US Government Lecture Notes

Flashcards about US Government

What is the role of political parties?

To try to get candidates elected.

What is the role of interest groups?

To try to influence laws and policies.

What is the role of the media?

To inform and watch the government.

What type of government is a Democracy?

People rule.

What type of government is a Monarchy?

King or queen rules.

What type of government is a Oligarchy?

Small group rules.

What type of government is a Dictatorship?

One person rules absolutely.

Define Diplomacy.

Negotiating peacefully with other nations.

Define Espionage.

Gathering secret information about other countries.

Define Humanitarian Efforts.

Providing aid and assistance to people in need around the world.

Define Peacekeeping Operations.

Using military forces to help maintain peace in conflict areas.

Define Sanctions.

Cutting off trade or financial exchanges to pressure countries to change behavior.

What is the role of the judicial branch?

Interpret laws and Constitution; Declare laws unconstitutional

What kind of issues do States handle?

State issues (schools, marriage).

What kind of issues do Local governments handle?

City and county issues (police, parks).

Define Civil Law.

Law between people (contracts, divorces).

Define Criminal Law.

Law for breaking laws (theft, assault).

Define Constitutional Law.

Law about rights under the Constitution.

Define Military Law.

Rules for military members.

What Article covers the Legislative Branch?

Article I

What Article covers the Executive Branch?

Article II

What Article covers the Judicial Branch?

Article III

What was the outcome of Marbury v. Madison?

The establishment of Judicial review

What was the outcome of Dred Scott v. Sandford?

Enslaved persons are not citizens

What was the outcome of Plessy v. Ferguson?

"Separate but equal" segregation allowed

What was the outcome of Brown v. Board of Education?

Ended school segregation

What was the outcome of Gideon v. Wainwright?

Right to a lawyer

What was the outcome of Miranda v. Arizona?

Rights must be read to arrested individuals

What was the outcome of In re Gault?

Due process rights for juveniles

What was the outcome of United States v. Nixon?

Limited executive privilege

What was the outcome of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier?

Schools can limit student speech in newspapers

What are the responsibilities of citizenship?

Voting, obeying laws, jury duty

What is the focus of the 1st Amendment?

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition

What does the 2nd Amendment protect?

Right to keep and bear arms

What does the 4th Amendment protect?

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures

What does the 5th Amendment protect?

Rights of the accused (due process, no double jeopardy, no self-incrimination)

What does the 6th Amendment protect?

Right to a fair and speedy trial by jury, right to an attorney

What does the 8th Amendment protect?

No cruel and unusual punishment; no excessive bail or fines

What does the 9th Amendment protect?

People have rights beyond those listed in the Constitution

What does the 10th Amendment protect?

Powers not given to the federal government belong to the states or the people

What did the 13th Amendment do?

Ends slavery

What did the 14th Amendment do?

Citizenship and equal protection

What did the 15th Amendment do?

Voting rights for all men, regardless of race

What did the 19th Amendment do?

Women's right to vote

What did the 24th Amendment do?

Ends poll taxes

What did the 26th Amendment do?

Voting age lowered to 18

What are the steps for a bill to become a law?

Idea -> Congress votes -> President signs or vetoes

What are the responsibilities of the Federal government?

National issues (military, money)

How do citizens change government?

Through voting, petitions, protests

What angered colonists?

Taxes (like the Stamp Act and Tea Act)

What unfair laws led to revolution?

Unfair laws (like the Quartering Act and Intolerable Acts)

What powers does the Federal government possess?

Delegated

What powers do the States possess?

Reserved

What powers are shared?

Concurrent

What are the qualifications for President?

35 years old, natural-born citizen, 14 years U.S. residency

What caused chaos under the Articles of Confederation?

Weak central government

What is Due Process of Law?

Fair treatment through the normal judicial system

What is Judicial Review?

The Supreme Court's power to declare laws unconstitutional

What are Individual Rights?

Rights guaranteed or belonging to a person

What is the Miranda Warning?

Rights that must be read to a person being arrested (right to remain silent, right to an attorney)

What is Precedent?

A previous court decision that guides future cases

What is the Right to Counsel?

The right to have a lawyer represent you in court

What is Self-Incrimination?

Testifying against yourself (protected against by the 5th Amendment)

How is power shared in the government?

3 branches of government share and check power (Executive, Legislative, Judicial)

What did the Federalists want?

Strong central government

What did the Anti-Federalists want?

Wanted Bill of Rights to protect freedoms