American Government Final Exam Review Flashcards

Flashcards for American Government Final Exam Review

What are the three branches of Government and which articles of the Constitution outlines each branch?

Legislative- Article I, Executive- Article II, Judicial- Article III

Force Theory

Govt coming to power by superior strength

Evolution Theory

Family structure created govt

Divine Right Theory

Royal birth or by God gives monarch power

Social Contract Theory

Govt being created by voluntary participation

Duties of US Citizens

Serve jury, serve as witness, attend school, pay taxes, obey laws, respect rights of others, register for draft (men)

Responsibilities of US Citizens

Vote, volunteer, participate in civic life, understand working of govt

Describe the government structure under the Articles of Confederation

One branch of govt; unicameral legislature

Summarize the common features of the first state constitutions

Independence, bill of rights, separation of powers, checks and balances. Placed most authority with the legislature

Nullification

A legal theory that a state has the right to nullify, or invalidate, any federal law which that state has deemed unconstitutional

Federalism

Division of power between state and national govt

Explain the division of powers between state and national government

Expressed powers- Those powers directly written in the Constitution. Inherent powers- Powers that belong to the national government because it is a national government. Concurrent powers- hose powers shared by the national government and the states. Reserved powers- powers left to the states

Where is the first place voters learn attitudes about other people, authority, and property?

Home/Family

What are the major functions of a Political Party?

To win elections

History of voting rights in the U.S.

1789- only white, male, property owners could vote; 1820- property owner mandate dropped; 1870- 17th Amendment eliminates restriction based on race; 1920- 19th amendment gives suffrage to women; 1971- 26th amendment dropped voting age from 21 to 18

Universal requirements for voting in the United States

18 yrs old, U.S. citizen

Difference between an open and closed primary

Open- Open to all vote despite political affiliations; closed- only those registered to the party can vote in the primary

Explain how mass media influences politics

Most widely used source is the internet

Factors that limit the influence of media on politics?

People generally watch, listen, and read sources that agree with their own viewpoints

Role of interest groups in influencing public opinion

Acquiring access to public officials, lobbying congress, lobby executive, lobby courts

How is power divided between the House and Senate?

To balance the interests of both the small and large states, the Framers of the Constitution divided the power of Congress between the two houses. Every state has an equal voice in the Senate, while representation in the House of Representatives is based on the size of each state's population.

Who is the current Speaker of the House?

Mike Johnson

Who is the current Senate Majority leader?

John Thune

Who are the two Senators from Michigan?

Gary Peters, Elissa Slotkin

Name two members of the House of Representatives from Michigan

Hillary Scholten (MI03), John Moolenaar (MI02) Bill Huizinga(MI04), etc

Who are the leaders of the House and Senate?

Speaker of the House; VP/President Pro Tempore

Requirements to be a member of each house?

Senate: 30 yrs old, 9 yrs Citizen, resident of state you represent; House- 25 yrs old, 7 yrs citizen, resident of state you represent

Where does Congress get its power to tax and what are its limits to the power to tax?

Constitution Article I; Limits- 1. Cannot use tax for private purpose 2. Cannot tax exports 3. Cannot tax churches or religious organizations (income of employees doesn’t count) 4. Indirect taxes must be same rate across nation

Congress’ Commerce Power

Congress can regulate interstate and foreign trade (commerce clause)

Congress’ foreign relations powers

Can raise and support armies, navy and other military branches. Can secure the nation. Can limit military powers of the president

Other powers of Congress

Make laws, tax, commerce naturalization, post office, copyrights and patents, weights and measurements, judicial powers, power over territories, currency power

Necessary and Proper Clause

Congress can make any law they deem necessary and proper

McCulloch v. Maryland

Battle over implied powers. Court sided with McCulloch citing the Necessary and Proper Clause/Elastic clause

How a bill becomes a law

1. Bill is Drafted 2. Introduced in House 3. Sent to Committee 4. Committee Action 5. Rules Committee 6. Floor Action 7. Introduced in Senate 8. Committee Action 9. Bill Called Up 10. Floor Action 11. Conference Committee 12. Vote on Compromise 13. Presidential Action 14. Vote to Override

Filibuster

Stalling tactic in Senate to prevent voting on a bill

Roles of the President

Chief of state (Head of state)-The President as ceremonial head of the United States Chief executive The President as the holder of the executive power of the United States Chief administrator(executive)-The President as the leader of the executive branch of the federal government Chief diplomat-The President as the main architect of American foreign policy and the nation’s chief spokesperson to other countries Commander in chief-The top person in charge of the nation’s armed forces Chief legislator-The President as the main author of public policy Chief of party-The President as the leader of his or her political party Chief citizen-The President as the representative of all the people Chief of economy- The President plans federal budget

Powers given to the President

Serve as commander in chief of the armed forces. Commission officers of the armed forces. Grant reprieves and pardons for federal offenses (except impeachment) Convene Congress in special sessions. Receive ambassadors.

Requirements to be President

35 yrs old, natural born citizen, 14 yr resident of US

Foreign policy and who is the primary conductor of US Foreign policy?

President is primary conductor

According the 25th Amendment, what happens when the presidency is vacated?

VP becomes president and nominates a new VP

1947 Presidential Succession Law- What happens if President and VP is vacated?

Speaker of House becomes President

Who is the Current President?

Donald Trump

Who is the Current Vice President?

JD Vance

Current Chief Justice of the Supreme Court

John Roberts