatives who represents a specific district in their state

powers of Congress (Legislative Branch)

includes making laws, declaring war, and controlling federal spending

powers of the President (Executive Branch)

include commanding the military, vetoing laws, appointing Cabinet members

powers of the Supreme Court (Judicial Branch)

include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws, and ruling on cases

The Bill of Rights

the first 10 Amendments in the Constitution, added at the same time that the Constitution was ratified

The First Amendment

freedom of speech, religion, the press, and peaceful protest

The Second Amendment

the right to bear arms (own guns)

The Third Amendment

protection against quartering (providing housing) soldiers in ones home

The Fourth Amendment

protection against unreasonable search and seizure of property

The Fifth Amendment

“the right to remain silent” one can’t be forced to testify against themselves or be tried more than once for the same crime

The Sixth Amendment

provides the right to a fair and speedy trial, includes rights to an attorney and impartial jury

The Seventh Amendment

provides the right to a jury trial in certain civil cases

The Eighth Amendment

protects from excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment

The Ninth Amendment

says that just because it isn’t in the Constitution doesn’t mean it isn’t a right

The Tenth Amendment

says that anything not in the Constitution is up to the states

The Preamble

the introduction to the constitution, states what is in the document and what it is for, begins with “We the People”

The Articles

the main part of the Constitution, says how our government will work, who is in it, and what rules the government will have to follow

The Amendments (section)

the final part of the constitution, includes all additions and changes, begins with the “Bill of Rights”