U.S. and Georgia Government: Key Concepts and Structures

What are the three branches of the U.S. government?

Legislative, Executive, Judicial.

What does the Legislative Branch do?

Makes laws.

What does the Executive Branch do?

Enforces laws.

What does the Judicial Branch do?

Interprets laws.

What is the main body of the Legislative Branch?

Congress (House + Senate).

How many U.S. Senators does each state have?

Two.

How long is a term for a U.S. Senator?

6 years.

How long is a term for a U.S. Representative?

2 years.

Who is the head of the Executive Branch?

The President.

What is the Supreme Law of the land?

The Constitution (Supremacy Clause).

What does separation of powers mean?

Power is divided among branches to avoid tyranny.

What is checks and balances?

Each branch can limit the others.

How can Congress override a presidential veto?

With a 2/3 vote in both chambers.

What is judicial review?

Courts can declare laws unconstitutional (Marbury v. Madison).

What are the first 10 amendments called?

The Bill of Rights.

What does the 1st Amendment protect?

Speech, religion, press, assembly, petition.

What does the 2nd Amendment protect?

Right to bear arms.

What does the 4th Amendment protect?

No unreasonable search and seizure.

What does the 5th Amendment protect against?

Self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and guarantees due process.

What does the 6th Amendment guarantee?

Right to counsel and a fair, speedy trial.

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

Cruel and unusual punishment.

What did the 13th Amendment do?

Abolished slavery.

What did the 14th Amendment establish?

Citizenship, due process, equal protection.

What did the 15th Amendment do?

Prohibits denying voting rights based on race.

What did the 19th Amendment do?

Women's suffrage.

What did the 26th Amendment do?

Voting age lowered to 18.

What is the legislative body in Georgia called?

The Georgia General Assembly.

What two chambers make up the Georgia General Assembly?

Georgia House of Representatives and Georgia Senate.

How long are Georgia state senate and house terms?

Both are 2-year terms.

Who is the head of Georgia's executive branch?

The Governor.

How long is a Georgia governor's term?

4 years.

How many consecutive terms can the Georgia governor serve?

Two.

Who is the President of the Georgia Senate?

The Lieutenant Governor.

What is unique about the Georgia Lieutenant Governor?

Elected separately from the Governor.

What is the highest court in Georgia?

The Georgia Supreme Court.

How are Georgia judges selected?

Nonpartisan elections.

What does the Georgia Constitution require regarding the state budget?

A balanced budget.

How many counties are in Georgia?

159.

What is home rule?

Local governments can manage local affairs without state interference.

Who approves Georgia constitutional amendments?

A majority of voters in a statewide election.

What is due process?

Fair treatment under the law.

What is equal protection?

Laws must apply equally to all citizens.

What rights are guaranteed to accused persons in Georgia?

Right to counsel, bail, trial, protection from self-incrimination.

What is habeas corpus?

The right to not be held without being charged.

What did Marbury v. Madison establish?

Judicial review.

What principle did McCulloch v. Maryland reinforce?

Federal supremacy and implied powers.

What did Gibbons v. Ogden expand federal power over?

Interstate commerce.

What did Brown v. Board of Education rule?

Segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

What are the voting requirements in Georgia?

U.S. citizen, GA resident, 18+, not convicted of certain felonies (unless rights restored).

Who is responsible for conducting elections in Georgia?

The Georgia Secretary of State.

Who wrote most of the Federalist Papers?

Alexander Hamilton and James Madison (with John Jay)

Who authored Federalist #10 and #51?

James Madison

Federalist #10 focuses on what issue?

The danger of factions

How does Madison define a faction?

A group united by interests adverse to others or the public good

Why can factions not be eliminated?

Eliminating them would destroy liberty

What is Madison's solution to factions?

A large republic with many competing interests

Federalist #51 addresses what concept?

Separation of powers and checks and balances

What supports the idea that 'Ambition must be made to counteract ambition'?

Checks and balances

When was the U.S. Constitution written?

1787

When was the U.S. Constitution ratified?

1788

When did the U.S. Constitution take effect?

1789

Who is known as the Father of the Constitution?

James Madison

How many Articles are in the Constitution?

Seven

What does Article I establish?

Legislative Branch

What does Article II establish?

Executive Branch

What does Article III establish?

Judicial Branch

What clause makes federal law supreme?

Supremacy Clause (Article VI)

What is federalism?

Shared power between national and state governments

What are enumerated powers?

Powers explicitly given to Congress

Implied powers come from what clause?

Necessary and Proper Clause

Reserved powers are found in which amendment?

10th Amendment

Interstate commerce is governed by what clause?

Commerce Clause

What amendment protects against unreasonable searches?

4th Amendment

What is the standard needed for a search warrant?

Probable cause

What amendment guarantees due process?

5th and 14th Amendments

Which amendment incorporates rights to the states?

14th Amendment

Which amendment abolished slavery?

13th Amendment (1865)

What did Marbury v. Madison (1803) establish?

Judicial review

Who was the Chief Justice during Marbury v. Madison?

John Marshall

What did McCulloch v. Maryland (1819) rule?

Federal supremacy and implied powers

What did Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) expand?

Federal commerce power

What did Plessy v. Ferguson (1896) establish?

'Separate but equal'

What did Brown v. Board of Education (1954) overturn?

Plessy v. Ferguson

Who was President during Brown v. Board?

Dwight D. Eisenhower

What did Miranda v. Arizona (1966) require?

Miranda warnings

Who was President during Miranda v. Arizona?

Lyndon B. Johnson

How many constitutions has Georgia had?

Ten

When was Georgia's current constitution ratified?

1983

Does Georgia impose term limits on governors?

Yes — two consecutive 4-year terms

Does the Georgia Governor have line-item veto power?

Yes

Who holds executive clemency power in Georgia?

State Board of Pardons and Paroles (not the Governor)

Who presides over the Georgia Senate?

Lieutenant Governor

What are the responsibilities of the Lieutenant Governor?

Presides over Senate, assigns committees

Who are the elected executive officers in Georgia?

Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Commissioner of Agriculture, State School Superintendent, PSC

What are the qualifications for Georgia Attorney General?

U.S. citizen, Georgia resident, licensed attorney

What are the responsibilities of the Attorney General?

Chief legal officer, represents the state in court

How many members are in the Georgia General Assembly?

236 (180 House, 56 Senate)

What is the term length for Georgia legislators?

2 years

How long is a legislative session in Georgia?

40 legislative days

What is a special session?

Governor-called session outside regular schedule