Gov Midterm

Representative Democracy: people elect individuals to make decisions on their behalf. Ex: Congress, senators, president 

Shay’s Rebellion: 1786. Shay is a farmer from Massachusetts. Upset over economic problems facing by farmers. Washington gathers a militia to put down the rebellion. Wake up call: government is too weak and leads to constitutional convention

Social Contract Theory: John Locke. An agreement between people and government. People give up freedom in exchange for protection from government. If government fails to protect the people, the people have the duty to change/ abolish the government

Articles of Confederation: 1777-1787. First government of the united states. Weak central government, no executive and powerful states. Government has no power to tax, coin money, raise army, settle disputes, no courts, could not borrow money to pay debt. Unicameral legislation. Unanimous consent required to do anything. people/states feared a government that was too powerful

Bill of Rights: 1st ten amendments to the constitution. Added to appease states who were worried about the new constitution. RAPPS (religion, assembly, petition, press). Right to bear arms. No quartering troops. No unreasonable search or seizure. Due process and eminent domain.right to a speedy trial by jury. Right to a trial by jury. No cruel or unusual punishment. 9 etc amendment 10. Any power not given to the gov or denied by the states belongs to the states.

New jersey plan: representation in the legislature should be equal. Should be equal (2 per states). Favored by small states

Virginia plan: representation in the legislature should be proportional (Based on population). favored by large states

Great compromise: bicameral legislature (2 Chambers: senate and house of representatives). Senate has 2 per state. H.O.R would be based on population. (combined makes congress). Leads to 3/5ths compromise. 

U.S. Constitution 1787: Document that outlines the government structure. Supreme law of the land.Federal government. Article 1 sets up legislative. Article two makes executive. Article 3 makes judicial. Separation of powers and checks and balances. Bill of rights and amendments included. 

Federalists: people who support a new/stronger constitution ex: alexander hamilton, james madison, john jay.

Anti-federalists: people who opposed the new constitution ex thomas jefferson, patrick henry. Richard henry lee, george mason

Checks and balances: constitutional principle. Each branch has distinct powers (balances). Each branch can oversee the others (Checks) ex. Executive branch can appoint justices but legislative branch must approve (Senate) ex2: congress passes law; executive sign it or veto it. Ex3 congress passes laws; supreme court can declare it unconstitutional

Federalism: constitutional principle. Government structure in which multiple levels share power. Federal government(supreme authority only fed gov. Can declare war, make treaties, coin money), state government, counties, cities. They share power ex they all can pass laws, enforce laws, tax

Civil liberties: freedoms protected by the bill of rights

Impeachment: process by which government officials can be held accountable by congress. Stars in house: hold hearings conduct investigations; vote to impeach (bring formal charges). Senate holds a trial; votes to remove/punish

Reserved powers (10th amendment): powers not granted to the federal government by the constitution, nor denied to the states belong to the states ex: states can tax, build roads, abortion, issue licenses

Supremacy clause: article 6. establishes that the constitutions, federal laws, and treaties are the supreme law of the land.

Full faith and credit clause: found in article four of the constitution. States that each state must give “full faith and credit” to the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state. Ensures legal decisions made in one state are recognized and enforced in another state.

Block Grants: money the federal government gives to states to fund a specific project or program. States have some flexibility in how money is spent; little federal oversight

Ex post facto laws(after the fact): laws that punish actions that were previously legal when they were committed. Article 1 prohibits the federal government and states from passing ex post facto laws.

Due process clause: fifth amendment/14th amendment. states government cannot deprive a person of life, liberty or property without due process. Due process requires gov’t do follow certain procedure before depriving people of life liberty and property

Establishment clause: found in 1st amendment. Government can not establish an official religion.

Free exercise clause: found in 1st amendment. Government cannot deny people the freedom to exercise (or not) the religion of their choice

Right to privacy: not explicitly stated in the U.S. constitution, but protected by several amendments. 4th amendment: protects against unreasonable searches/seizures. 5th and 14th amendment: guards against undue government interference in personal lives. 9th amendment: more rights listed.

Rights of the accused: 6th amendment: speedy and public trial. Impartial. Must be informed of changes. Right to confront witnesses. Right to a lawyer. Right to present witnesses in their favor.

Voting rights act (1965): signed by LBJ during civil rights movement. Prohibited states from imposing qualifications or practices to deny the right to vote on account of race(ex: literacy tests, grandfather clauses). Permitted direct federal intervention in the electoral process in certain places

Civil rights movement: 1954-1968. Movement that fought for equal rights for african americans. Sit-ins, boycotts, marches, freedom rides, law suits, etc. Leades: MLK, black panthers, malcolm x, rosa parks. Results:civil rights act (1964), voting rights act, fair housing act (1965), fair housing act (1968)

Desegregation: process of ending the separation of people based on race, religion, or culture. Ex: truman desegregated armed forces in 1948. Ex2: brown v. board desegregated public schools (1957)

Voter registration: process by which eligible citizens sign up to be able to vote in elections. Every state has different processes/deadlines

Negative Advertisement: political ads targeting political opponents (makes them look unqualified)

Opinion polls: surveys conducted to gauge voters’ opinions about candidates or policy proposals