Final Study Guide Review Flashcards

1
Q

What are the first 10 Amendments to the Constitution called? What is their purpose?

A

Bill of Rights; protects the rights of the people

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2
Q

What does the President of the Senate do?

A

The Vice President of the United States casts the deciding vote in case of a tie

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3
Q

What does the Senate Pro Tempore do?

A

The most senior member of the Senate that is 4th in line to the presidency

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4
Q

What does the House Minority Leader do?

A

The leader chosen by the members of the minority party to schedule proposed legislation

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5
Q

What does the House Majority Leader do?

A

Presents the official position of the majority party regarding proposed legislation. Second in rank to the speaker of the House

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6
Q

What does the Whip do?

A

The leader in Congress who rounds up fellow legislators on important bills

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7
Q

What does the Senate Majoirty Leader do and who holds this position?

A

The leader chosen by the senators in the majority party to schedule legislation (Mitch McConnell)

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8
Q

What does the Senate Minority Leader do and who holds this position?

A

The leader chosen by the senators in the minority party to schedule legislation (Chuck Schumer)

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9
Q

How long is the term of a senator?

A

6 years

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10
Q

How long is the term of representative in the House of Representatives?

A

2 years

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11
Q

What does it mean to “crack” a congressional district?

A

Spreading out voters of a single type among numerous districts such that they will always be in the minority within any given district

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12
Q

What does it mean to “pack” a congressional district?

A

Putting as many voters of a single type into one district in order to minimize their influence in other districts

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13
Q

What is redistricting?

A

The process of drawing electoral district boundaries in the United States based on changes in population

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14
Q

What is gerrymandering?

A

Redistricting that favors one party over another

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15
Q

What are Select Committees?

A

Temporary committees for specific purposes (ex: investigation, intelligence)

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16
Q

What are Standing Committees?

A

Committees to which proposed bills are referred and that continue from one Congress to the next

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17
Q

What are Joint Committees?

A

Committees that are comprised of members from both the House and the Senate

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18
Q

How are members assigned to committees?

A

Reelection incentives, their interests, their own interests or expertise

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19
Q

List the duties of citizenship:

A

Obey the law, pay taxes, register for the draft, jury duty, attend school

20
Q

List the responsibilities of citizenship:

A

Be informed, vote, respect others rights, respect diversity, contribute to the common good

21
Q

Who must sign up for the Selective Service?

A

All males, within a month of their 18th birthday

22
Q

What is the mission of the Peace Corps?

A

Sends Americans to international destinations to educate farmers, help and teach children and vaccinate against diseases

23
Q

What is the mission of Americorps?

A

Sends Americans to domestic destinations to help with disaster relief and fighting poverty

24
Q

Why do young people choose not to vote?

A

They aren’t educated enough about it. They feel that their vote doesn’t count

25
Q

What are the two major political parties in the United States?

A

Democrat and Republican

26
Q

What is the difference between a PAC and a Super PAC?

A

A Super PAC type of independent committee which may raise unlimited sums of money from corporations, union, and individuals but is NOT permitted to contribute to or coordinate directly with parties or candidates.A PAC is limited in the amount of money it can raise but is allowed to contribute directly to campaigns.

27
Q

Where do candidates get most of their campaign money from?

A

Wealthy individuals

28
Q

What are the top 3 things that candidates spend their money on?

A

Media, Fundraising, Salaries

29
Q

Explain the significance of the Citizens United v. FEC decision.

A

Led to the creation of Super PACs, special interest groups that are issues based. These groups can raise unlimited amounts of money, without disclosing their donors.

30
Q

How many total votes are there in the Electoral College?

A

538

31
Q

How many electoral votes does a candidate need to win the Electoral College?

A

270

32
Q

What is a faithless elector?

A

Electors who vote against the will of the people in the state election

33
Q

What states split their electoral college votes instead of using a winner take all system?

A

Maine and Nebraska

34
Q

What does the 15th Amendment do?

A

Prohibits voting discrimination based on race

35
Q

What does the 17th Amendment do

A

Direct election of senators

36
Q

What does the 19th Amendment do

A

Prohibits voting discrimination based on gender

37
Q

What does the 26th Amendment do

A

Lowered voting age to 18

38
Q

What are some examples of speech that is not protected by the First Amendment?

A

Libel, slander, obscenity, child pornography

39
Q

Define civil rights and give an example.

A

The basic right to be free from unequal treatment based on certain protected characteristics (Race, gender, disability, etc.) in settings such as employment and housing

40
Q

Define civil liberties and give an example.

A

Basic right and freedoms that are guaranteed–either explicitly identified in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution, or interpreted through the years by courts and lawmakers. Protection against government actions

41
Q

Initially, the Bill of Rights only limited the actions of the ____ governemnt (local, state, or national).

A

National

42
Q

Morse v. Frederick

A

Schools can limit student speech if it promotes illegal drug use

43
Q

Tinker v. Des Moines

A

Students have the right to free speech as long as it does not disrupt the educational process

44
Q

Bethel School District v. Fraser

A

Schools can limit freedom of speech if it goes against fundamental values

45
Q

Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier

A

School district can censor a school newspaper