US GVT Exam Review OF ALL UNITS AND POWERPOINTS

Government

institution making and enforcing laws over people

State

political community with territory and organized government

Nation

people united by race

Nation-state

territory of nation and state coincide

Population

consensus affects stability and political organization

Territory

established boundaries may change by war or purchase

Sovereignty

absolute authority within territorial boundaries

Government feature

maintains order

Evolution Theory

state evolved from family unit authority

Force Theory

states created through military force and protection

Divine Right Theory

rulers chosen by gods to govern

Social Contract Theory

people give power to state for order

Thomas Hobbes

believed citizens cannot break social contract

John Locke

believed natural rights allow breaking contract

Purpose of Government

leadership

Leadership purpose

officials make decisions for people

Social Order purpose

laws maintain peace and stability

Public Services purpose

essential services promote welfare

National Security purpose

protect citizens from foreign/domestic threats

Economic Policies purpose

manage economy

Aristotle

classified governments by who governs state

Government classification

distribution of power

Anarchy

absence of government or authority

Authoritarian

leadership controls all social and economic life

Dictatorship

one ruler controls society and economy completely

Oligarchy

small group holds power via wealth or influence

Monarchy

king/queen inherits supreme rule

Absolute Monarchy

ruler has unlimited power over people

Constitutional Monarchy

monarch shares power or symbolic figurehead

Constitution

plan providing rules for government

Constitution purposes

ideals

Constitutional Government

constitution limits powers of rulers

Democracy

power of the people

Direct Democracy

citizens vote directly on all issues

Representative Democracy

citizens elect representatives to govern

Government systems

unitary

Unitary System

central government holds major powers

Confederacy

loose union of independent states

Federal System

power divided between national and state governments

Principles of Democracy

citizen participation

Citizen Participation

voting

Regular Elections

scheduled

Accepting Results

peaceful transfer of power after elections

Rule of Law

no one above law

Majority Rule

majority decides but minority rights protected

Accountability

officials responsible to people for actions

Transparency

government actions open

Limited Government

bill of rights limits power

Abuse of Power

prevented by checks and balances system

Economic Freedom

private property

Equality

individuals valued equally

Human Rights

dignity

Independent Judiciary

courts fair

Political Parties

multiple parties provide voter choices

Magna Carta 1215

limited king’s power

Petition of Right 1628

restricted monarch authority further

English Bill of Rights 1689

guaranteed freedoms

French and Indian War

costly

Stamp Act 1765

tax on paper goods angered colonists

Declaration of Independence 1776

colonies declared freedom from Britain

Continental Congress

organized army

Articles of Confederation

weak central government

Articles problems

states independent

Constitutional Convention

abandoned Articles

Virginia Plan

representation based on population

New Jersey Plan

equal representation for states

Connecticut Compromise

bicameral legislature

Electoral College compromise

system for electing president

Three-Fifths Compromise

enslaved counted for taxes and representation

Commerce Compromise

Congress regulates trade

Ratifying Constitution

Federalists supported

Federalist Papers

defended Constitution in ratification debates

Bill of Rights

first 10 amendments guaranteeing freedoms

Constitution

structure and rules for government

Constitution parts

preamble

Six Big Ideas

sovereignty

Limited Government

government restricted by law

Separation of Powers

three branches divide authority

Checks and Balances

branches control each other’s power

Judicial Review

courts decide constitutionality of laws

Federalism

power divided national

Popular Sovereignty

people hold ultimate power

Republicanism

elect representatives to govern

Legislative Branch

enumerated powers

Executive Branch

enforces laws

Judicial Branch

judicial review

Bill of Rights First

freedoms of speech

Bill of Rights Second

right to bear arms

Bill of Rights Third

no housing soldiers in homes

Bill of Rights Fourth

protection against unreasonable searches

Bill of Rights Fifth

rights against self-incrimination

Bill of Rights Sixth

speedy trial

Bill of Rights Seventh

trial by jury in civil cases

Bill of Rights Eighth

no cruel or unusual punishment

Bill of Rights Ninth

rights not listed still protected

Bill of Rights Tenth

powers reserved to states or people

Anti-Federalists

opposed Constitution

Anti-Federalist concerns

president

Anti-Federalist leaders

Patrick Henry

Anti-Federalist outcome

Constitution ratified