Civics Flashcards
Civic Life
the public life of citizens concerned with affairs of the community and nation
Civil Society
refers to the complex network of freely formed voluntary political, social, and economic associations (ex. labor unions, youth organizations, and clubs). It prevents the abuse or excessive concentration of power by government.
Government
the formal institutions and processes of a politically organized society with authority to make, enforce, and interpret laws and other binding rules about matters of common interest and concern. The term “government” also refers to the group of people who exercise decision-making power or enforce laws and regulations.
Politics
is a process by which people reach collective decisions that are generally regarded as binding and enforced as common policy
Marbury vs. Madison 1803
Judicial Review
McCulloch v. Maryland 1819
Federal Government had the right and power to set up a Federal bank and that states did not have the power to tax the Federal Government.
How many articles does the Constitution have? What are they?
Seven.
1. Legislative Branch
2. Executive Branch
3. Judicial Branch
4. Relations Among States
5. Amending the Constitution
6. Supremacy of the Constitution
7. Ratification
Gibbons v. Ogden 1824
federal government has exclusive power over interstate commerce.
Popular Sovereignty
A government based on the consent of the people
Republicanism
A theory of government that emphasizes the participation of citizens for the common good of the community. All citizens are equally subjected to the laws.
Dred Scott v. Standford 1857
Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court. The Court also ruled that Congress lacked power to ban slavery in the U.S. territories.
Rule of Law
Rulers aren’t above the law but are subject to it the same as everyone else.
Munn v Illinois 1877
States may regulate the use of private property when such regulation becomes necessary for the public good.
Plessy v. Ferguson 1896
the constitutionality of “separate, but equal facilities” based on race.
English Bill of Rights
Guaranteed rights: The king must get taxes approved. The king cannot stop free speech in parliament. The king cannot maintain an army in time of peace. The king couldn’t require excessive bail or cruel punishment. The king had to support and obey laws.
Lochner v. New York 1905
New York law setting maximum working hours for bakers was unconstitutional.
Schenck v. United States 1919
speech creating a “clear and present danger” is not protected under the First Amendment. This decision shows how the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the First Amendment sometimes sacrifices individual freedoms in order to preserve social order.
Near v. Minnesota 1931
Court found that a Minnesota law allowing public officials to censor printed news periodicals was unconstitutional
Gettysburg Address
Lincoln defined the Civil War as a way of securing the Declaration of Independence’s promise of equality of all people. The speech transformed the meaning of the Civil War, which had previously
been about preserving the Union, and compelled a rethinking of the meaning of America’s Founding documents.
Korematsu v. United States 1944
allowed the federal government to detain a person based on their race during a wartime situation. (Japanese Americans)
Magna Carta
Stated that governments are agreements between a ruler and people. Two important points: 1. Nobles would obey the king if he protected their rights. 2. Rule of Law/Limited Power
Brown v. Board of Education 1954
No segregation in schools
Mapp v. Ohio 1961
evidence obtained illegally may not be used against someone in a court of law by the Fourth Amendment.
Mayflower Compact
Pilgrims. Two important things: 1. Self-government - ordinary people make laws and govern. 2. Majority rule.