GOVT 2306 – Exam #1 Notes Review

Flashcards generated from GOVT 2306 Exam #1 Notes covering the American Founding, Articles of Confederation, Federalism, Civil Liberties, and Texas Local Government.

What is monarchy?

Rule by king or queen.

What concept states that monarchs are God’s representatives?

Divine Right of Kings.

Under the principle of popular sovereignty, where does government derive its authority from?

The people.

In a republican system, who governs?

Elected representatives.

What ideology emphasizes individual rights and freedoms?

Liberalism.

What is the agreement between rulers and citizens regarding governance?

Social Contract.

What principle states that the legitimacy of government depends on the approval of its citizens?

Consent of the Governed.

What term describes European settlement displacing native populations?

Settler Colonialism.

Who defended divine monarchy?

Robert Filmer.

Which figure is associated with natural rights, the social contract, and consent of the governed?

John Locke.

Who wrote “Common Sense” and advocated for independence?

Thomas Paine.

Which Federalist advocated for a strong central government?

Alexander Hamilton.

Who is known as the “Father of the Constitution”?

James Madison.

Which Anti-Federalist opposed a strong central government?

Patrick Henry.

Who was an author of the Federalist Papers?

John Jay.

What was the significance of the Glorious Revolution in 1688?

It limited monarchy in England and inspired political thought.

What was a key consequence of the French & Indian War for Britain and the colonies?

British debt led to taxation of the colonies.

What was significant about the Sugar Act of 1764?

It was the first direct tax on the colonies and angered colonists.

What act in 1765 taxed printed documents and sparked protests?

Stamp Act.

What event was a major act of colonial resistance in 1773?

The Boston Tea Party following the Tea Act.

What was the outcome of the American Revolution (1775–1783)?

Independence from Britain.

What event exposed the weakness of the Articles of Confederation?

Shays’ Rebellion (1786–1787).

What significant event involved the drafting of the U.S. Constitution?

The Constitutional Convention (1787).

What compromise balanced representation in the Constitution in 1787?

The Massachusetts Compromise.

What term refers to the concentration of power at the national level?

Centralization.

How are citizens represented in government?

Representation.

What political philosophy states that the majority rules?

Majoritarianism.

What term describes groups competing for power?

Factionalism.

What is the purpose of term limits for government officials?

Rotation.

What mechanism allows citizens to remove officials before their term ends?

Recall.

What are protections of liberties in government called?

Rights.

Which Anti-Federalist opposed a strong central government?

Robert Yates.

Which Anti-Federalist demanded a Bill of Rights?

Elbridge Gerry.

Who debated Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists?

Melancton Smith.

What type of powers are explicitly stated in the Constitution?

Expressed/Enumerated Powers.

What powers are granted via the Necessary & Proper Clause?

Implied Powers.

What type of powers are kept for the states?

Reserved Powers.

What powers are shared between state and federal governments?

Concurrent Powers.

What state powers concern health, safety, and morals?

Police Powers.

What clause states that federal law overrides state law?

Supremacy Clause.

What clause requires states to honor other states’ laws?

Comity Clause.

What clause allows Congress to regulate interstate commerce?

Commerce Clause.

What clause states that revenue bills must originate in the House?

Origination Clause.

What clause requires states to enforce other states’ judgments?

Full Faith & Credit Clause.

What type of federalism features distinct state and federal roles?

Dual (“Layer Cake”) Federalism.

What type of federalism involves shared responsibilities between levels of government?

Cooperative (“Marble Cake”) Federalism.

What type of federalism involves conflict between federal and state governments?

Fractious Federalism.

What approach to federalism involves devolving powers to the states?

New Federalism.

What type of federalism involves federal rules and funding conditions?

Regulated Federalism.

What flexible funds are given to states by the federal government?

Block Grants.

What are requirements imposed on states by the federal government without providing funding?

Unfunded Mandates.

What term refers to flexible federal money provided to states?

General Revenue Sharing.

What occurs when federal law overrides state law?

Preemption.

What are federal rules that states must follow?

National Standards.

What rights are protected by the First Amendment?

Speech, press, religion, assembly, petition.

What right does the Second Amendment protect?

The right to bear arms.

What does the Third Amendment prohibit regarding soldiers?

Quartering soldiers.

What protects against unreasonable search and seizure?

The Fourth Amendment.

What amendment covers due process and double jeopardy?

The Fifth Amendment.

What amendment guarantees trial rights?

The Sixth Amendment.

What amendment ensures a jury trial in civil cases?

The Seventh Amendment.

What amendment prohibits cruel and unusual punishment?

The Eighth Amendment.

What amendment addresses unenumerated rights?

The Ninth Amendment.

What amendment reserves powers to the states?

The Tenth Amendment.

What process applies the Bill of Rights to the states?

Selective Incorporation.

What test is used for Establishment Clause cases concerning religion and government?

The Lemon Test.

What test limits speech if it poses a danger?

Clear & Present Danger Test.

What rule makes illegally obtained evidence inadmissible in court?

The Exclusionary Rule.

What concept ensures fair treatment in the legal process?

Due Process.

What exception allows both federal and state prosecutions for the same act?

Separate Sovereignty Exception.

What rights must be read to individuals upon arrest?

Miranda Warnings.

What government action involves censoring in advance?

Prior Restraint.

What term covers both libel (written) and slander (spoken)?

Defamation.

What 1931 case limited prior restraint?

Near v. Minnesota.

What 1964 case set libel standards for public officials?

NY Times v. Sullivan.

What 1971 case involved the Pentagon Papers and free press?

NY Times Co. v. US.

What 2010 case dealt with campaign finance and free speech?

Citizens United v. FEC.

What 2022 case concerned school prayer and free exercise?

Kennedy v. Bremerton.

What are the administrative divisions within Texas?

Texas Counties & Precincts.

What are limited function units managing specific services like schools or utilities?

Special Purpose Districts.

What organizations provide regional coordination?

Councils of Government.

What connects citizens and government?

Intermediary Bodies.

What is a borrowing mechanism used by local governments?

Capital Appreciation Bonds.

What term refers to civic engagement?

Participation.

Which key thinker is associated with democracy, civic associations, and local involvement?

Alexis de Tocqueville.