American Government Final Review

Checks & Balances

What system divides power between the President, Congress, and the Supreme Court?

Executive Branch

Which branch of government includes the President who has the power to enforce or veto laws?

Legislative Branch

Which branch of government includes the House and Senate, which have the power to make and fund laws?

Judicial Branch

Which branch of government includes the Supreme Court, which has the power to review and interpret laws?

President

In the Executive Branch, who has the power to enforce laws, sign treaties with other nations, and make war?

Supreme Court

In the Judicial Branch, who has the power to determine if Congressional laws and Presidential actions follow the Constitution?

Congress

In the Legislative Branch, who has the power to create laws, fund government, impeach officials, and declare war?

Interprets

What does the Supreme Court do to laws?

Veto

What power allows the President to reject laws?

Amendment

What power allows Congress to change the Constitution with 2/3 approval?

Alexander Hamilton

Which Founder of the United States is known as a Federalist who wanted a strong federal government to promote economic development based on urban manufacturing, industry, and trade?

Federalists

Founders like Alexander Hamilton believed the Constitution was necessary to create a federal government. What is the name of this political band?

Anti-Federalists

Founders like Thomas Jefferson favored the Articles of Confederation because they feared the Constitution would give the federal government too much power. What is the name of this political band?

Bill of Rights

In 1787 ten amendments were added to the Constitution to protect specific rights. What is the name of this document?

House

Which chamber of Congress includes 435 members who serve 2 year terms; power is based on proportional representation or the size of each state's population?

Senate

Which chamber of Congress includes 100 members who serve 6 year terms; power is based on equal representation, which gives each state 2?

Constitution

In 1787, the Continental Congress replaced the Articles of Confederation with a strong federal government capable of enforcing the rule of law in every state. What is the name of this document?

Democracy

What kind of government is ruled by society's majority group who has authority over minority groups?

What is a political party?

A political party is a group of people drawn together by a similar set of beliefs known as an ideology.

What are the five functions of political parties?

Support Candidates, Influence Laws & Policy, Unite Levels of Government, Create Balance, Influence Voters.

What are the 6 factors that can influence party membership?

Family, Economic Status, Major Events, Religion, Occupation, Age

What was the purpose of Federalist Paper #10?

Factions or creation of political parties is against public interest?

What is the role of minor parties?

Spoiler role, critic, innovator, splinter party

What was the purpose of Federalist Paper #51?

Made the Legislative Branch the most powerful and placed limits on the other two branches of government.

What was the purpose of Federalist Paper #78?

Created Judicial Review and the Supreme Court can only interpret not go against the Constitution.

What is a bicameral legislature?

2 house system that is based on representation of the people.

What are the 5 freedoms provided by the 1st Amendment?

Freedom of Speech/Expression, Religion, Press, Assembly, Petition.

What does the 5th Amendment state?

The right to not incriminate oneself and not be tried twice for the same crime.

What is the 6th amendment?

Right to a speedy and public trial, told of the crime, confront witnesses, have a lawyer.

What is the 2nd Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms in order to maintain a well regulated militia.

What is the 3rd amendment?

No quartering of soldiers

what is the 8th amendment?

No cruel or unusual punishment, and excessive bail

What is the 4th amendment?

No unreasonable search and seizure

What was the amendment addressed during the Tinker v. Des Moines Case?

1st amendment, the freedom of speech/expression

What did the supreme court rule during Tinker v. Des Moines?

The Supreme Court supports Tinker and armbands were a demonstration of freedom of speech.

What was the amendment addressed during the Gideon v. Wainwright?

6th amendment.

What did the supreme court rule during Gideon v. Wainwright?

Lawyers are provided regardless of the defendants ability to pay.

What was the amendment addressed during the Korematsu v. United States?

5th amendment. Deprived life, liberty, property without the due process of law.

What did the supreme court rule during Korematsu v. United States?

Supreme Court agreed with the government because of the War time mentality.

What was the amendment addressed during the Brown v. Board of Ed?

14th Amendment

What did the supreme court rule during Brown v. Board of Ed.?

The Supreme Court integrated all schools k-12 stopping segregation in schools.

Who were the anti federalist led by?

Thomas Jefferson

What did the Anti-Federalists believe?

Strong state governments, and a Bill of Rights.

Who led the Federalists?

Alexander Hamilton

What did the Federalists believe?

strong central government and supported the constitution

How members are in the House of Representatives?

435

How many members are in the Senate?

100

What are factors that would cause a person to vote Democrat?

Women, Age 18-29, liberal, income less than $50,000, African American

What are factors that would cause a person to vote Republican?

Men, 45+, Conservative, Income of 50,000-100,000, White

What are major voting qualifications?

18+ years, citizen of the U.S., and a resident

What does the 15th amendment state?

no person can be denied the right to vote based on the color of their skin

What does the 19th amendment guarantee?

Women's right to vote

What is the 26th amendment about?

changed voting age to 18

What political party is represented by a donkey?

Democratic Party

What party is represented by an elephant?

Republican

What do democrats believe in economy?

They support unions, strong economy, increasing the minimum wage.

What do Republicans believe in terms of the economy?

Government should promote a free enterprise, policies should be left to big businesses not too much gov't regulations.

What do democrats believe in environment?

Environment should be protected and that taxes should be raised to protect it. Provide tax credit to companies who become environmentally friendly.

What do republicans believe in environment?

Environment should be protected, but not through government regulations through big business.

What do democrats believe in education?

education should be fully funded by the government.

What do republicans believe in education?

education should be privatized to raise higher level of education.

Define platform

a political party's formal statement of basic principles, stands on major issues, and objectives

Define Third Party

political party that is outside of the top two

Define public policy

the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem

Define political party

a group of people with broad, shared interests

Electoral College

A body of electors who represent the people's vote in choosing the president.

How many votes are needed to win the Presidency?

270 electoral votes

Caucus

Closed meetings for party members who deliberate and choose which candidate to support

primary election

Nominating election held to choose party candidates who will run in the general election

5 steps in the election process

1. Nomination

2. Caucaus

3. Primary Election

4. National Convention

5. General Elections

How many members are in the electoral college based on state?

Based on the 10 year census. Population + 2 senators.

Petition

A formal request for government action by gathering sufficient signatures.

Name Calling

A method of propaganda that is an attempt to turn people against and opponent or an idea by using unpleasant labels or descriptions for that person or idea

Transfer

Using symbols or images that evoke emotion to something unrelated.

Bandwagon

Creating the impression that everyone supports a cause or candidate.

Plainsfolks

The use of folksy or everyday images and language to show that the candidate is a regular person who understands the needs and concerns of the common people.

Testimonial

Having a well known celebrity or personality to endorse a candidate or proposal.

Card Stacking

Presenting facts, statistics, and other evidence that support only one side of an argument

Gilttering Generalities

Using vague, sweeping statements that appeal to voters emotionally, but don't actually say much of anything specific.

One criticism of the Electoral College is that it

A person can win the presidency without a majority of total votes

2020 Election

Trump v. Clinton was a contested election. Clinton won the popular vote but Trump won the electoral college vote.

2000 Election

Bush v. Gore was a contested election. Gore won the popular vote but Bush won the electoral college by 5 votes.

One criticism of the Electoral College is that it

Electors do not have to vote according to the state's popular vote.

One criticism of the Electoral College is that it

Swing states get a majority of the attention during the election year.

How do we determine the amount of electors per state?

Electors are based on the amount of representatives and senators the state has in Congress.

Thomas Hobbes

• believed in monarchy (strong & centralized gov)

• if not controlled, people will descend into chaos (“state of nature”)

• social contract; people should give up some rights for protection & order

John Locke

• natural rights; all people have the inherent right to life, liberty, and property

• limited government power

• consent of the governed

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• consent of the governed; a gov is only legitimate if recognized by the people

• social contract; individuals surrender some rights in exchange for protection

• checks & balances

Baron Montesquieu

• separation of power

• checks & balances