Civics

CHAPTER 1

1. Define “Civics.” 

The study of the rights and duties of citizenship

2. What does it mean to be a citizen of a country?

Having full membership in that nation's political community, granting you certain rights and responsibilities

3. Which group accounts for the largest share of newcomers to the United States (circa 2007)?

Asia

4. What does it mean that America is now mostly a “service economy?”

That means that most people work services to people, (health, uducation, and lawyers)

5. What are some basic American values that all citizens believe in?

Individualism, equality, democracy, liberty, unity, and diversity. 

6. What is an “institution?” And what are the most important institutions for many Americans?

An institution is a well-established, important entity

7. What two ways can one become an American citizen?

By passing the citizenship test, or by being born in America.

8. What is included in the process of becoming a naturalized citizen?

Applying, attending an appointment, passing an interview, and a civics test, and then taking an oath. 

9. What kind of government is practiced in the United States?

Democracy

CHAPTER 2

1. The United States was originally a colony of which European country?

Britain

2. Which movement in Europe influenced the ideas of the American Revolution?

Enlightenment movement

3. What is a “social contract?”

An agreement between a community and its rulers. 

4. Describe the differences between the New England, Middle, and Southern colonies.

The New England colonies were up north and focusing on shipbuilding, the southern colonies were in the south, focusing on agriculture, and the middle colonies were in the middle, focusing on trade. 

5. What caused the rising tensions between England and the American colonies?

England wanted to control the colonies, but the colonies wanted freedom. 

6. Describe what makes these founding fathers important:

   1. George Washington

First president 

2. Thomas Jefferson

Wrote the Declaration of Independence

3. Benjamin Franklin

Negotiated treaties with France and Britain

4. John Adams

Was the 2nd president and helped draft the Declaration of Independence

7. Why is the Fourth of July celebrated in America?

Because it was the time when America gained independence from England. 

CHAPTER 3

1. Which document is the basis of all US laws?

The constitution

2. What was the first document that was used to govern America? Why did it fail?

The articles of confederation. It failed because of its weak central government and the states’ reluctance to relinquish power. 

3. What was the Great Compromise?

The Great Compromise promised the creation of a bicameral legislature composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

4. What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?

Determined that three out of every five slaves were counted when determining a state's total population for legislative representation and taxation. 

5. What was the major difference between the Federalists and Anti-Federalists?

Federalists were in favor of a strong central government, while Anti-Federalists advocated for a weaker central government with more power in individual states. 

6. What is an amendment in the Constitution?

A formal change or addition to the U.S. Constitution 

7. What is the purpose of the system of “checks and balances” in the Constitution?

To prevent one branch from being too powerful, like the Legislative, Executive, or Judicial branch. 

CHAPTER 4

1. What is the Bill of Rights?

2. Describe the rights of citizens that are protected by the following amendments:

   1. 1st, the freedom of religion, speech, press, and assembly. 

   2. 2nd right to bear arms

   3. 3rd prohibits keeping soldiers in your house, or quartering 

   4. 4th protects individuals from unreasonable searches by the government

   5. 5th guarantees due process of law, protects against self-incrimination 

   6. 6th Amendment guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial

   7. The 7th Amendment guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases

   8. 8th prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments

   9. The 9th states that the enumeration of specific rights in the Constitution does not mean that other rights retained by the people are not also protected. 

3. What is important about these other amendments?

   1. 13th - abolished slavery

   2. 15th - can vote regardless of color or race

   3. 19th - women were allowed to vote

   4. 26th - made the voting age 18. 

CHAPTER 5

1. What are the duties of a citizen?

actively participating in their community and government

2. What are the responsibilities of a citizen?

obeying laws, paying taxes, participating in the democratic process (like voting), and serving on juries

3. What is the difference between duty and responsibility?

Duty means something you are required to do, while responsibility is something that you should do. 

4. What are bureaucracies? How do they help run the county?

A bureaucracy is an organizational structure. Characterized by hierarchy, specialized roles, division of labor, and a strict set of rules and procedures. It's essentially a system designed to manage and coordinate the work of many people effectively. 

CHAPTER 6

1. What is the primary job of the Legislative Branch/Congress?

To pass laws

2. Why is Congress referred to as “bicameral?” What are the names of the two parts of Congress?

Because it has two houses, the Senate and the House of Representatives

3. What is a “census” and how often is it done?

A count of the population is done every 10 years

4. How many members are there in the House of Representatives?

435 representatives

5. How is the number of representatives per state determined?

They are different according to the population of each state

6. What is the title of the leader of the House of Representatives?

Speaker of the house 

7. How many senators are there in the Senate? How many per state?

2 senators per state, 100 in total. 

8. What are some powers that Congress has that no other branch can do?

Declaring war, proposing amendments, writing or debating laws, and collecting and paying taxes. 

9. How does a bill become a law?

The bill is introduced, then referred to the community for review, passed to the other house for debating, and then given to the president where it is either vetoed or passed. 

CHAPTER 7

1. What is the primary job of the Executive Branch?

Carry out and enforce laws. 

2. Who is the leader of the Executive Branch at these different levels?

   1. National: president 

   2. State: governor

   3. City/Town: mayor

3. Who is the current governor of New Jersey?

Phil murphy 

4. What is the name of the group that elects the President? How many electors does a state have?

Electoral college, there are different amounts of electors per state

5. How many electoral votes does a presidential candidate need in order to win?

270 votes

6. What is the maximum number of times a person can be president?

Twice, only 2 terms

7. What are the roles of the president? ( at least 5 of his titles)

Chief executive

Commander in chief

Chief diplomat

Ceremonial head of state

Chief politician

8. What is the role of the vice president?

To become the president if something happens to the president, and can vote if there is a tie. 

9. What is the name of the group of people that advise the president? What are their titles?

The Cabinet consists of the Secretary of State, Treasury, Defense, Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, Homeland Security, and the Attorney General.

10. What is the federal bureaucracy?

Enforces policies and covers day to day operations

11. How can the president be removed from office?

If the house of representatives impeaches, if the senate decides to hold a trial, or even by a ⅔ majority vote in favor by the senate. 

CHAPTER 8

1. What is the primary job of the Judicial Branch? It 

is to interpret and apply laws, ultimately ensuring they are consistent with the Constitution.

2. What is “jurisdiction?” What cases do federal courts have jurisdiction over?

 the authority a court has to hear and decide a case. Federal courts have limited jurisdiction, meaning they can only hear cases specifically authorized by the Constitution or federal law.

3. What is the difference between exclusive jurisdiction and concurrent jurisdiction?

Exclusive jurisdiction means only one court can hear a specific type of case, while concurrent jurisdiction means multiple courts can hear the same case

4. Describe the role of these 3 levels of federal courts

   1. Supreme Court - final appellate court.

   2. Court of Appeals - appellate courts

   3. District Courts - trial courts 

5. What is a “precedent” in court cases?

a previous judicial decision or opinion that serves as a guiding principle or rule for future similar cases

6. How does a person become a Supreme Court Justice?

nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate

7. What is judicial review? Which Supreme Court cases established judicial review?

Judicial review is the power of the courts, especially the Supreme Court, to declare a legislative or executive act unconstitutional. 

8. Who is the defendant in a case trial?

The person accused of a crime

9. What is the role of a jury?

to determine the facts of a case and apply the law as explained by the judge to those facts.

CHAPTER 9

1. What is a political party?

A political party is a group of individuals with shared political beliefs and goals who organize to influence public policy and win elections

2. Describe the policies and supporter base of the two major parties:

   1. Democratic Party - associated with progressive policies that support socioeconomic equality. They advocate for a strong role for the federal government in regulating business and providing social services.

   2. The Republican Party is rooted in the principles of conservatism, social conservatism, and economic libertarianism. 

3. What is a party’s “platform?”

A formal statement outlining a political party’s core principles, goals, and strategies to address key issues. 

4. What is the “national committee?”

Executive leadership boards of political parties are responsible for coordinating activities and strategies. 

5. What is the purpose of a primary election?

To nominate candidates who will represent their political party in the general election

6. What is the difference between an open primary and a closed primary?

An open primary allows voters of any political affiliation to vote in the primary of any party. A closed primary limits participation to voters who are registered members of a political party. 

CHAPTER 10

1. During the early years of American history, which group was the only one that could vote in elections?

White men who owned property

2. What is a “ballot?” And how does a citizen cast their vote?

A device used to cast votes in an election. Citizens can go for in-person voting on election day, In-Person early voting, or even vote by mail. 

3. What are some of the reasons why some Americans choose not to vote?

There are a variety of reasons why people don’t vote, like practical difficulties or deeper feelings of disillusionment with the political process. 

4. How does the Electoral College work?

It is a process used to elect the President and Vice President of the United States. 

5. What does it mean when the USA has a “winner-take-all” system?

It is an electoral system where the candidate who receives the most votes in a given area, like a state or district, wins all the seats or electoral votes. 

6. What usually happens when a candidate is on the campaign trail?

They engage in a variety of activities to gain support and persuade voters to choose them for office, 

CHAPTER 11

1. What is “public opinion?” Where do those opinions come from?

Public opinion refers to the collective beliefs and attitudes. It is an overview of what people think of a certain issue or matter, 

2. What is the role of mass media?

It plays a role in informing the public, shaping opinions, and influencing political discourses. 

3. What are interest groups?

A group of people that seeks to influence public policy based on a particular common interest or concern

4. How is public opinion usually measured?

Surveys, benchmark polls, tracking polls, and focus groups.

5. What does it mean when a politician “leaks” information to the media?

When a politician gives out information to the public that the public is not supposed to know.