US Government and Civics Final (2025)

Social Contract Theory

Idea that the government derives its power from the people, must use their power for good

Characteristics of Democracy

The people make and vote on laws, Minority rights protected

Indirect Democracy (Republic)

Citizens elect representatives to make and vote on laws

Autocracy

All power is held by one person - Dictatorship/Monarchy

Duties

Something you must do by law Ex. Jury Duty + Paying Taxes

Declaration of Independence

Sign in 1776 by US revolutionaries, independence from Britain

Unalienable Rights

Rights that cannot be taken away from anyone; Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

Articles of Confederation

1st gov of the US (1781-1788), No Executive or Judicial Branch, could not regulate economy, no standing army (No centralized Power)

Shay’s Rebellion

Conflict that exposed the weaknesses of the Articles (No Standing Army)

Constitutional Convention

Meeting in Philadelphia, made a new US Constitution, new government, limited powers

Great Compromise

Bicameral Legislative Branch, States and People have equal Representation

Anti Federalist (Views of Constitution)

Opposed Constitution, Nothing protected the Bill of Rights

Separation of Powers

Division of Powers between 3 parts Legislative, Executive, and Judicial

Article V (Amendment Process)

Amending Constitution takes 2/3rds of Congress to propose something, 3/4ths of states to ratify

Bill Of Rights

Protects Liberties (Added for Anti-Federalist Support)

1st Amendment

Freedom of Speech, Press, Religion, Assembly, and to Petition Government

Amendment 4

Protection from unreasonable search and seizure

Amendment 6

Right to a Speedy and Public trial, Impartial jury, Knowledge of the crime committed, Right to a lawyer (counsel)

Federalism

Separation of State and Federal Government

Popular Sovereignty

Character of Constitution, The People Rule

10th Amendment

States Rights, Anything not said in the Constitution is given to the states

Article VI Supremacy Clause

Federal Law supersede Sate and Local Laws

McCulloch v. Maryland

Confirmed the Supremacy Clause

Block Grants

Grants/Money given to state (Flexibility on spending)

Political Parties

Main goal is to get their person to win election

Third Parties

Bring in new ideas, rarely get people elected

15th Amendment

All people born in the US have the right to vote

19th Amendment

Female Citizens can vote

26th Amendment

Lowered Voting Age to 18

Factors influencing Voter Turnout

Registration Status (Biggest), Age

Closed Primary

Only people registered to the party can vote in this election

General Election

Win Presidential seat if you win in this election

Electoral College

270 votes required to win (Most resources go to swing states)

Gerrymandering

Drawing of District Lines to favor political parties

Powers of the House

Powers the Senate doesn’t have, taxing and spending

Powers of the Senate

They Approve appointments and treaties

Fillibuster

Prevent a bill from passing congress

Standing Committees

Permanent Committee; Receive bill, study, Report back to floor for vote

Special Comittees

Select Committees set up for important issues Ex. 9/11

Formal Powers of the President

Veto + Sign bills into Law. Negotiate Treaties

Executive Agreement

An agreement made with other countries

Bully Pulpit

President appeals to public to sway public opinion Ex. Going online and saying stuff

Bureaucracy

Government Workers - Create Regulations, Implement, Enforce Law

Implementation

the process of putting laws into action and ensuring they are carried out effectively

Iron Triangle

If you have Agencies, Congress, and interest groups you can change/make a law

Judicial Review

Determine constitutionality of laws and presidential actions

14th Amendment

Equal Protection; All citizens are subject to equal protection under the law (Due Process)T

Tinker v. Des Moines

Symbolic Speech is protected under 1st Amendment

Brown v Board of Education

Ended Segregation in Schools

Title IX of the Education Act of 1972

Women and men’s programs must be equal in schools

Interest groups

Private organizations that affect policy making

Lobbying

Paying Congress to represent interests of interest groups

Grassroots Activism

Emails, Phone calls, Demonstrations, Door to Door (Done by interest groups

Watchdog Function of Media

Media Exposes Corruption

Gatekeeper Function of Media

Chooses what news is relevant