US Government Midterm

State

A political organization with four features: population, territory, government, and the power to make and enforce laws

Soverignty

The supreme authority of a state to govern itself without outside interference

Democracy

A system of government in which power comes from the people, either directly or through elected representatives

Republic

A form of democracy where citizens elect representatives to make laws on their behalf

Dictatorship

A system in which one person or a small group holds total power, often gained by force

Oligarchy

A government controlled by a small, elite group, usually based on wealth, military power, or social status

Autocracy

A system where one person has all political power (a dictatorship is a type of autocracy)

Unitary Government

Power is concentrated in a central government (Ex: France)

Federal Governemnt

Power is shared between a national government and state/regional governments (Ex: U.S.)

Confederation

A loose alliance of independent states with a weak central government (Ex: U.S. under the Articles of Confederation)

Social Contract Theory

People agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection and order (Ex: The U.S. Constitution)

Divine Right Theory

God gives rulers the right to rule, and people must obey (Ex: Absolute monarchs like King Louis XIV of France)

Evolution Theory

Government develops naturally over time as families and tribes grow into societies (Ex: Early human societies forming tribal governments)

Force Theory

Government begins when one group uses force to control others (Ex: Empires formed through conquest)

Magna Carta

A document that limited the power of the king and established the rule of law (Influenced ideas of rule of law and due process)

Petition of Right

A document that protected citizens from unfair taxes, imprisonment, and punishment (Reinforced limits on government power)

English Bill of Rights

A law that guaranteed basic rights and limited the power of the monarchy (Inspired protections later included in the U.S. Bill of Rights)

Natural Laws (Natural Rights)

Rights people are born with, such as life, liberty, and property (Foundation for American ideas of freedom and equality)

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches (Prevents tyranny and abuse of power)

Mayflower Compact

An agreement to form a government based on majority rule and self-government (Early example of self-government in America)

"Common Sense"

A pamphlet by Thomas Paine that argued for independence from Britain (Shifted public opinion toward revolution)

Virginia Declaration of Rights

A document listing basic rights and freedoms of citizens (Model for the U.S. Bill of Rights)

Declaration of Independence

A document declaring the American colonies' separation from Britain (Established the idea that governments exist to protect natural rights)

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. constitution that created a weak national government

Philadelphia Convention (1787)

Meeting held to fix the Articles, but resulted in writing a new Constitution

Virginia Plan

Called for a strong national government with representation based on population

New Jersey Plan

Proposed equal representation for each state

Great Compromise

An agreement creating a two-house legislature (bicameral legislature) with different forms of representation

3/5's Compromise

Counted three-fifths of enslaved people for representation and taxation (A political compromise over slavery)

Federalist Papers

Essays written to support ratification of the Constitution (Explained and defended the new government structure)

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments protecting individual freedoms

Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation

No power to tax

No national army

No executive branch

No national court system

Laws required 9/13 states to pass

Amendments required unanimous approval

Differences Between the Virginia Plan & New Jersey Plan (V)

Representation based on population

Favored large states

Bicameral legislature

Strong national government

Differences Between the Virginia Plan & New Jersey Plan (N)

Equal representation

Favored small states

Unicameral legislature

Weaker national government

Major Compromises in Creating the Constitution

Great Compromise → Legislative structure

3/5's Compromise → Slavery & representation

Commerce Compromise → Congress could regulate trade; slavery not banned immediately

Electoral College → Indirect election of the president

Difficulties of Amending the Constitution

Requires very large majorities, not simple majorities

Proposal needs 2/3 of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures

Ratification needs approval from 3/4 of the states

States may disagree, making consensus hard

Process is slow and intentional to protect stability

Nomination

The process by which a political party selects its candidate for office

General Election

The election in which voters choose between party nominees

Caucus

A meeting where party members choose candidates through discussion and voting

Primary Election

An election in which voters select a party's candidate for the general election

Popular Vote

The total number of votes cast by the public for a candidate

Electoral Votes

Votes cast by electors that officially determine the president

Electoral College

A system in which electors chosen by voters elect the president

Gerrymandering

The manipulation of voting district boundaries to favor one party

Democrat

Supports a larger role for government in addressing social and economic issues and emphasizes civil rights and equality

Republican

Supports limited government, free-market economics, and individual responsibility

Independent

A voter or candidate who is not affiliated with the Democratic or Republican Party and may hold a mix of political views

Evolution of Political Parties

Political parties are not mentioned in the Constitution

First parties formed over disagreements about government power

Party beliefs have changed over time based on social, economic, and political issues

The U.S. has become a two-party system because it is hard for third parties to win elections

Election Process for Electors

Voters vote in the general election

Each state has a set number of electors

The candidate who wins the state's popular vote usually gets all electoral votes

Electors cast votes in the Electoral College

A majority of electoral votes wins the presidency

Effects of Gerrymandering

Reduces fair representation

Gives one party unfair political advantage

Can weaken the power of minority or opposing voters

Makes elections less competitive

Can cause politicians to choose voters instead of voters choosing politicians

Expressed/Delegated Powers

Powers clearly written in the Constitution and given to Congress (Ex: taxing, declaring war)

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically listed but necessary to carry out expressed powers (based on the "Necessary and Proper Clause")

Filibuster

A tactic used in the Senate to delay or stop a vote by talking for a long time

Impeach

To formally accuse a government official of wrongdoing (done by the House)

Bill

A proposed law

Interest Group

An organization that tries to influence government policies on specific issues.

Lobbying

When individuals or groups try to persuade lawmakers to support or oppose laws

Incumbent

A person currently holding an elected office

How Does a Bill Become a Law

A bill is introduced in the House or Senate

It goes to a committee for review

The committee may change or approve it

The full House or Senate debates and votes

The bill goes to the other chamber (House or Senate)

Both chambers must pass the same version

The bill goes to the President

Signs it → becomes law

Vetoes it → Congress can override with 2/3 vote

How Is Congress Organized

Bicameral (two houses):

House of Representatives (435 members, based on population)

Senate (100 members, 2 per state)

Leadership:

Speaker of the House

Senate Majority Leader

Committees handle specific topics (ex: finance, defense)

Bully Pulpit

The President's ability to use the office to influence public opinion

Cabinet

Advisors who lead executive departments (ex: Secretary of State

Executive Order

A rule issued by the President that has the force of law

Oval Office

The President's main workspace in the White House

Commander-in-Chief

The President's role as leader of the U.S. military

Executive Privilege

The President's right to keep certain communications private

Veto

The President's power to reject a bill passed by Congress

White House Staff

Advisors and assistants who help the President

Chief of Staff

The President's top aide, manages staff and schedules

Titles in the President's Cabinet

Secretary of State

Secretary of Defense

Secretary of Treasury

Attorney General

Secretary of Education

Secretary of Homeland Security

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Roles of the President

Enforces laws

Signs or vetoes bills

Leads the military

Appoints judges and Cabinet members

Represents the U.S. in foreign policy

Roles of the Vice President

Presides over the Senate

Breaks tie votes in the Senate

Takes over if the President cannot serve

Acts as a key advisor to the President