American Government Unit One Study Guide

Revenue

The money a government collects from taxes or other sources

Anarchy

Political disorder

Embargo

An agreement prohibiting trade

Preamble

Introduction to Constitution and states why it was writen

Constitution

the basic principles and laws of a nation, state, or social group that determine the powers and duties of the government and guarantee certain rights to the people in it

Amendment 1

Citizens have freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition

Amendment 2

Citizens have the right to keep and bear arms, or own guns

Amendment 3

The government may not force U.S. citizens to shelter soldiers in their homes

Amendment 4

Citizens are protected from unreasonable searches of property

Amendment 5

The government may not force U.S. citizens to testify against themselves in court

Amendment 6

Citizens have the right to a fair and speedy trial

Amendment 7

Citizens have the right to a trial by jury

Amendment 8

Citizens are protected from cruel and unusual punishments

Amendment 9

Citizens have rights that are not listed in the Constitution

Amendment 10

Powers not given to the federal government by the U.S. The Constitution belongs to the state or to the people.

Amendment 13

outlawed slavery

Amendment 15

prohibits govn’t from denying a person’s right to vote on basis of race

Amendment 18

began Prohibition

Amendment 19

guaranteed guaranteed women the right to vote

Amendment 21

ended prohibition

Amendment 22

limits presidents to a maximum of 2 elected terms

Amendment 26

lowered voting age to 18 in federal and state elections

Thomas Hobes

Wrote Leviathan, believed life was “cruel, british and short,”people have surrendered to the state the power needed to maintain order. State in return protects its citizens. Social contract created

John Locke

believed people were given the right to life, liberty, and property. To preserve rights they create social contracts to governing authority. If the government failed to upload their end, people could break the contract.

Articles of Confederation

States wanted a “league of friendship” among the 13 states rather than a strong national gov

All 13 states ratified - approved, the articles of Confederation

Included a unicameral - single-chamber congress

No executive branch

Each state had 1 vote

Congress had power over foreign affairs and defense

All other power in states hand

3 Branches of Government

Executive, Judicial, Legislative

Greek words for democracy

“demos” (meaning people) and “kratia” (meaning rule)

How many amendments are in the Constitution

27

month/day/year Declaration of Independence was signed

07/04/1776

⅗ compromise

Compromise said enslaved people would be counted for both tax purposes and for representation

Capitalism

economic system free choice and individual incentive for workers, investing consumers, and business enterprises

Socialism

Def-gov owns basic means of production, determines use of resources, distribution of products and wages, produce, healthcare, welfare

Communism

One class would evolve; property all would be held common; and no need for government

Authors of the Federalist Papers

Alexander Hamilton, James Madison and John Jay

Who is the father of the Constitution

James Madison

Unitary system

gives all key powers to the national or central govt’t

Federal system

divides up the national govt’t/state or provincial gov't

Magna Carta

The Magna Carta (or Great Charter), assigned in 1215 by King John, established the principle of limited government - power of the monarch, or govt, was limited not absolute

Autocracy

power and authority to rule are in the hands of a single individual. Usually maintain power by inheritance or military/police force

Oligarchy

small groups hold gov’t power. Communists countries like china are like this

Democracy

govt’t ruled by the people

Checks and balances

gives each brain of government some power/control over others