US Gov Unit 5: Civic + Political Participation

natural-born citizen

A person automatically granted U.S. citizenship by being born in the U.S. or to U.S. citizen parents

naturalization

The legal process by which a non-citizen acquires U.S. citizenship

Dred Scott v. Sandford

A 1857 Supreme Court case ruling that African Americans were not U.S. citizens and could not sue in federal court

14th Amendment

An amendment ratified in 1868 granting citizenship to all persons born or naturalized in the U.S.

rights of citizens

Fundamental freedoms such as speech

duties of citizens

Legal obligations like obeying laws

responsibilities of citizens

Voluntary actions like voting and staying informed on civic matters

civic engagement

Active participation in the political and community life of society

political ideology

A set of beliefs about political values and the role of government

liberal

A political ideology favoring government intervention in the economy and progressive social policies

conservative

A political ideology favoring limited government and traditional social values

moderate

A political ideology with centrist views

political party

An organized group seeking to influence government policy by electing candidates

Democratic Party

One of the two major U.S. parties

Republican Party

One of the two major U.S. parties

minor party

A political party with less influence than major parties but can affect elections and policies

two-party system

A political system dominated by two major parties

political socialization

The process by which individuals acquire their political beliefs and values

special interest group

An organization seeking to influence public policy in favor of its interests

Political Action Committee (PAC)

An organization that raises funds to support political candidates and legislation

lobbying

The act of attempting to influence policymakers on specific issues

think tank

A research organization that provides information and analysis to influence policy

litigation

The process of taking legal action to enforce or challenge laws

grassroots mobilization

Organizing community members to advocate for political change

suffrage

The right to vote in political elections

disenfranchisement

The denial of the right to vote to certain individuals or groups

National Voter Registration Act

A 1993 law aimed at increasing voter registration and participation

apportionment

The distribution of legislative seats based on population

census

A decennial count of the U.S. population used for apportionment

redistricting

The redrawing of electoral district boundaries based on population changes

gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries to favor a particular political party

Electoral College

The body that formally elects the U.S. president and vice president

winner-take-all system

An electoral system where the candidate with the most votes wins all of a state's electoral votes

citizenship

Legal membership in a political community or country that includes rights and responsibilities

naturalization

The legal process by which a non-citizen becomes a U.S. citizen

jus soli

Latin for “law of the soil”

citizenship is determined by place of birth

jus sanguinis

Latin for “law of the blood”

citizenship is determined by parents' nationality

Dred Scott v. Sandford

1857 Supreme Court case ruling that African Americans were not citizens and could not sue in federal court

14th Amendment

Amendment that defines citizenship as anyone born or naturalized in the U.S.

duties

Legal obligations U.S. citizens must follow (e.g.

responsibilities

Voluntary actions that help support the democratic system (e.g.

rights

Freedoms guaranteed to all U.S. citizens (e.g.

civic engagement

Active participation in public life to improve the community or influence public policy

What are the two main ways a person becomes a U.S. citizen?

By birth (jus soli/jus sanguinis) or by naturalization

What court case decided that slaves were not citizens and could not sue in federal court?

Dred Scott v. Sandford

What amendment outlines how someone becomes a citizen of the United States?

14th Amendment

Why was the 14th Amendment originally ratified?

To grant citizenship to formerly enslaved people after the Civil War

Was the 14th Amendment successful in ensuring citizenship?

Partially—it established birthright citizenship but racial discrimination still persisted

Name three rights of U.S. citizens.

Free speech

Name three duties required of U.S. citizens.

Obey laws

Name one responsibilitie of U.S. citizens.

Voting

Define “civic engagement.”

Participation in activities intended to improve communities or influence government

Give an example of civic engagement.

Voting

Why is civic engagement important in a democracy?

It ensures the government reflects the will of the people and stays accountable

political ideology

A set of beliefs about politics

political spectrum

A visual representation of different political ideologies from left (liberal) to right (conservative)

liberal

A person who generally supports government action to promote equality and protect individual rights

conservative

A person who generally supports limited government

moderate

A person with a centrist viewpoint who may support ideas from both liberals and conservatives

political party

An organized group that seeks to gain power by winning elections and shaping public policy

Democratic Party

One of the two main U.S. political parties

tends to support liberal policies

Republican Party

One of the two main U.S. political parties

tends to support conservative policies

minor party

A political party that is not one of the two major parties

often promotes specific issues or ideologies

Libertarian Party

A minor party that advocates for minimal government and maximum individual freedom

Green Party

A minor party focused on environmental issues and social justice

Constitution Party

A minor party that emphasizes the original intent of the U.S. Constitution and traditional values

two-party system

A political system dominated by two major parties

political socialization

The process by which individuals develop their political beliefs and values

What is political ideology?

A person’s set of beliefs about government and political issues

What does the political spectrum show?

The range of political beliefs from liberal to conservative

How do liberals and conservatives differ?

Liberals favor more government action for equality

conservatives favor limited government and traditional values

What is a moderate in political ideology?

Someone with views that are in the center of the political spectrum

Define political parties.

Groups that try to influence government by winning elections and setting policies

What are the two main political parties in the U.S.?

Democratic Party and Republican Party

What ideology does the Democratic Party generally support?

Liberal or progressive

What ideology does the Republican Party generally support?

Conservative

What is a minor party?

A smaller political party that challenges the major parties and promotes alternative ideas

Name three major minor parties in the U.S.

Libertarian Party

Why are minor parties important?

They bring attention to new or ignored issues and can influence major party platforms

Why does the U.S. have a two-party system?

Because of winner-take-all elections

List three reasons the U.S. has a two-party system.

Single-member districts

What factors influence political socialization?

Family

special interest group

An organization of people with shared interests who try to influence public policy

types of special interest groups

Business

PAC (Political Action Committee)

A group that raises and donates money to campaigns to influence elections and public policy

lobbying

The process of attempting to influence lawmakers to support or oppose legislation

think tank

A research organization that provides ideas and policy solutions to influence public policy

litigation

Using the court system to influence public policy through lawsuits

grassroots mobilization

Organizing community members to take political action from the local level

What is a special interest group?

An organization that tries to influence government decisions on specific issues

Why do people join special interest groups?

To support causes they care about and influence policy

List a type of special interest groups.

Business

What is the purpose of a PAC?

To collect and donate money to political campaigns

How do special interest groups use money to influence policy?

They use PACs to contribute to campaigns of supportive politicians