Final Flashcards
What % of cases are heard by the Supreme Court?
1%
How many terms can a Senator serve?
They can serve as long as they keep getting reelected
Federalism
The division and sharing of power between the national and state governments
How is a Supreme Justice chosen?
Appointed by the president, and approved by the Senate
What is the Declaration of Independence?
Created in 1776, declared Independence for America from Britain
What do Republicans support?
- Smaller government involvement
- Reduced government aid (they want to pay for healthcare themselves) and lower taxes
How long is a Senator’s term?
Six years
What is a trial court also called at the federal level?
District court
What does the court of appeals (apellate court) do?
Reviews trial court decision
What are the qualifications to become president/vice president?
- Natural born citizen
- Must have lived in the US for at least 14 years
- Must be at least 35
How many people are in the Cabinet?
16, including the Vice President
How does a Cabinet member get appointed?
The President appoints the Senate and the Senate must be approved by majority vote
What is capitalism?
People can have their own businesses and properties but they must pay for services like healthcare
When do electors vote?
December
Order of Presidential Succession?
- Vice President
- Speaker of the House
- President Pro Tempore
- Secretary of State
- Cabinet Members → This order is based on when the department was created (chronological order)
Who is the current Vice President and what is their political position?
Kamila Harris, Democratic
What does the Supreme Court do?
Reviews appeal courts decision
What is Impeachment?
A process of bringing charges against a government official that may lead to their removal from office
What does state of nature mean?
A belief by Hobbes and Locke that if government did not exist, society would be uncivilized
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 Amendments of the Constitution
What can a President do with a bill?
- Sign it
- Veto it
- Ignore it
Are Democrats liberal or conservative?
Liberal
Which party has control of the Senate?
Democrats
What do Democrats support?
- Larger government involvement
- More government aid and the richer should be taxed more
How many terms can a governor serve?
2
Which party has control of HoR?
Republicans
What are the qualifications to become a Supreme Court Justice?
There are none
What are America’s 2 parties?
Democratic and Republic
10th Amendment
Any powers not given to the United States belong to the states and their people
What does the trial court do?
Review cases and decide with evidence
What is Congress’s main job?
Lawmaking
Who is the current President and what is their political position?
Joe Biden, Democratic
How long can a Supreme Justice serve?
For life, but they cannot serve if they are impeached or retired
Checks and balances
Each branch can limit actions or “check” the other branches
What is the Constitution?
Created in 1787, helped form America’s government
How many terms can a Representative serve?
They can serve as long as they keep getting reelected
What is Judicial Review?
Power of courts to determine if laws or acts of the legislative or executive branch are constitutional
How many people are in the Senate?
100
Who is in charge of the Senate?
Vice president, and then President Pro Tempore
What is an Amendment?
A change to a legal document such as the Constitution
Similarities between the CT gov and federal government
They both have:
- trial courts
- appellate courts
- supreme courts
- can hear civil & criminal cases
What is an anarchy?
State of disorder due to abscence or non-recognition of authority
How is the number of represenatives in the Senate determined?
2 per state
How many terms can a president serve?
2
How are cases chosen to be heard by the Supreme Court?
Justices vote and if there is at least a 4/9 vote, it will be heard
Who actually votes for the president?
Electors; who vote for their state
What is a dictatorship?
A leader who has not been elected but uses a force to keep control
In a military dictatorship, the army is in control
Are Republicans liberal or conservative?
Conservative
Who is in charge of the House of Representatives?
Speaker of the House
Who is the current Governor of Connecticut and what is their political position?
Ned Lamont, Democratic
What is Capitalism?
People can own their own businesses but must buy services, such as healthcare
How many Supreme Justices are there?
9
Differences between the CT gov and federal government
- State courts can only hear cases related to state law; not federal laws
- CT Supreme Court has 7 justices, but the national Supreme Court has 9 justices
How long is a Representative’s term?
2 year
How many amendments are in the Bill of Rights?
10
How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win presidency?
270/538
Who is the current Speaker of the House and what is their political position?
Mike Johnson, Republican
What is a democracy?
The government is elected by people who are eligible to vote
1st Amendment
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
4th Amendment
Protection from searches without warrant
How long is a president’s term?
Four years
How is the number of representatives in HoR determined?
State population
How does a bill become a law?
Bill is introduced to House or Senate, debated and then voted on. If a majority vote approves, it will go to the other chamber and if it is approved there as well, it will go to the President
Who was the Constitutional Convention and what was the purpose of it?
A group of people that wanted to create a stronger central government under a new constitution
2nd Amendment
Right to bear arms
5th Amendment
Right to due process, protection against self-incrimation and double jeopardy
How many electors are there?
538
