Civics Exam Review

This set of flashcards covers key concepts related to U.S. government and civics for exam preparation.

Impeachment

A formal process in which an official is accused of unlawful activity, potentially leading to removal from office.

Major weaknesses of Articles of Confederation

1. No power to tax

2. No executive or judicial branch

3. Inability to regulate commerce

4. Difficulty amending the Articles

5. No power to raise a national army

Ways to be a US Citizen

The status of being a member of the United States, which can be obtained by birth or through naturalization.

Naturalization

The legal process by which a non-citizen becomes a citizen of a country.

Duties vs Responsibilities

Duties are legal obligations (e.g., paying taxes), while responsibilities are voluntary actions (e.g., voting) that citizens should fulfill.

BiCameral Legislature

A legislative body that has two separate chambers or houses, such as the U.S. Congress.

Virginia Plan

A proposal for a two-house legislature with representation based on population.

New Jersey Plan

A proposal for a single-house legislature with equal representation for each state.

Connecticut Plan / also known as what

Also known as the Great Compromise, it established a bicameral legislature combining elements of both the Virginia and New Jersey plans.

John Locke

An Enlightenment thinker who believed in natural rights and the social contract as foundational for government legitimacy.

Lord Montesquieu

A political philosopher who advocated for the separation of powers within government to prevent tyranny.

Thomas Hobbes

An Enlightenment philosopher known for his views on strong centralized authority and social contract theory.

Jean Jacques Rousseau

An Enlightenment thinker who emphasized the importance of popular sovereignty and the general will.

Voltaire

An Enlightenment writer who championed civil liberties and freedom of religion.

Social Contract and how it works

An implicit agreement among individuals to form a society and abide by its rules in exchange for protection of their rights.

Supreme Law of the Land and what it means

The Constitution; it means all laws made must conform to it.

Purpose of the Amendments

To allow for changes and adjustments to the Constitution as necessary.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which guarantee individual freedoms and rights.

Name each amendment 1-X

Monarchy

A form of government with a monarch at the head.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy in which people vote on policy initiatives directly.

Representative Democracy

A system of government in which citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf.

Republican Form of Government

A form of government where officials are elected to represent the people.

General Election

An election that determines which candidates will hold office.

Primary and Caucus

Methods used by political parties to select candidates for a general election.

Which 3 Civil War Era Amendments deal with the issues of slavery? What does each do?

The 13th (abolishing slavery), 14th (granting citizenship), and 15th (granting voting rights regardless of race) amendments.

First Amendment Five Freedoms

speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

What did the Anti-Federalists want in the Constitution?

They wanted the Constitution to include a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties, such as freedom of speech and religion, and to limit the federal government’s power.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President.

How does the Electoral College work?

It is the process used to elect the president and vice president based on a system of electors rather than the national popular vote.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.

What is the census and how does it affect the government?

A systematic enumeration of a population, which affects representation and funding in government.

Purpose of the Preamble

To introduce the Constitution and outline its fundamental purposes and guiding principles.

Parts of the Preamble

The six parts are: Form a more perfect union; Establish justice; Insure domestic tranquility; Provide for the common defense; Promote the general welfare; Secure the blessings of liberty.

Purpose of the Articles of the Constitution

To establish the framework for the government of the United States.

Articles I - VII

The sections of the Constitution delineating the structure, powers, and limits of the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, and the processes for amendments.