Civics Flashcards
Current President
Barack Obama
Current Vice President
Joe Biden
Current Speaker of the House
John Boenher
Define civics.
The study of the rights and duties of being a Citizen.
Where did the concept of Citizenship originate?
Rome and Greece
What are the 4 functions of government?
- ) Governments keep order and provide security.
- )Governments provide services.
- )Governments guide the community.
- )Governments create a budge.
What are the different levels of Government in the US?
National
State
Local
What type of government do we have in the US?
Representative Democracy
How can you become a citizen?
- Born on US soil
- At least one of your parents is a citizen and has lived in the US
- If you are born abroad to American parents
- Children born in US soil to non-US parents.
Define aliens.
Someone LEGALLY living in the U.S. but does not have citizenry. (TEMPORARY)
Define immigrants.
People who permanently move to a new country.
List the steps in the naturalization process.
- ) File a “Declaration of Intent” with Immigration Services.
- ) Take class on citizenship and English.
- ) Take an examination.
- ) If you pass, go through a ceremony and pledge the other of allegiance to the U.S.
Define duty.
Something you must do.
Define responsibilities.
Something you should do.
List duties of a U.S. citizen.
Obey the law Defend the nation Serve in a jury of a witness Pay your taxes Attend school
List responsibilities of a US citizen.
Contribute to the common good of society
Respect other’s rights and difference.
Vote
Define naturalized.
Made a citizen by law, not birth.
Define jurisdiction.
Place where legal authority is exercised.
Define right.
Something a person can claim from the government.
Define privilege.
Something the government grants as part of being a citizen.
Around how many immigrants can enter the U.S. yearly?
About 1 million.
About how many immigrants live in the US illegally?
12-15million.
How often is the US Census required by the Constitution?
Every 10 years.
What does the US Census do?
Counts every resident in the US.
What does the census help to determine?
The number of seats each state gets in the House of Representatives.
True or False: the census is required by law.
True.
Why did immigration increase in the US?
- ) Hope for better opportunities.
- ) Religious freedom.
- ) Escape from oppressive governments.
Because of immigration, America has a berry diverse _______.
population
Most of the ideas we have about government comes from ________.
England
What two things happened that pushed Americans to declare independence?
- King George took the throne (mercantilism)
- French and Indian War
Define Mercantilism
The idea that countries should sell more goods to other countries than it buys. (adopted by King George)
What happened at the 1st Continental Congress?
55 delegates from 12 colones met in Philadelphia to discuss harsh taxes and to beg the King for relief.
What happened in the 2nd Continental Congress meeting?
The delegates came to discuss creating a military to fight Britain and wrote the Declaration of Independence.
What 5 people wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson Ben Franklin John Adams Roger Sherman Robert Livingston
What are the two main topics of the Declaration of Independence?
- ) Rights that all men should have.
2. ) Complaints against the king.
What did the Articles of Confederation do?
- Established the 13 colonies as the “United States of America”
- Established that America was free and independent of domination from another country.
True or False: The Articles of Confederation set up a unicameral legislative body.
True
True or False: According to the Articles of Confederation, each state had 2 votes.
False; 1 vote
True or False: the Articles of Confederation did not set up an Executive branch
True
What problem did the Articles of Confederation have?
It gave states too much power.
What did John Locke come up with?
The idea that every human being is entitled to unalienable rights.
What did Montesquieu come up with?
Checks and Balances
Amendment 1
The freedom of speech, press, assembly, petition, and religion.
Amendment 2
The right to bear arms.
Amendment 3
Quartering of soldiers is not allowed unless it is during times of war.
Amendment 4
No unreasonable search or seizures.
Amendment 5
- You don’t have to testify against yourself.
- No double jeopardy
- Private property cannot be taken without compensation.
Amendment 6
- The right to a speedy, public trial.
- The right to a lawyer.
- Right to know accusations against them.
Amendment 7
Civil Cases
-The right to a jury trial in cases where property or money involved is over $20.
Amendment 8
No excessive bail
No cruel or unusual punishments
Amendment 9
Rights not mentioned in constitution belong to the people
Amendment 10
Rights not given to the Federal Government belong to the states.
What are people against the Constitution called?
Anti-federalists
What are people who approve the constitution called?
Federalists
How does the government guard against tyranny?
The 5 principles
What are the 5 principles?
Popular sovereignty Checks and balancesRule of lawFederalismSeparation of power
True or false: The Constitution may change over time , but the principles and structure will remain the same.
TRUE
What is popular sovereignty?
The concept that supreme power belongs to the people. (Expressed in Declaration of Independence and Constitution)
How can the people express popular sovereignty?
Voting
What is rule of law?
The concept that law applies to everyone, even the government.
What is separation of powers?
The concept that main powers in the government should be divided clearly into branches.
How is separation of power expressed in the US?
The legislative branch, executive branch, judicial branch.
What is “checks and balances”?
The concept that each branch has the ability to restrain or “check” the power of other branches.
What is the purpose of “check and balances”?
To prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.
What is federalism?
The concept that power should be shared between federal and state governments.
True or false: The federal government is above state government in power and decision making.
False; federal and state government have equal power in power and decision making.
What are power given to the federal government?
Enumerated, expressed, or delegated.
What are powers given to state governments?
Reserved powers.
What are shared powers between state and federal government?
Concurrent powers
What is he preamble of the constitution?
The goals for government
What are the articles of the constitution?
The plan for government.
What are the amendments of the constitution?
Changes to the constitution
True of false: The preamble tells why the Constitution was written.
TRUE
What are the 6 goals in the preamble?
1.) to form a more perfect union. 2.) to establish justice3.) to insure domestic tranquility 4.) to provide for the common defense5.) to promote general welfare6.) to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity.
How many articles are in the Constitution?
7
What is article 1 about?
The legislative branch. -set up -terms -powers
What is article 2 about?
The executive branch-election and removal-powers
What is the article 3 about?
The judicial branch-one Supreme Court-powers
What are some powers that congress has?
Tax, coin money, regulate trade, declare war
What are some powers that the President have?
Deal with foreign nations, appoint government officials, command armed forces.
What is article 4?
All states must respect the laws of other states and the national government will vow to protect its 50 states.
What is article 5?
The amendment process
What is article 6?
The constitution is the supreme law of the land. If state law conflicts with federal law, federal law prevails.
What is article 7?
The constitution will take affect once 9/13 colonies ratified it.
What are the first ten amendments in the constitution?
The bill of rights.
What are the steps of the amendment process?
1.) proposing the amendment-in congress-needs 2/3rd majority vote (in both houses)2.) ratifying it -passed congress-3/4th states approve
What is the amendment process an example of?
Federalism
Amendment 11?
If suing a person from another state, it is handled in state courts.
Amendment 12?
President and Vice President are elected together from one party. (No conflicting parties in office)
Amendment 13?
Ended slavery in US
Amendment 14?
All former slaves have full citizenship and all citizens have same rights and privileges (except women)
Amendment 15?
All men can vote.
Amendment 16?
Congress can tax income. (What you get paid)
Amendment 17?
Senators are elected by people now.
Amendment 18?
Prohibition of alcohol. -banned selling, making, and transportation of
Amendment 19?
Women can vote!
Amendment 20?
Presidential inauguration on January 20th instead of March.
What amendment is known as the Lame Duck Amendment?
20th amendment
Amendment 21?
Repealed prohibition
Amendment 22?
Limited presidential term to 2 terms or 10 years.
Amendment 23?
Gives citizens of DC the right to vote. (3 electoral votes)
Amendment 24?
Banned a poll tax. (No cost to vote)
Amendment 25?
If a president falls ill and cannot serve, the VP takes over. In case of both unable to be president, speaker of house takes over. (Presidential succession)
Amendment 26?
Lowered voting age from 21 to 18
Amendment 27?
If congress raises their pay, it does not go into affect until the next election.
