US history Constitution

Define Democracy

a system of government by the whole population or all the eligible members of a state, typically through elected representatives.

Representative Democracy

Citizens vote for their government officials and those officials represent the citizens ideas and concerns

Difference between a Us Citizen and non citizen

Right to vote

Purpose of the Declaration of Independence

To justify the action of overthrowing British rule

Author of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas jefferson

Rights of the people

They have the right to overthrow the government if it fails to protect the peopel

Major weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

Can't collect taxes from states, difficult to pass laws bc they need 2/3 vote of congress, difficult to make amendments because they need unanimous vote of states

Great Compromise

House members are elected by the people and the # is based on the population of each state

Senate is selected by state legislatures each has 2 representatives

3/5 compromise

-each slave would count for 3/5 of a person for taxation and representation purposes

Preamble purpose

Lists the goals and purpose of the new government

Primary concerns of the great compromise

Small states wanted equal representation while big states wanted more representation based on population

Primary concerns of 3/5 compromise

Southerners wanted them to be counted for more representation based on population but northerners didn't because they weren't citizens

purpose of legislative branch

Makes the law

Head of house of reps

Speaker of the house- presides over meeting

Head of Senate

Vice President- casts a vote when there's a tie

What are the two house in congress

House of Representatives and Senate

How many House of Representatives are there?

435 House of Representatives (based on population)

house of reps term

2 years, no limit

house of rep qualifications

25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident of state

How is the Speaker of the House chosen?

Chosen by house members

Where do tax bills begin?

House of Representatives

Vote needed to override a president veto

2/3 vote

How many members of senate

100 (2 per state)

Senate term

6 years, unlimited

Qualifications for Senate

30 yrs old, citizen for 9 years, resident of state

purpose of executive branch

Enforces laws

Head of Executive Branch

president

President Qualifications

35 or older, natural born citizen, and lived the US for at least 14 years

Powers of the President

Commander in chief of armed forces to order troops into foreign countries,

Appoints federal judges including Supreme Court, delivers messages to congress, calls congress into special sessions! Grants pardons and reprieves, negotiates international treaties, appoints cabinet, veto congressional bills

Order of succession

Vice President, speaker of the house! President protempore, Secretary of State, members of cabinet

Cabinet and duties

Advise president, runs government bureaucracy in department

How many members in electoral college

538 (senate + house reps + 3 for dc)

Major flaw in electoral college

the winner of the popular vote is not guaranteed the presidency

Why was the electoral college created?

to ensure that the small states would matter and that larger states did not over shadow

Purpose of judicial branch

Interprets law

Head of judicial branch

Chief Justice

How many Supreme Court Justices are there?

9 justices

Term for Supreme Court Justice

life

Purpose of Supreme Court term

To eliminate political influence

Purpose of checks and balances

To prevent one branch of government from having to much power over the other branches.

Legislative check on judicial

impeach judges

Legislative checks on executive

Override bills, approve appointments, impeach, approve treaties

Executive checks on legislative

Veto a bill

Executive check on judicial

appoints judges

Judicial check in legislative

Declare laws unconstitutional

judicial check on executive branch

Can declare presidential acts unconstitutional

Federalism

A political system in which the authority is shared between the national government and state governments

concurrent powers

Raise taxes, borrow money, criminal justice, eminent domain (gov may take private land with just compensation)

Reserved powers

Establish and maintain schools, establish drunk driving laws, establish marriage laws

delegated powers

Coin money, create and maintain armed forces, establish citizenship laws, admit new states

eminent domain

Power of a government to take private property for public use with just compensation

What is an amendment

A change to the Constitution

Why were the amendments created?

To protect the rights of the people against abuses by the government

1st amendment

Freedom of Religion (separation of church and state), Speech (limits on expression), Press, Assembly, and Petition

2nd amendment

Right to bear arms (freedom to own and posses a firearm)

4th amendment

Prohibition against unreasonable searches and seizures (must show probable cause, need a warrant to search)

6th amendment

Rights when in trial (right to a speedy trial, told the charges against them, obtain and confront witnesses, lawyer)

8th amendment

Bail, no cruel and unusual punishments

13 amendment

abolish slavery

14th Amendment

Gave citizenship to former slaves

15th amendment

Guaranteed blacks the right to vote

16th amendment

Authorizes federal income tax

17th Amendment

voters elect their senators directly rather than legislatures

18th Amendment

Prohibition of alcohol

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote

20th Amendment

change of dates for start of presidential/congressional terms

21st Amendment

States are allowed to control alcohol use

26th Amendment

Vietnam war lead to voting age being 18

State legislatures qualifications

US citizen, 21 yrs old, resident of district for 2 years

Term for state house of reps

2 yrs

Term for state senate

4 years

Term of governor

4 years

How many state Supreme Court justices

7

Term for state supreme court justice

10 yrs

Illinois Capital

Spring

What is the flag code

A set of recommended guidelines for the flag. It is not law.

Proper way to treat a worn and tattered flag

Disposed of with care (ceremonially burned)

Procedure to fly a flag at half mast

Should first be hoisted to its peak then lowered to half staff. At night hoist to peak and then lowered to ground