exam sheet Flashcards
“All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives” - Article 1, Section 7, United States Constitution. The main reason the writers of the Constitution included this provision was to
give citizens more influence over taxation issues
“Congress Passes Alien and Sedition Acts’’ “Lincoln Suspends Habeas Corpus’’ “Wilson Signs 1918 Sedition Act”. These headlines show that the federal government can
restrict citizens’ rights in times of crisis
“Congress Passes Alien and Sedition Acts” “Lincoln Suspends Writ of Habeas Corpus” “Roosevelt Authorizes Internment of Japanese Americans on West Coast”. Which conclusion is best supported by these headlines?
Perceived threats to national security sometimes result in limits on civil liberties.
“President Wilson Represents the United States at Versailles” - “President Reagan Meets with Soviet President Gorbachev” - “President Carter Negotiates Camp David Accords” Each headline illustrates a time when the president of the United States acted as
chief diplomat
“Senate Rejects Supreme Court Nominee” “Supreme Court Declares National Recovery Act (NRA) Unconstitutional” “Congress Overrides Truman Veto of Taft-Hartley Act”. Each of these headlines illustrates the use of
checks and balances
There are two systems in the World nowadays: the Common Law and the (X) Law.
civil
When Christopher Columbus, the Genoese sailor sent by Isabella of Spain as a competitor of England to find a westward road to the Indies, found the islands of the Caribbean in 1492, he discovered the mainland and the Natives, called the (X) “Indians” as he supposed that the lands he had found were part of Asia.
Skraelings
If a man in Arizona is accused of killing his neighbour:
the State Courts have jurisdiction
Vermont and Maine are fighting over a piece of land:
the US Supreme Court has original jurisdiction
One mobile phone manufacturer files a money claim against a competitor for copying its product feature. On appeal :
the Federal Court of appeal (13th court) has jurisdiction
The state of Texas wishes to challenge the 2017 Congressional Environmental Protection Law. Which court has jurisdiction?
the US Supreme Court has jurisdiction
A man in Georgia is accused of smuggling drugs:
the State Courts have jurisdiction
An African-American complains of being discriminated against by his boss: STATE courts first (an individual matter), but could go before the (X) Court.
US Supreme
The US constitution may be invoked - (X) th Amendment against racial discrimination.
15
In the US, Civil procedure begins by a plaint or X.
complaint
Before a case can proceed, the court must determine whether the plaintiff has (X) o bring the suit.
a standing
Columbus’s discovery was followed by many attempts made by the Europeans — (X) kings, to explore and conquer new lands on the continent and the many voyages at sea (some of them may have been ended disastrously).
French, English or Spanish
In criminal cases, if the defendant is declared guilty by the jury, the next phase is (X).
sentencing hearing
Evidence can include testimony from witnesses and tangible items presented through witnesses. Every witness suffers Examination, Cross examination and (X).
Reexamination
After the defendant presents evidence, the parties
make (X) arguments.
closing
The number of jurors on a civil jury can be as few as five or as many as (X), depending on the court.
12
Sir Walter Raleigh, in 1585, decided to establish a colony to which he would later decide to give the name of (X) in honor of the Queen Elizabeth 1st (1558-1603).
Virginia
In most courts, including federal courts, the jury’s decision must be (X).
unanimous
When the verdict is delivered, the losing party may seek a (X) of the judgment.
reversal
Sometimes a party may appeal a court order or decision to a higher court during trial. Known as an (X) appeal.
interlocutory
The Marbury v. Madison (X) case established judicial review as the foundation of the constitutional system.
1803
The most important case of the XXth century is Brown v. Board of Education (1954),which (X) school segregation.
struckdown
The Mc Cullogh v. Maryland Case resolved the controversy between a strict construction or a broad construction of the “(X)” clause of the Constitution.
unnecessary and unproper
The “commerce clause” vests in the Congress “to regulate the commerce”. In the (X) v. Ogden case, the justice Marshall had a broad view of commerce, covering all economic intercourse.
Gibbons
The Granger Cases arose out of the abuse that accompanied the post Civil War growth of railroads, allowing the States to control the (X) of the transportation by train.
fares
During the early years of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the US SC invalidated most of the (X) legislation, on the ground that manufacturing, mining and agriculture regulated by them were not within the “federal commerce power”.
New Deal
The National Labor Relations Board v. Jones & Laughlin Case(1937) was an important (X) and gave more power to the federal President.
change
Images of Indians have served for many books, plays, see (X) by William Shakespeare written in 1611, said to have been inspired by many tales of sea travels and wrecks, and the modern film adaptations
The Tempest
In the case United states v. (X), the USSC decided that the President must obey to the rules binding all over officials.
Nixon
The Baker Case overruled previous decisions of the USSC and decided that Federal courts are competent to hear cases challenging legislative (X) as contrary to equal protection.
apportionments
In the Charles River bridge, it was held that where the rights of private property conflict with those of the community, the latter should be (X).
paramount
How many states did not have to draft new constitutions, since they already had republican governments as part of their colonial charters?
two
An important fact about the Americans who wrote the first state constitutions was that they (X).
demanded written documents.
Most new state constitutions after The American Revolution (X)
included a Declaration of Rights
Which of the following was NOT typical of the post-revolutionary state constitutions?
that they claimed the people at large as the basis of political authority
“The Virginian” was the handiwork of (X)
James Madison
The US flag is also called:
The Stars and Stripes
The flag and ensign Proportion 10:19 was adopted June 14, (X) (original 13-star version) .
1777
The American adventure really began in Jacobean times. : in the Spring of 1607, three small ships loaded with a hundred men all dreaming of the milk and honey the new land was to offer them, landed on the eastern coast and founded (X).
Jamestown
The Design of the US FLAG is made of (X) horizontal stripes alternating red and white
13
in the (Y), 50 white stars of alternating numbers of six and five per row on a blue field.
canton
The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 (X) of the USA.
states
The U.S. National Anthem is called the (X).
Stars spangled banner
The anthem was chosen in
1931
The music was written by British composer and early musicologist John Stafford (X) around 1773.
Smith
The lyrics come from ‘Defence of Fort Mc Henry’ a poem written by American (X) and amateur poet Francis Scott Key in 1814.
a lawyer
He was inspired to write it after he saw the American flag flying above Fort McHenry after US forces fought off an attack by British forces during the Battle of (X).
Baltimore
In the 19th century, ‘Hail, Columbia’ was used at official functions, alongside ‘My Country, ‘Tis of Thee’ – whose tune is the same as the UK national anthem, ‘God Save the (X)’
Queen
Over 6 months (as of January) takes place the choice of candidates who will attend the National (X) for each of the 2 main parties (Republicans and Democrats).
Convention
The second migration: In 1620, 13 years later, it was the turn of the famous (X) coming straight from Plymouth to land much further to the north in Massachusetts exactly on the 21st November 1620
Mayflower
The most popular way to choose delegates is the (X) Elections (held in half of the states). Hence do the citizens express their preferences. Voters may choose the candidates for the Presidency.
Primary
The other delegates are chosen in closed party meetings called (X) which attract less national attention.
Caucus
In July and August before the election, (X) meet to select their nominees.
delegates
It is in a fair-like atmosphere that they finally “nominate their choice” as to the candidates for a ‘(X)’: President and Vice President.
ticket
The citizens who are eligible to vote are the registered citizens over (X) .
18
In order to vote, you may go to the polls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday of (Y).
November
This is not a direct vote from the elector to the candidate, but an indirect suffrage via Electors from the Electoral College, which was established by the Constitution. The number of electoral votes depends on the (X) - New York: 33; California, 55.
population
The candidate who receives a majority of the popular vote in a state, no matter how small, wins all the electoral votes of that state according to the ‘(X) take-all’ system.
winner
Each state has a number of (X) or “electoral votes” equivalent to the number of its members of both houses of Congress combined (number of Congressional districts + 2 senators)
electors
These are to be chosen through a process determined by state legislatures. Any state legislature could be entitled simply to choose them without any elections, but today every state chooses by (X)
popular vote
Hence the still very much celebrated Thanksgiving Day on the 4th Thursday of November with the traditional dish of the (X) as a sign of abundance).
turkey
The voters in each state (X) their ballots for the candidate chosen, and the winner receives the totality of that state’s electoral votes (except for Maine and Nebraska which distribute their votes proportionally).
casts
What is the State Capital of Washington?
Olympia
What is the State Capital of California?
Sacramento
What is the State Capital of Nevada?
Carson City
What is the common term for a Union soldier?
Yankee
What is the State Capital of IDAHO?
Boise
What is the State Capital of Montana?
Helena
The two minutes speech by President Lincoln at a ceremony dedicating the Battlefield as a National Cemetery is called
Gettysburg address
The eleven states that seceded from the United States to form their own country are called:
Confederacy
What is the State Capital of MAINE?
Augusta
What is the State Capital of WYOMING?
Cheyenne
The declaration issued by President Lincoln freeing all slaves is called:
Emancipation Proclamation
The legislative assembly composed of delegates from the rebel colonies who met during and after the American Revolution is called…
The continental congress
What is the State Capital of UTAH?
Salt Lake City
What is the State Capital of COLORADO?
Denver
The passengers, who numbered 102, were Calvinists who had lived in Holland rather than submit to English Anglicanism, called The (X), and who had come here to flee from English persecutions and set a separate church of their own.
Pilgrim Fathers
The Tax that the British government placed on newspapers, books and documents sold in the colonies is called..
the Stamp Act
The name of the Colonists who could be ready in a minute to fight the British are called
the Sons of Liberty
What is the State Capital of North Dakota?
Bismarck
What is the State Capital of South Dakota ?
Pierre
What is the State Capital of ALASKA?
Juneau
The killing of five men by British soldiers on March 5, 1770 is called….
The Boston Massacre
The Provisional peace treaty signed after Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown is called
the treaty of Paris
The Boston citizens disguised as Indians raided three British ships and dumped chests of tea into the harbour as a protest against taxes on tea are called
the patriots
The Civilian soldiers who are trained to fight but not part of the regular army are named The
militias
The Colonists who remained loyal to the King during the American Revolution are called
the loyalists
The ….. amendment states “All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and the state wherein they reside.”
first
The migrants, whether they be adventurers or persecuted Puritans, meant to take their destiny into their own hands. Then began the long colonial period under King of Britain, which would last (X) and a half
one century
Which of the following is not a freedom guaranteed by the first amendment?
the freedom from taxes
Which of the following is NOT a purpose of the U.S. government?
to ensure wealth
What fundamental political principle means people are the source of any and all government power?
Consent of the Governed
What fundamental political principle means the government and those who govern are bound by the law?
rule of law
What does the beginning of the Preamble to the Constitution of the United States of America establish?
That the power of government comes from the people
What First Amendment freedom guarantees that the media has the right to gather and publish information, including that which criticizes the government?
freedom of the press
What First Amendment freedom guarantees that individuals may peacefully gather?
freedom of petition
One century earlier, in 1524, the French under François 1er, had sent an Italian, Giovanni Verrazano, to explore the Atlantic coast of North America, which led to the discovery of Manhattan Island and the harbor of the (X) River.
Hudson
Which early document stated grievances against the king of Great Britain?
Magna Carta
The Declaration of Independence established the idea that
A country should decide what rights its citizens want
The Declaration of Independence affirmed that all men had certain..
unalienable rights
Which early document maintained that major powers resided with individual states?
the Articles of Confederation
Which of the following BEST describes the amendment process?
propose and then ratify
The Constitution has been amended ____ times
27
Who must ratify an amendment to the U.S. Constitution?
3/4 of the States
New York, called at first New (X), was settled in 1624, when Dutch fur-traders bought the Manhattan Island from the Indians for 60 guilders (about 20 dollars).
Amsterdam
Maryland was so named in honor of Charles I’s French wife, and founded in 1634 by a Catholic nobleman, Lord (X).
Baltimore
In 1635, emigrants from (X) searching for better land had to move to Connecticut, which was the first colony to adopt a constitution. Roger Williams, banned from (X) for his free thought regarding the
relation of Church and State, fled to Rhode Island, where he founded the city of (Y) in 1636. The Swedes sent colonists to (Z) in 1638, then it was the turn of New Jersey.
Massachusetts/Providence/Delaware
The (X) William Penn founded Philadelphia on what was to become the new territory of Pennsylvania.
Quaker
The colonies, operating under a separate Royal (X), with a separate court system and governing institutions, “then developed distinct local practices”.
Charter
President Lincoln wrote which 2 documents?
Gettysburg Address/Emancipation Proclamation
Who was the President of the Confederacy?
Jefferson Davis
Why did Robert E. Lee decide not to fight for the Union.?
He would not fight against his own state
The Battle of Lexington/Concord was the…
first battle of the Revolutionary War
Who was the first person to sign the U.S. Declaration of Independence?
John Bancroft
In which year did the United States issue the Declaration of Independence?
1776
The English power did not pay much attention to its colonies and saw this organization not so much as a (X) but as a part of a unified empire.
federation
Which British general was defeated by American forces in the Saratoga campaign of 1777?
John Burgoyne
Who was the commander of the first French fleet sent to support the American colonists during the American Revolution?
Jean-Baptiste-Charles-Henri-Hector comte d’Estaing
The original colonies did not need an elaborate system, because there were practically no (X).
lawyers
When in the 18th century, the famous book by the leading Oxford jurist William (X) Commentaries on the Laws of England (printed in Philadelphia in 1771-1772) became a best-seller in America (1,500 copies were sold, and as many in England), English law came to be considered more.
Blackstone
The early colonies refused the classical separation in the legal profession between (X).
barristers and solicitors
There is no federal or ‘national’ lawyers even today, but rather local ones, one speaks of New York lawyers, Massachusetts or Connecticut lawyers. They would then gain more and more in importance: 25 of the 56 (X) of the Declaration of Independence were lawyers.
signatories
The constitutional crisis began towards the end of the (X) War between England and France (1756-63). As the war had been very costly, Parliament decided to _raise _a revenue, and increase taxation on the colonies. This triggered off the crisis leading to the Revolution.
Seven Years’
