Braches of US Govt and how they can check each other

Key Concepts:
- Natural Rights: Rights inherent to human beings, not dependent on governments.
- Social Contract: An agreement among individuals to form a government that will protect their rights.
- Popular Sovereignty: The principle that authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people.

The Articles of Confederation:
- First governing document of the U.S.
- Established a weak national government with no executive or judicial branches.
- Issues: Inability to tax, regulate commerce, and maintain order led to its replacement.
The Constitutional Convention:
- Aimed to address issues of the Articles of Confederation.
- Resulted in the creation of a stronger federal government.
- Key compromises:
- The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise): Established a bicameral legislature.
- Three-Fifths Compromise: Counted slaves as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxation.
Constitutional Principles:
- Separation of Powers: Division of government responsibilities into distinct branches.
- Checks and Balances: System where each branch can monitor and limit the functions of the other branches.
- Federalism: Division of power between national and state governments.

Bill of Rights:
- First ten amendments to the Constitution.
- Guarantees individual liberties such as freedom of speech, religion, and due process.
Amendment Process:
- Proposal by 2/3 of both houses of Congress or a national convention called by 2/3 of state legislatures.
- Ratification by 3/4 of state legislatures or state conventions.

Types of Federalism:
- Dual Federalism: State and national governments operate independently.
- Cooperative Federalism: Collaboration between state and national governments.
Key Supreme Court Cases:
- McCulloch v. Maryland: Established the supremacy of the federal government over state governments.
- US v. Lopez: Limited Congress's power under the Commerce Clause.

Political Socialization:
- Process by which individuals acquire political beliefs and values. Influenced by family, media, education, and environment.
Diverse Political Attitudes:
- Liberalism: Advocates for civil rights, social justice, and a more active role of the government in the economy.
- Conservatism: Emphasizes limited government, free market, and traditional social values.
- Socialism: Advocates for social ownership and democratic control of the means of production.

Voting Behavior:
- Factors influencing voter turnout include age, race, education, and socioeconomic status.
Political Parties and Interest Groups:
- Major political parties: Democrats and Republicans.
- Role of interest groups in influencing policy and elections through lobbying and advocacy.