Civics Flashcards
Government and other stuff
Hobbe’s: (state of nature) (social contract) (purpose of government) (possible course of action of people)
People shouldn’t govern themselves because they are naturally selfish and confrontational Strong leadership is needed
“during the time men lived without a common power to keep them in awe, they are in that conditions called war; and such a war, as if of every man, against every man” (Hobbes).
Locke’s: (state of nature) (social contract) (purpose of government) (possible course of action of people)
Government can’t happen unless people agree to it. If the government isn’t protecting natural rights then people should think about a new government.
“All mankind… being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, health, liberty or possessions” (Locke).
Unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence
“life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John adams
What are the differences between the Virginia plan, New Jersey plan, and Connecticut Compromise
VP: proposed a strong central government composed of three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial
NJP: represented the less populated states and wanted each state in the nation to have an equal amount of representatives in government
CC: pivotal agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that resolved the dispute between large and small states regarding representation in the new federal government
Differences between Pluralist, Elitist, and pure representative democracies
P: a model of democracy in which no one group dominates politics and organized groups compete with each other to influence policy
E: a model of democracy in which a small number of people, usually those who are wealthy and well-educated, influence political decision making
PR: our government is elected by citizens
Common characteristics all first state constitutions had
supports popular sovereignty, limited government, and the separation of powers among branches
6 goals of the constitution (PREAMBLE)
(form a more perfect union) (establish justice) (insure domestic tranquility) (provide for the common defense) (promote the general welfare) (secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our prosperity)
define: representative government - limited government - ordered gov - federalism - diplomacy
RG: : democracy in which the power is exercised by the people through their elected representatives
LG: government in which its functions and powers are written, limited, and restricted by law
OG: structured system of governance that maintains order through established laws and regulations
F: a system of gov in which power is divided and shared between the national and state governments
D: how they conduct their affairs, in ways to safeguard their interests and promote their political, economic, cultural or scientific relations, while maintaining peaceful relationships
know the rights of the first 15 amendments
1- freedom of speech, press, religion, assembly and petition
2- well regulated militia
3-no courting soldiers
4- unlawful search and seizure
5- no person shall have to answer to a capital crime (I plead the fifth - silence)
6- right to a speedy fair trial (lawyer etc)
7- $20 can have a jury trial (significant losses can be brought to court)
8-excessive bail punishment cruel etc (death row)
9- rights in the constitution are not the only ones you have (edu)
10- only powers not given to federal government are given to the states and the people (edu)
11- can’t sue a state unless you reside there
12- president and vice president from the same ballot (2 different not 1 merged)
13- Slavery abolished
14- Civil rights guaranteed
15- Black voting rights
define: habeas corpus - bill of attainder - writ of certiorari - elastic clause - delegated powers - concurrent powers - reserved powers
HC: a procedure under which a federal court may review the legality of an individual’s incarceration
BoA: legislation that imposes punishment on a specific person or group of people without a judicial trial
WoC: a request that the Supreme Court order a lower court to send up the record of the case for review
EC: gives Congress implied powers necessary and proper to execute its enumerated powers
DP: powers that are granted to the national government by the constitution
CP: powers both the national and state-wide governments have
RP: powers not given to the national government, instead given to the States - 10th amendment
know the following amendments: 18 21 24 25 26
18- Prohibition
21- Repeal prohibition
24- No poll tax to limit voters!
25- Succession (if prez dies)
26- 18 can vote!!!
How many states to ratify an amendment
38 or 3/4
What were the articles of confederation
the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain - the Thirteen Colonies
Purpose of the PREAMBLE in the constitution
Communicates the purpose of the constitution
How many articles are in the constitution
seven
How many amendments have been made to the constitution
27 amendments
who is president of the Senate
John Thune
How many senators does each state have?
2
How many times may a senator be re-elected?
6 terms
Qualifications for a senator vs a representative?
S: 30 years old, citizen 9 years, live in state elected to represent
H: 25 y.o, citizen 7 years, live in the state represented
Explain the lawmaking process
1) Proposal - writing the bill 2) introduce it - read to the house 3) committee - closely reviewed if approved sent to HOR 4) floor debate - support oppose or changes made 5) HOR vites 6) hand-off - sent to Senate 7) Compromise HOR and Senate 8) another vote 9) president looks over it
Powers given to the Congress by the constitution
delegated powers
(expressed/inherent/implied)
E: coin money, declare war, appoint judges
(I: regulate immigration - Im: making air force)
responsibility of the executive branch
President, his or her advisors and various departments and agencies. This branch is responsible for enforcing the laws of the land - conducts diplomacy with other nations - negotiate and sign treaties - exec order - etc
2 most prominent officials in the executive branch
P and Vp
Qualifications to become president - vice president
P: natural born citizen, 35y.o, resident for 14 years
VP: the same
How long is the presidents term
4 years per 2 terms = 10 years
Cabinet positions and explain their duties
State: US Foreign policy
Treasury: finances and national banks
Defense: defense policy
Justice: enforce the law
Interior: public lands and economic protection
Agriculture: food and natural resources
Commerce: economic growth and job creation
Labor: wages and working conditions
Health/Human Services: public health and medical emergencies
Housing/Urban development: national policy and pricing
Transportation: transportation
Energy:
Education:
Veteran Affairs:
Homeland Security:
Which house of Congress must approve presidential appointments? Which must approve treaties?
Senate for both
Who may call a special session of Congress
governor
What happens if the president is unable to serve because of illness
Vice President takes over
Electoral College (Explain)
Electoral College is how we refer to the process by which the United States elects the President, 538 electors. A majority of 270 electoral votes is required to elect the President. Your State has the same number of electors as it does Members in its Congressional delegation: one for each Member in the House of Representatives plus two Senators
Date that the president takes office
noon Jan 20th
what are the 5 areas of presidential duties
Commander-of-Chief of the Armed forces / Chief Executive / Chief Diplomat / Legislative Leader / Head of State
name the three highest federal courts
94-District Court, 13-Court of Appeals, 1-Supreme Court
how many supreme judges are there
9
How are federal judges selected?
Nominated by President and approved by Senate
how long do federal judges serve?
life term
what is judicial review and how does it affect the constitution (Marbury v. Madison)
gives the Supreme Court and federal courts the authority to interpret the Constitution - limitations on federal courts’ jurisdiction set forth in Article III of the Constitution
Title of the chief official of the supreme court
Chief Justice
what are the 2 ways an amendment to the constitution can be proposed
2/3’s vote for both houses (or) majority of states (34/50)
what are the two ways an amendment can be ratified
by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof
what are the important checks and balances that have been built into our government
E-J: Power to appoint judges J-E: Pardon power
E-L: Veto Laws L-E: Impeach and override 2/3
L-J: Approves federal judges J-L: declare Laws unconstitutional
define: (Ratify) (amend) (lobby) (treaty) (veto) (Compromise)
R: to approve or enact a legally binding act
A: to make changes by + - or substitution
L: attempt to influence the actions of any legislative body (Congress boards councils etc)
T: agreements between nations
V: reject (ex. a law w 2/3 vote)
C: to make a deal between different parties where each party gives up a portion of their demand
difference between redistricting and reapportionment
RD: DRAWING electoral boundaries
RA: redistribution of seats in the US HOR based on population change
Describe gerrymandering
the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries to advantage a party within the constituency
Define census
counts every resident in the United States
Know the role of party whips, majority/minority leaders of Congress
PW: ensure party discipline (that members of the party vote according to the party platform rather than their individual beliefs or that of donors or constituents) in a legislature
MJL: responsible for setting the annual legislative agenda, scheduling legislation for consideration, and coordinating committee activity.
MNL: serves as floor leader of the opposition party, and is the minority counterpart to the Speaker
Define subcommittees and special committees
Sub: smaller committees within larger committees in legislative processes
SC: created for specific and special purpose
Define public vs foreign policy
PP: a system of laws, regulatory measures, courses of action, and funding priorities concerning a given topic promulgated by a governmental entity or its representatives
FP: how a country uses different strategies to guide its relationships with other countries and international organizations
what are the functions of the federal bureaucracy
implementation, administration, and regulation
carry out new policies or regulations or laws
differences between the federalists and democratic-republicans (where did they grow from) (which was first)
Federalists advocated a strong central government and held power from 1789-1801
emphasized local and humanitarian concerns and states’ rights
what are the different types of the special-purpose districts
school - water - housing - health - airport - community college
difference between Civic Duties and Civic Responsibility - list them
Civic duty: Taxes, Voting, Jury, Testifying, obeying the law - etc
Responsibility: participation in civil life - throwing away garbage - volunteering - etc
What year did IL become a state
Dec 3 1818
Name all past and present IL state capitals
Kaskaskia Vandalia and Springfield
how many constitutions did IL have
4
what year was the current IL constitution accepted
Dec 15 1970
purposes of the 1970 IL constitution
updated voter rights, changed government powers (includes preamble and bill of rights) designation of legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government
what is the main body in the legislative branch
Congress
two houses of the constitution
HOR and Senate
qualifications for becoming a member of the legislature
US citizen, at least 21 years old, and must be a resident to his represented district 2 years prior to election or appointment
how many members in the Senate? in the HOR?
50 - 435
Officers of the Senate?
the Secretary of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, chaplain, and majority and minority party secretaries
Officers of the House?
Chaplain , the Chief Administrative Officer , the Clerk of the House , and the Sergeant at Arms
How soon must a bill (passed by both houses) be sent to the governor
within 30 days
What can the general assembly do after a veto by the governor
Override with a 2/3 vote
who are the officers (by office) in the executive branch
Governor, Lt governor, attorney general, secretary of Treasury, comptroller, most state agencies, etc
what are the duties of the governor
appoint members of government - reorganize any executive agencies with approval - grant pardons - report conditions of the state - commander-in-chief of the state militia - call special sessions - submit state budget - appoint replacement to vacated seat in the US senate
how many counties are in IL
102
duties of the IL supreme court
(Springfield) Highest court in IL face the most extreme cases and judge lawfully - this court has the final say
How many Illinois supreme court justices serve
7 members - Chief of Justice and 6 justices
what are the duties of appellate court
Review cases from circuit courts and see if the law was applied correctly
how many appellate courts or judicial districts are there
5 appellate or judicial courts (Ottawa)
what are the duties of the circuit court
(Courthouse downtown) see the average cases or trial courts
which amendment gave 18 year-olds the right to vote
26th amendment
Special purpose districts (examples)
Fire departments - water services - public school districts
Who prepares and submits the state budget each year
the governor (JB Pritzker)
who are the two IL senators
Richard J Durbin and Tammy Duckworth (both democrats)
How many representatives does IL have in the HOR
118 - 2 year termss
