Civics Flashcards

Government and other stuff

1
Q

Hobbe’s: (state of nature) (social contract) (purpose of government) (possible course of action of people)

A

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).

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2
Q

Locke’s: (state of nature) (social contract) (purpose of government) (possible course of action of people)

A

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).

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3
Q

Unalienable rights in the Declaration of Independence

A

“life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”

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4
Q

Who wrote the Declaration of Independence

A

Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin, John adams

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5
Q

What are the differences between the Virginia plan, New Jersey plan, and Connecticut Compromise

A

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

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6
Q

Differences between Pluralist, Elitist, and pure representative democracies

A

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

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7
Q

Common characteristics all first state constitutions had

A

supports popular sovereignty, limited government, and the separation of powers among branches

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8
Q

6 goals of the constitution (PREAMBLE)

A

(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)

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9
Q

define: representative government - limited government - ordered gov - federalism - diplomacy

A

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

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10
Q

know the rights of the first 15 amendments

A

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

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11
Q

define: habeas corpus - bill of attainder - writ of certiorari - elastic clause - delegated powers - concurrent powers - reserved powers

A

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

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12
Q

know the following amendments: 18 21 24 25 26

A

18- Prohibition
21- Repeal prohibition
24- No poll tax to limit voters!
25- Succession (if prez dies)
26- 18 can vote!!!

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13
Q

How many states to ratify an amendment

A

38 or 3/4

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14
Q

What were the articles of confederation

A

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

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15
Q

Purpose of the PREAMBLE in the constitution

A

Communicates the purpose of the constitution

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16
Q

How many articles are in the constitution

A

seven

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17
Q

How many amendments have been made to the constitution

A

27 amendments

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18
Q

who is president of the Senate

A

John Thune

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19
Q

How many senators does each state have?

A

2

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20
Q

How many times may a senator be re-elected?

A

6 terms

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21
Q

Qualifications for a senator vs a representative?

A

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

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22
Q

Explain the lawmaking process

A

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

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23
Q

Powers given to the Congress by the constitution

A

delegated powers
(expressed/inherent/implied)
E: coin money, declare war, appoint judges
(I: regulate immigration - Im: making air force)

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24
Q

responsibility of the executive branch

A

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

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25
Q

2 most prominent officials in the executive branch

A

P and Vp

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26
Q

Qualifications to become president - vice president

A

P: natural born citizen, 35y.o, resident for 14 years
VP: the same

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27
Q

How long is the presidents term

A

4 years per 2 terms = 10 years

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28
Q

Cabinet positions and explain their duties

A

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:

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29
Q

Which house of Congress must approve presidential appointments? Which must approve treaties?

A

Senate for both

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30
Q

Who may call a special session of Congress

A

governor

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31
Q

What happens if the president is unable to serve because of illness

A

Vice President takes over

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32
Q

Electoral College (Explain)

A

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

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33
Q

Date that the president takes office

A

noon Jan 20th

34
Q

what are the 5 areas of presidential duties

A

Commander-of-Chief of the Armed forces / Chief Executive / Chief Diplomat / Legislative Leader / Head of State

35
Q

name the three highest federal courts

A

94-District Court, 13-Court of Appeals, 1-Supreme Court

36
Q

how many supreme judges are there

A

9

37
Q

How are federal judges selected?

A

Nominated by President and approved by Senate

38
Q

how long do federal judges serve?

A

life term

39
Q

what is judicial review and how does it affect the constitution (Marbury v. Madison)

A

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

40
Q

Title of the chief official of the supreme court

A

Chief Justice

41
Q

what are the 2 ways an amendment to the constitution can be proposed

A

2/3’s vote for both houses (or) majority of states (34/50)

42
Q

what are the two ways an amendment can be ratified

A

by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof

43
Q

what are the important checks and balances that have been built into our government

A

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

44
Q

define: (Ratify) (amend) (lobby) (treaty) (veto) (Compromise)

A

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

45
Q

difference between redistricting and reapportionment

A

RD: DRAWING electoral boundaries
RA: redistribution of seats in the US HOR based on population change

46
Q

Describe gerrymandering

A

the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries to advantage a party within the constituency

47
Q

Define census

A

counts every resident in the United States

48
Q

Know the role of party whips, majority/minority leaders of Congress

A

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

49
Q

Define subcommittees and special committees

A

Sub: smaller committees within larger committees in legislative processes
SC: created for specific and special purpose

50
Q

Define public vs foreign policy

A

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

51
Q

what are the functions of the federal bureaucracy

A

implementation, administration, and regulation
carry out new policies or regulations or laws

52
Q

differences between the federalists and democratic-republicans (where did they grow from) (which was first)

A

Federalists advocated a strong central government and held power from 1789-1801
emphasized local and humanitarian concerns and states’ rights

53
Q

what are the different types of the special-purpose districts

A

school - water - housing - health - airport - community college

54
Q

difference between Civic Duties and Civic Responsibility - list them

A

Civic duty: Taxes, Voting, Jury, Testifying, obeying the law - etc
Responsibility: participation in civil life - throwing away garbage - volunteering - etc

55
Q

What year did IL become a state

A

Dec 3 1818

56
Q

Name all past and present IL state capitals

A

Kaskaskia Vandalia and Springfield

57
Q

how many constitutions did IL have

A

4

58
Q

what year was the current IL constitution accepted

A

Dec 15 1970

59
Q

purposes of the 1970 IL constitution

A

updated voter rights, changed government powers (includes preamble and bill of rights) designation of legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

60
Q

what is the main body in the legislative branch

A

Congress

61
Q

two houses of the constitution

A

HOR and Senate

62
Q

qualifications for becoming a member of the legislature

A

US citizen, at least 21 years old, and must be a resident to his represented district 2 years prior to election or appointment

63
Q

how many members in the Senate? in the HOR?

A

50 - 435

64
Q

Officers of the Senate?

A

the Secretary of the Senate, Sergeant at Arms and Doorkeeper, chaplain, and majority and minority party secretaries

65
Q

Officers of the House?

A

Chaplain , the Chief Administrative Officer , the Clerk of the House , and the Sergeant at Arms

66
Q

How soon must a bill (passed by both houses) be sent to the governor

A

within 30 days

67
Q

What can the general assembly do after a veto by the governor

A

Override with a 2/3 vote

68
Q

who are the officers (by office) in the executive branch

A

Governor, Lt governor, attorney general, secretary of Treasury, comptroller, most state agencies, etc

69
Q

what are the duties of the governor

A

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

70
Q

how many counties are in IL

A

102

71
Q

duties of the IL supreme court

A

(Springfield) Highest court in IL face the most extreme cases and judge lawfully - this court has the final say

72
Q

How many Illinois supreme court justices serve

A

7 members - Chief of Justice and 6 justices

73
Q

what are the duties of appellate court

A

Review cases from circuit courts and see if the law was applied correctly

74
Q

how many appellate courts or judicial districts are there

A

5 appellate or judicial courts (Ottawa)

75
Q

what are the duties of the circuit court

A

(Courthouse downtown) see the average cases or trial courts

76
Q

which amendment gave 18 year-olds the right to vote

A

26th amendment

77
Q

Special purpose districts (examples)

A

Fire departments - water services - public school districts

78
Q

Who prepares and submits the state budget each year

A

the governor (JB Pritzker)

79
Q

who are the two IL senators

A

Richard J Durbin and Tammy Duckworth (both democrats)

80
Q

How many representatives does IL have in the HOR

A

118 - 2 year termss