Final Exam Study Guide - KEY

Civics, Lambert, Fall 2011

Part 1: Write definition, rewrite in own words.

  1. Monarchy

Government ran by royal family

  1. Native-Born

Citizen born in the U.S.

  1. Dictatorship

Govt ran by one person with absolute power

  1. Naturalized

Type of citizenship gained by immigrants through testing and paperwork

  1. Direct Democracy

Govt where people have power by meeting together to make decisions

  1. Confederation

Govt system where a power is divided among the states with no central government

  1. Representative Democracy

Govt ran by the people by electing representatives to speak for the people

  1. Articles of Confederation

Document setting up the first government of the U.S., a weak state based govt

  1. Constitution

Document that set up the current form of U.S. government, by Madison

  1. Declaration of Independence

Document that declared the U.S.’s independence from Britain, by Jefferson

  1. Ratification

Formal acceptance, as in of the Constitution

  1. Preamble

Introduction to the Const; set goals of govt

  1. Federalism

System of U.S. govt that separated power between state and federal govt

  1. Majority Rule

Ideal that decisions are made by the largest group of people in a debate, rather than by the rich or powerful

  1. Amendment

Official Change to the U.S. Constitution

  1. Delegated power

Power given to the Federal govt by the Const

  1. Reserved power

Powers kept for the states by the Const

  1. Suffrage

The right to vote, as in Women’s Suffrage (Women’s right to vote)

  1. Legislative Branch Lawmaking branch of government
  2. Executive Branch

Branch that carries out laws

  1. Judicial Branch

Branch that interprets laws

  1. Checks and BalancesSystem that balances branches of govt
  2. Bill

Proposed law being considered

  1. Veto

The presidential power to reject a bill

  1. Pocket Veto

Pres can reject a bill by not signing it

  1. Impeachment

To charge a govt. official with misconduct.

  1. Commander in ChiefPresident’s job to command military
  2. Attorney General

Head of the Dept. of Justice

  1. Visa

Document allows people to visit other countries

  1. Gerrymandering

Drawing congressional district to favor party

  1. Original jurisdiction

Authority to be 1st to hold trials

  1. Appellate Jurisdiction Authority to Appeal prior cases
  2. Supreme Court

Highest court, appellate and original jurisdiction

  1. Profit

Income after expenses are paid

  1. Monopoly

Country that controls all of a good or service

  1. Scarcity

Limited resources

Part 2: Short Answer

  1. Which concept keeps the government from becoming too powerful?

Separation of Power and Checks and Balances

  1. What are the two ways citizenship can be gained?

Birth (Native-Born) and Naturalization

  1. Why were the Articles of Confederation tossed out in favor of the Constitution?

The had a weak central government, which made it hard for the U.S. to function, organize a military, pay debts, and much more

  1. Why was Congress weak under the Articles of Confederation?

Could not organize a military, pay debts, and pay soldiers, trade between states, etc

  1. In what ways does the U.S. population increase?

Natural increase (more born than die), immigration, adding territory

  1. All powers not mentioned in the Constitution are reserved for whom?

The states

  1. List the 5 freedoms of the 1st amendment.

Speech, Religion, Press, Assembly, Petition

  1. Why did many of the states refuse to ratify the U.S. constitution?

They wanted a list of our rights, as was added with the Bill of Rights

  1. List 3 powers shared by the state and federal governments.

Taxes, Create banks, create laws, enforce laws

  1. What factors make our Constitution an “enduring document”?

It is easy to adapt to the change of times through Amendments and interpretation

  1. Double Jeopardy – What is it? Which Amendment is it in?

You cannot be tried for the exact same crime twice, 5th Amendment

  1. What right is guaranteed by the eighth Amendment?

Right to protection from cruel and unusual punishment

  1. Which type of government would you consider the U.S.? United Kingdom?

Constitutional Monarchy

  1. Explain the difference of direct and representative democracy.

Direct is where people meet together to make decisions. Representative is where you elect someone to make decisions for you.

  1. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?

To declare our independence from Britain and explain the purpose of a good government

  1. Who is “The Father of the Constitution” and why?

James Madison, he kept a journal of all events and did a lot of the work on it.

  1. Why did the Constitutional Convention meet in private?

To avoid corruption from outsiders and because they were considered by many to be “messing up the country”.

  1. The Constitution was meant to “insure domestic tranquility”. What does this mean?

This meant to have peace within the U.S.

  1. The Constitution was meant to “Secure the blessings of Liberty”. What does this mean?

Protect the rights of the citizens

  1. How is an Amendment made? Explain.

Congress proposes by 2/3rd vote in both houses OR 2/3rd of the states can propose. Must be ratified, or passed, by 3/4th of the states.

  1. Name and explain the TWO amendments that secure our homes.

3rd – Keeps soldiers from being quartered, or housed, in our homes during times of peace. 4th – Protects us from illegal search and seizure.

  1. Compare and contrast the 13th, 14th, & 15th Amendments.

All are Civil Rights Amendments, giving rights to African-Americans. 13th - freedom from slavery, 14th - citizenship, and 15th - right to vote.

  1. List TWO of the ways African Americans were prevented from voting AFTER the 15th amendment.

Poll Taxes, Literacy Tests, and the Grandfather Clause prevented many blacks from voting.

  1. What is repeal? Explain the Amendment that was repealed by the 21st Amendment.

Repeal is an amendment that gets rid of or cancels out another amendment. The 21st amendment was a repeal, canceling out the 18th amendment which prohibited use or sale of alcohol.

  1. In what ways does the Judicial branch check and balance the Executive branch?

Judicial Review (can declare actions of the president as unconstitutional), free from executive control.

  1. What is the law of supply? Law of demand?

Businesses will provide more of a product if they can make more $ from it. Buyers will demand more of a product if they can get it cheaper.

  1. What two presidents were impeached?

Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton, neither was removed from office.

  1. Who is the leader of the Senate?

Vice President, and President Pro Tempore when VP is not available.

  1. Who is the leader of the House of Representatives?

Speaker of the House

  1. Name the qualifications to be US president.

35 yrs old, Native-born U.S. Citizen, Resident of U.S. for 14 years

  1. What is the elastic clause?

Necessary and proper clause that allows Congress to stretch the Constitution to make laws.

  1. What are the 3 things a president can do with a bill?

Sign it, Veto, Pocket Veto

  1. How many members are in Senate? House of Representatives?

100, 435

  1. What are the 3 levels of federal courts?

District Court, Appellate Court, Supreme Court

  1. What are the 4 principle sources of law?

Statutory Law – laws made by Congress, Common Law – law by precedent and common sense, Administrative Law – created by govt agencies for our safety and daily life, Constitutional Law – Law taken directly from Constitution.

  1. What are the 3 basic economic systems?

Traditional – Trade and Barter, Command – Govt controlled, Market – Controlled by the consumers and demand

  1. How do the other 2 branches of government check and balance the Judicial Branch?

Executive – President appoint justices, Legislative – Congress can impeach Supreme Court justices.

  1. Which level of federal courts is able to use both forms of jurisdiction?

Supreme Court can use both Appellate and Original (in some situations).

  1. What is Gross Domestic Product? How is it used?

Dollar value of goods and services produced annually in a country. Used as a measure of a country’s economic health.

  1. List the steps of “How a Bill Becomes a Law”.

Introduce the bill  First House Committee Hearing  Full House Hearing  Second House Committee hearing  Full House Hearing  Back to Original House to approve changes if needed  President’s Desk

  1. What type of economy do we have in the U.S.? Explain.

Mixed economy – Mostly market economy, but some government regulations make it a partial command economy

  1. List the order of Succession.

President  Vice President  Speaker of the House  President Pro Tempore  Cabinet members by order of creation

  1. When does the Supreme Court use original jurisdiction?

Involving diplomats and leaders of other countries, cases between states, cases between state and federal government

  1. How are Supreme Court justices replaced and how long is their term?

A justice serves for life, until he retires or dies, and the current President replaces him with a candidate of his choosing.