civics pt
Precedent
A previous court decision used as an example for future similar cases.
Stare Decisis
"Let the ruling stand," meaning courts usually follow precedent.
Judicial Activism
A tendency to overturn past decisions or rule laws unconstitutional.
Judicial Restraint
A tendency to let prior decisions and laws stand.
Supreme Court Composition
The Supreme Court has 9 justices: 8 associate justices and 1 chief justice.
Supreme Court Appointment Process
Supreme Court justices are appointed by the president, approved by the Senate, and serve for life.
Electoral College
The system used to officially elect the president of the United States.
270 Electoral Votes
A candidate needs 270 electoral votes to win the presidency.
Swing States
States that can be won by either major political party and are very important in presidential elections.
Why Swing States Matter
Swing states matter because they can decide who wins the Electoral College.
If No Candidate Wins a Majority
If no presidential candidate wins a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the president state by state from the top three candidates.
Choosing the Vice President if Needed
If no vice presidential candidate wins or the office must be filled, the Senate or Congress may have a role depending on the situation.
Political Parties
Organizations of people with similar political beliefs who try to win elections and influence government.
Republican Party
A major political party usually associated in class notes with smaller government, lower taxes, conservative ideas, and the color red.
Democratic Party
A major political party usually associated in class notes with more social programs, liberal ideas, and the color blue.
Conservative
A political viewpoint often connected with tradition, smaller government, and lower taxes.
Liberal
A political viewpoint often connected with change, more government programs, and expanded social services.
Red States
States that usually vote Republican.
Blue States
States that usually vote Democratic.
Checks and Balances
A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.
Why Checks and Balances Matter
Checks and balances prevent one branch from becoming too powerful.
Congress Checks the President
Congress can override vetoes, approve appointments, approve treaties, investigate the executive branch, and impeach officials.
President Checks Congress
The president can veto bills passed by Congress.
Supreme Court Checks Congress
The Supreme Court can declare laws unconstitutional.
Supreme Court Checks the President
The Supreme Court can declare executive actions unconstitutional.
Essay Topic: The Branches of the Government
The U.S. government is divided into three branches: the Legislative Branch, the Executive Branch, and the Judicial Branch. Each branch has a different job. This system is important because it spreads out power instead of giving all power to one person or one group.
The Legislative Branch is Congress. Congress is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Its main job is to make laws. Congress can also declare war, propose constitutional amendments, approve treaties and appointments through the Senate, and impeach federal officials.
The Executive Branch is led by the president. Its main job is to enforce laws. The president can sign bills, veto bills, issue executive orders, appoint judges, pardon people, and serve as Commander in Chief of the military.
The Judicial Branch is made up of the federal courts, including the Supreme Court. Its main job is to interpret laws. The Supreme Court uses judicial review to decide whether laws or government actions are constitutional. This power was established in Marbury v. Madison.
Checks and balances means each branch has ways to limit the power of the other branches.
For example, Congress can pass a bill, but the president can veto it. However, Congress can check the president by overriding the veto with a 2/3 vote. The president appoints judges, but the Senate must approve many appointments. The Supreme Court can check both Congress and the president by declaring laws or executive actions unconstitutional.
How many times Congress has proposed amendments
Congress has proposed constitutional amendments 33 times.
House choosing the President
If no presidential candidate receives a majority, the House of Representatives chooses the president, voting state by state from the top three candidates.
When the House chose the President
The House chose the president in 1801 and 1825.
Senate choosing the Vice President
If needed, the Senate chooses the vice president, with individual senators casting votes.
When the Senate chose the Vice President
The Senate chose the vice president in 1837.
Congress approving a new Vice President
When the president appoints a new vice president, a majority of both houses of Congress must approve the choice.
Federal officials impeached
17 federal officials have been impeached.
Federal officials convicted after impeachment
7 federal officials have been convicted after impeachment, all of them federal judges.
Can Congress repeal a treaty?
Yes, Congress can repeal or override a treaty through later law.
Presidential salary
The president earns $400,000 per year, set in 2001, plus $50,000 for expenses.
Who decides the president's salary
Congress decides the president's salary, and it cannot be changed while the president is in office.
Presidential benefits
The president receives benefits such as the White House, Air Force One, Camp David, a fleet of cars, staff, offices, and healthcare.
Common historical characteristics of presidents
Historically, many presidents had political or military experience, were politically acceptable, married, white, male, Protestant, and of Northern European ancestry.
Barack Obama and presidential characteristics
Barack Obama broke some common historical presidential characteristics by becoming the first African-American president.
Presidency as powerful office
The presidency has been called the most powerful office in the world.
Stewardship theory
Theodore Roosevelt's idea that the president should do whatever helps the public, using any powers that can reasonably be claimed.
William Howard Taft's view of presidential power
Taft believed presidents should have limited powers and only use powers clearly based on the Constitution.
Examples of executive orders
Examples include Truman integrating the armed forces and Eisenhower supporting desegregation of American schools.
Recess appointment
When the Senate is not in session, the president can temporarily fill vacancies through recess appointments.
Removal power
The president generally has the power to remove officials they appoint, except federal judges and some officials protected by special rules.
First Congress and removal power
The First Congress gave the president power to remove appointed officers except federal judges.
1935 court ruling on removal power
Congress can set conditions for removing members of independent regulatory agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission.
Presidential advisers and confidentiality
Presidential advisers must believe their advice can remain confidential so they can speak freely and honestly to the president.
Dred Scott v. Sandford
A Supreme Court case that helped set the stage for the Civil War.
Roe v. Wade
A Supreme Court case that invalidated state abortion laws, but it was later overturned.
Thurgood Marshall
The first African-American Supreme Court justice, appointed by President Lyndon B. Johnson.
Sandra Day O'Connor
The first woman Supreme Court justice, appointed by President Ronald Reagan.
Sonia Sotomayor
The first Hispanic Supreme Court justice, appointed by President Barack Obama.