US Government - Unit 1 Test

government basics, and a little American history

anti-federalists

opponents of the constitution who favored strong state rights

constitution

a document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and fundamental laws that govern a society

divine right

belief that a king or queen’s authority comes directly from God

indirect democracy (republic)

a form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting

structure of the constitution

preamble, 7 articles, 27 amendments

oligarchy

a form of government in which all decisions are made by a small group of people, typically the most educated and wealthy

tariff

a tax on imported goods

bill of rights

the first ten amendments to the constitution

the great compromise

compromised made by the constitutional convention which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house

autocracy

a system of government by one person with absolute power

federalists

supporters of the US constitution that favored a strong central government

direct democracy

a form of government where every person has a vote and all decisions are made by majority rules

enumerated powers

powers given to the national government alone

republican government

type of government in which power is exercised by representatives chosen by the people

theocracy

a government controlled by religious leaders and texts

shared powers

powers that held by both state and national governments

federalism

a system in which power is divided between the national and state governments, so that no one becomes too powerful

new jersey plan

a constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress

reversed powers

powers given to the state governments alone

amendment

a change to the constitution (27 total)

politics

method of gaining, managing, and maintaining control of government

boycott

a refusal to buy or use goods and services

bicameral

a legislature consisting of two parts or houses

supremacy clause

constitutional is the supreme law of the land (article VI)

if there is a conflict between the law of the states and federal government, the fed always wins

judicial review

the power of the courts is to declare laws unconstitutional

virginia plan

virginia delegate James Madison’s plan of government, in which states get a number of representatives in congress based on their population

social contract

a voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules

checks and balances

a system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

confederacy

a loose union of independent states

civics

the study of the rights and duties of citizens

government

the governing body of a nation, state, or community

rights

given privileges that someone is entitled to

duties

what you are required or expected to do

how to become a US citizen

be born in the US (14th amendment) or citizenship test (naturalization)

politician

turn political preference (political opinion) into policy (legislation/action)

#1 goal is to win

trend

an observable pattern over time (goes either up, down, or stays the same)

liberalism

government is artificial rather than natural, that the power of government derives from the people, not from God

about doing what what I want as long as it doesn’t infringe on the rights of others

government will step in if I do so

republicanism

putting aside self-interest to pursue the common good

about we as a community having shared common interests

community members should sacrifice some of their rights so that government can assist in attaining those shared common goals

representative democracy

a form of government where the people elect leaders to represent the group and make decision on their behalf

primary source

direct, first-hand accounts that describe a particular time period or event, created at the time the events occurred

what events and ideas led to American independence

taxation without representation, growing political unity among the colonies, colonial protests against the British, fighting between colonists and British soldiers

quartering act

colonists had to pay for lodging of British soldiers

stamp act

require the use of special paper with embossed tax stamp for legal documents

riot act

any group of 12 or more must disperse or face legal action

purpose of the declaration of independence

for colonists to give reason why they can separate from the British and why

the three unalienable rights listed in the declaration of independence

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness

citizens have the right to alter/abolish the government if they are not protection their natural rights

five things the “free and independent states” had the right to do

levy war, conclude peace, contract allies, establish commerce, all the other things that independent states have the right to do

articles of confederation

a new government that was made to remedy the five biggest complaints that the colonists had against the king

limited abuse of government by restricting its power

protect the rights of states to make their own decisions without central government interference

complaint: the king is too powerful

legislative branch only, no executive branch to carry out laws

complaint: lack of representation in British parliament

made the articles amended by unanimous consent of all states

nine out of thirteen states had to approve for laws to be passed

complaint: colonies lack rights and independence

only states could tax

complaint: abuse of the British judicial system

no national judicial system

complaint: military abuse of power

no national military (congress couldn't tax), had to rely on state militias

compromise

a decision by two or more parties to give something up in exchange for another benefit or to make an agreement and find common ground

constitutional convention

55/74 white, male, delegates

George Washington was elected to preside

3/5th compromise

each slave would count as 3/5th of a person towards representation

separation of powers

a constitutional principle that divides the government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial

each branch has its own responsibilities and authority

how to amend the constitution

proposing amendments requires 2/3 of both houses of congress or 2/3 vote of states at a national convention

ratifying amendments requires 3/4 vote of state legislatures or 3/4 vote of states at a national convention

number of states in the union

50

independence day

July 4th, 1776 from Great Britain

basic belief of the declaration of independence

life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, and that all men are created equal

how many presidents

47

who elects the president

electoral college

requirements to being president

at least 35 years old, be a natural born citizen, 14 years as a resident

chambers of congress

senate and house of representatives

senator

100 total (2 per state), elected for 6 years

house of representatives

435 (based on population), elected for 2 years

who becomes president if the president dies

vice president

members of supreme court

9 total, by presidential nomination and senate confirmation

has the power to declare war

congress

commander in chief of the military

president

laws

the rules government makes for all their citizens to follow

performed exclusively by federal government

national security

court system

provided by the government for individuals to resolve conflicts

nation

a large number of people consider themselves united by a common bond

one way government promotes economic stability is

enforcing contracts

four essential features of a state

population, territory, sovereignty, government

governments provide social and economic services for their citizens

in varying degrees

force theory

origin of government comes from the use of violence

US constitution is

the oldest written constitution in the world

governments are classified as on a scale from

authoritarian to democratic

authoritarian government

most details of a citizen’s life are highly controlled by the government

democratic government strength from

the trust and consent of the people

rule of law

everyone is treated fairly under the law

democratic government core principle

individual rights

until the mid 1700s, the US colonies were mostly

self-governing

to pay for the French and Indian War, England

levied new taxes on the colonies

Boston tea party

protest against British taxation and rules

committees of correspondence

was established for the purpose of communicating

first continental congress goal

decide what to do with the colonies’ relationship with Britain

second continental congress prompted by

call for wars with Britain

primary conflict in writing the articles of confederation

national government weak or strong

after the revolutionary war, the thirteen states saw themselves as

independent states

after the revolutionary war, the national government owed

40 million to foreign countries and American soldiers who had yet to be paid

national debt problem

individuals states did not feel responsible for a national debt

land ordinance of 1785 and northwest ordinance of 1787

provided a way to settle western lands

shays’ rebellion

proved that the national government was weak, caused people to fear anarchy

executive branch responsibilities

make treaties

judicial branch responsibilities

serve until they retire, die, or are removed for bad behavior

declare if laws are constitutional

legislative branch responsibilities

coin money, approve presidential appointments, declare war, collect taxes