Competency 24: Government & Citizenship

Question 1

Bill of Rights

Answer 1

Ratified on December 15, 1791.
Set of ten amendments to US constitution that outline the rights of US citizens. Ex) Freedom of religion, assembly, keep & bear arms, freedom of speech, of the press, protection from those accused of crimes.

Question 2

Articles of Confederation

Answer 2

The first constitution of the 13 American states, adopted in 1781 and later replaced in 1789 by Constitution.

Question 3

Declaration of Independence

Answer 3

Written by Thomas Jefferson & issued to England on July 4, 1776.
States 13 colonies declared they were free & not subject to government of GB
Provides list of grievances against England.
Outlines basic human rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness

Question 4

US Constitution

Answer 4

Defines gov. of US.
Splits gov. into 3 branches
Nations highest law
ratified 7/21/1788
Replaced articles of confederation
Provided for strong central gov along with state gov
Has 3 parts (preamble, main body & amendments)

Question 5

Texas Declaration of Independence

Answer 5

Issued to Mexico on March 2, 1836.

Question 6

Texas has been governed by how many constitutions?

Answer 6

8:
1st in 1824 (republic of mexico
last in 1876 (current)

Question 7

Free Enterprise System

Answer 7

Economic system in which people own and run their own businesses.

Question 8

Scarcity

Answer 8

How to satisfy unlimited wants with limited resources

Question 9

Capital Goods

Answer 9

Items used in creation of other goods (factory machinery, trucks)

Question 10

Durable Goods

Answer 10

Any good that lasts more than 3 years when used on a regular basis.

Question 11

Non-Durable Goods

Answer 11

Any item that lasts less than 3 years when used on regular basis.

Question 12

Capital

Answer 12

physical assets (machinery, equipments, buildings, inventories, etc)

Question 13

Factors of Production/resources

Answer 13

Elements a nation has at its disposal to deal with issue of scarcity:
land-natural resources, etc.
capital-investment monies
labor-work force, size, education, quality work ethic
Entrepreneurs- inventive

Question 14

Inflation

Answer 14

General increase in prices across economy over period of time.

Question 15

Opportunity Cost

Answer 15

Cost of an economic decision

Question 16

Profit

Answer 16

Difference between total revenue earned by company & total cost incurred in producing product.

Question 17

Three basic economic questions

Answer 17

1) What to produce?
2) How to produce?
3) For whom to produce?

Question 18

Dictatorship

Answer 18

Characterized by single ruler with total control. Monarchs are also. Ex) Roman Empire, Latin American Caudillos. Stalin, Hitler.

Question 19

Oligarchy

Answer 19

Small group of people who have the combined power of a dictator.

Question 20

Direct Democracy

Answer 20

Government in which all citizens have equal power in decision making.
Ex) Switzerland, Ancient Athens

Question 21

Rrepresentative Democracy

Answer 21

Citizens elect representatives who hold the decision-making power. All modern Western-style democracies are. Ex) UK, US, Germany,

Question 22

Constitutional Government

Answer 22

When a government is operating within an agreed set of legal constraints which established the fundamental rules and principles by which an organization is governed.

Question 23

Totalitarian Government

Answer 23

A government in which the state involves itself in all facets of society & seeks to control everything. The citizen’s duty is to the state.

Question 24

Two ways to change the constitution:

Answer 24

1) Congressional Amendment: begins in Congress as proposal, requires 2/3 vote in each house.
2) National Convention: the legislature of 2/3 states ask Congress to call national convention to discuss and draft amendment.

Question 25

Plessy v. Ferguson

Answer 25

(1896) Upheld constitutionality of state laws regarding racial segregation in public facilities under doctrine separate but equal.
In 1890, Louisiana passed a law required separate accommodations for blacks & whites on railroads. Plessy boarded whites-only car and refused to leave.

Question 26

Korematsu v. United States

Answer 26

(1944) Exclusion order leading to Japanese American internment was constitutional.

Question 27

Brown v. Board of Education

Answer 27

(1954) Supreme court declared state laws establishing separate but equal schools for black and white students was unconstitutional. Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson.

Question 28

Miranda v. Arizona

Answer 28

(1966)

Made Miranda rights

Question 29

Roe v. Wade

Answer 29

(1973)

Right to privacy under Due Process Clause of 14th amendment extended to women’s decision to have abortion.

Question 30

Texas v. Johnson

Answer 30

(1989) Invalidated prohibitions on desecrating the American flag. Johnson’s act of flag burning was protected speech under 1st amendment.