civics pt

Precedent

A previous court decision used as an example for future similar cases.

Stare Decisis

"Let the ruling stand," meaning courts usually follow precedent.

Judicial Activism

A tendency to overturn past decisions or rule laws unconstitutional.

Judicial Restraint

A tendency to let prior decisions and laws stand.

Supreme Court Composition

The Supreme Court has 9 justices: 8 associate justices and 1 chief justice.

Supreme Court Appointment Process

Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president, approved by the Senate, and serve for life.

Electoral College

The system used to officially elect the president of the United States.

270 Electoral Votes

A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.

Swing States

States that can be won by either major political party and are very important in presidential elections.

Why Swing States Matter

Swing states matter because they can decide who wins the Electoral College.

If No Candidate Wins a Majority

If no presidential candidate wins a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the president state by state from the top three candidates.

Choosing the Vice President if Needed

If no vice presidential candidate wins or the office must be filled, the Senate or Congress may have a role depending on the situation.

Political Parties

Organizations of people with similar political beliefs who try to win elections and influence government.

Republican Party

A major political party usually associated in class notes with smaller government, lower taxes, conservative ideas, and the color red.

Democratic Party

A major political party usually associated in class notes with more social programs, liberal ideas, and the color blue.

Conservative

A political viewpoint often connected with tradition, smaller government, and lower taxes.

Liberal

A political viewpoint often connected with change, more government programs, and expanded social services.

Red States

States that usually vote Republican.

Blue States

States that usually vote Democratic.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.

Why Checks and Balances Matter

Checks and balances prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.

Congress Checks the President

Congress can override vetoes, approve appointments, approve treaties, investigate the executive branch, and impeach officials.

President Checks Congress

The president can veto bills passed by Congress.

Supreme Court Checks Congress

The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.

Supreme Court Checks the President

The Supreme Court can declare executive actions unconstitutional.

Essay Topic: The Branches of the Government

The U.S. government is divided into three branches: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch.

Legislative Branch

Congress, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate, with the main job to make laws.

Executive Branch

Led by the president, its main job is to enforce laws.

Judicial Branch

Made up of federal courts, including the Supreme Court, it interprets laws using judicial review.

How many times Congress has proposed amendments

Congress has proposed constitutional amendments 33 times.

House choosing the President

If no presidential candidate receives a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the president, voting state by state from the top three candidates.

When the House chose the President

The House chose the president in 1801 and 1825.

Senate choosing the Vice President

If needed, the Senate chooses the vice president, with individual senators casting votes.

When the Senate chose the Vice President

The Senate chose the vice president in 1837.

Congress approving a new Vice President

When the president appoints a new vice president, a majority of both houses of Congress must approve the choice.

Federal officials impeached

17 federal officials have been impeached.

Federal officials convicted after impeachment

7 federal officials have been convicted after impeachment, all of them federal judges.

Can Congress repeal a treaty?

Yes, Congress can repeal or override a treaty through later law.

Presidential salary

The president earns $400,000 per year, set in 2001, plus $50,000 for expenses.

Who decides the president's salary

Congress decides the president's salary, and it cannot be changed while the president is in office.

Presidential benefits

The president receives benefits such as the White House, Air Force One, Camp David, a fleet of cars, staff, offices, and healthcare.

Common historical characteristics of presidents

Historically, many presidents had political or military experience, were politically acceptable, married, white, male, Protestant, and of Northern European ancestry.

Barack Obama and presidential characteristics

Barack Obama broke some common historical presidential characteristics by becoming the first African-American president.

Presidency as powerful office

The presidency has been called the most powerful office in the world.

Stewardship theory

Theodore Roosevelt's idea that the president should do whatever helps the public, using any powers that can reasonably be claimed.

William Howard Taft's view of presidential power

Taft believed presidents should have limited powers and only use powers clearly based on the Constitution.

Examples of executive orders

Examples include Truman integrating the armed forces and Eisenhower supporting desegregation of American schools.

Recess appointment

When the Senate is not in session, the president can temporarily fill vacancies through recess appointments.

Removal power

The president generally has the power to remove officials they appoint, except federal judges and some officials protected by special rules.

First Congress and removal power

The First Congress gave the president power to remove appointed officers except federal judges.

1935 court ruling on removal power

Congress can set conditions for removing members of independent regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission.

Presidential advisers and confidentiality

Presidential advisers must believe their advice can remain confidential so they can speak freely and honestly to the president.

Dred Scott v. Sandford

A Supreme Court case that helped set the stage for the Civil War.

Roe v. Wade

A Supreme Court case that invalidated state abortion laws, but it was later overturned.

Thurgood Marshall

The first African-American Supreme Court justice, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.

Sandra Day O'Connor

The first woman Supreme Court justice, appointed by President Ronald Reagan.

Sonia Sotomayor

The first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, appointed by President Barack Obama.