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American Government > govt. unit 1 > Flashcards

govt. unit 1 Flashcards

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1
Q

🌟Comparing democracy and dictatorshipThose who rule are responsible to…

A

Democracy- the peopleDictatorship- how they see fit

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2
Q

🌟Comparing democracy and dictatorshipPower is gained by…

A

Democracy- people elect representatives to carry out their willDictatorship- autocracy, military force oligarchy, birthright or religious power

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3
Q

🌟Define democracy, give 2 examples

A

A form of government in which supreme authority rest with the people. Either direct, individuals vote on laws. Or indirect, people elect representatives vote on laws.Examples - United States, India

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4
Q

🌟Define Dictatorship, give 2 examples

A

A form of government where in which the leader has absolute power and authority.Examples- Nazi Germany, People’s Republic of China

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5
Q

🌟Where is the power the power held? 2 examplesUnitary government

A

All power held by a central government. In theory, the central government could completely disband all local governments if it wanted to.Examples- Great Britain, most world governments

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6
Q

🌟Where is the power the power held? 2 examplesFederal government

A

Powers are divided between a central government and local governments. A superior authority (like our constitution) divides the powers on a geographic basis.Examples- United States, India, Canada, many others

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7
Q

🌟Where is the power the power held? 2 examplesConfederation or confederate government

A

Power is held by individual states or countries. The confederation has very limited powers that its members assign to it. Confederations are often formed so that its members agree to trade rules or defend each other.Examples- EU the European Union, early United States (1781-1789) under the Articles of Confederation

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8
Q

🌟What is the relationship between legislative and executive branches of government? Give 2 examples.Presidential?

A

Executive (the President) and legislative (Congress) are separate, independent of each other and coequal. Each has powers that can block the other. Both are elected by the people.Examples, United States, France

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9
Q

🌟What is the relationship between legislative and executive branches of government? Give 2 examples.Parliamentary

A

The prime minister or premier is chosen by the parliament’s ruling party. The prime minister chooses their cabinet from parliament members. The prime minister gets their power from the parliament. If their party is voted out, they’re out too. No checks and balances.Examples- Great Britain, Israel, most of the world

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10
Q

What prevents Illinois from being a state?

A

A state is 4 things: 1- a population of people, 2- a territory, 3- a government, and 4) sovereign (doesn’t report to a higher power) Illinois reports to the U. S. federal government and therefore isn’t sovereign.

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11
Q

What is the purpose of government?

A

To enforce public policies.To help people and to control their behavior in an organized manner.This is done through legislative power (laws), executive power (enforce) and judicial power (interpret the law).

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12
Q

🌟How does a unitary government differ from a confederate government?

A

A unitary government is like drawing a big, STRONG Central power circle that can dissolve the itty-bitty dot of local (state) government inside it.A confederate government is like a WEAK itty-bitty dot of Central power that is controlled by a big circle of of states around it.

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13
Q

🌟Why is compromise an essential part of the democratic process?

A

No large group will ever have complete agreement. Compromise helps ensure Majority agreement. But, the MINORITY still have a voice.

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14
Q

🌟What is the name of a government that uses one person or one party rule?

A

Dictatorship

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15
Q

🌟What is the difference between a presidential and parliamentary style of government?

A

Presidential- executive and legislative branch are elected by the people separately. One can block the other. They are independent and coequal.Parliamentary- executive is chosen by the legislative branch and is in fact the leader of it. They are tied together.

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16
Q

What is Force Theory?

A

The state was born of force. All 4 parts of a state.Conquerors held a territory, with a population, had sovereign power and acted as the government.

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17
Q

What is the Evolutionary Theory?

A

The state developed out of the early family. One family grew into a clan which became a tribe which became a council. When the people stopped being nomads and became farmers in a set territory, the state was born.Population, government, territory sovereignty

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18
Q

What is the Divine Right Theory?

A

Belief that God created the state and had given those of royal birth, divine right to rule.Popular in 15th to 18th century Europe, but also believed at different time throughout the world.

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19
Q

🌟What is the Social Contract Theory?

A

The people possess the sovereign power. The government exists to serve the will of the people and can only do what the people gave it power to do. If people are unsatisfied it is replaced.THIS IS THE BIG ONE!

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20
Q

🌟Comparing democracy and dictatorshipWho holds sovereign power

A

Democracy- the peopleDictatorship- a single person or group Autocracy or Oligarchy

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21
Q

🌟What are the 5 concepts of Democracy?

A
  1. Equality 2. Individual worth3. Individual freedom 4. Necessity of compromise 5. Majority rule
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22
Q

Ordered Government

A

A government created by the people when they seek order

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23
Q

Limited Government

A

The government can only do what the people have given it the power to do.The people have certain rights the Government CAN NOT take away.

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24
Q

What is Representative Government?

A

System of government, in which public policies are made by officials selected by voters and held accountable in elections.

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25
Q

What body was the first national government of the US?What were their responsibilities to the power they held?

A

The New England ConfederationIt was created to defend people against the native Americans

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26
Q

Who was the declarations main author???

A

Thomas Jerferson

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27
Q

What are Unalienable rights?

A

Rights that can’t be questioned, and must be given

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28
Q

What was the name of the first government after the revolutionary war, what were some of its weaknesses?

A

The articles of Confederation-Had no power to tax-No power to regulate trade between states-Absolutely no power to enforce law

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29
Q

🌟Who were the Framers?What traits did they have in common?(list 2 individuals)

A

55 delegates who attended the Philadelphia meeting (Constitutional convention) Some of the most brilliant men in the country, were there to make THE perfect Gov.(George Washington, Thomas Jefferson?)

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30
Q

What was George Washington’s role at the Philadelphia convention?

A

He was the leader, or ‘President’ of it.

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31
Q

What momentous decision did the Framers make?

A

To make a whole new Government At the Constitutional Convention, Philadelphia 1787

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32
Q

🌟What was the Virginia plan at the Philadelphia convention?

A

-Legislative, executive, and legislative branches-Congress should be given all of the powers it held under the articles plus new, stronger ones.- wanted bicameral congress based on population and money

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33
Q

🌟What was the New Jersey Plans idea at the Constitutional Convention?

A

-Confederation powers and a little more for trade/taxes-more than a single federal executive- unicameral congress based on equal state votes

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34
Q

🌟Why did the executives of the smaller states object to the Virginia plan?

A

They found it was way too radical, because they wanted in equal say in important matters.Population representation in congress wouldn’t give small states much power.

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35
Q

🌟What was agreed upon at the Connecticut compromise? (Great Compromise)

A

Congress should be made up of two separate houses. In the senate the states would be represented equally with 2 senators. In the house, each state would be represented based on population. This combined the Virginia and New Jersey plans.

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36
Q

What is the three fifths compromise?

A

Slaves would be counted as only 3/5 of a person.

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37
Q

Why do you think we refer to the Constitution as a “Bundle of Compromises”?

A

With 55 people in one room, theres bound to be arguments over what their government should be. The outcome in the end, was just one big compromise we all came up with.

38
Q

Ratification of the Constitution

A

To fully except and approve the constitution (9 states did this)

39
Q

🌟Who were the Federalists?What was their view of the constitution?

A

They were people who believed in it

40
Q

🌟Who were the anti Federalists? What were the 2 main features to draw their fire?

A

They were people against the Constitution, and they didn’t like the increase of central power nor the lack of the bill of rights

41
Q

🌟Why did Virginia agree to Ratify the Constitution?

A

George Washington’s influence made the people want to

42
Q

🌟Why did New York Ratify?

A

They only did it after fighting about it for a long time. Whether it was the essays that swayed them or any other reason, they did in the end agree to the constitution.

43
Q

Why might the failure of Virginia and New York Ratifying have doomed the constitution?

A

To many people disagreeing with it could have led to America never forming because if Virginia and New York nor agreeing might have encouraged others not to.

44
Q

The articles of confederation

A

Can only request state tax, had no system of federal court, no way to regulate trade, no executive power (president of US merely presided over congress), 13/13 needed to amend articles, each state=1 vote, congress=no drafting, no control of disputes, power resides in states, 9/13 needed to approve legislation

45
Q

Constitution

A

Congress can tax, court system, congress regulates trade between states, executive branch=president who chooses cabinet and had checks in power of judiciary and legislature, 2/3 of both house of Congress and 3/4 state or national convention to amend document, senate has 2 votes and the house of representatives represents its sate based on pop, congress can draft, federal court, constitution=supreme law, passing a law requires 50%+1 of both houses plus signature of president

46
Q

Popular Sovereignty

A

The National Government draws its power from the people of the US, Bd the people have given that power to the government through the constitution

47
Q

What are the 6 principles of the Constitution?

A
  1. Popular Sovereignty, 2. Limited Government3. Separation of Powers 4. Checks and Balances 5. Federalism 6. Judicial Review
48
Q

🌟Separation of Power

A

Power is distributed to 3 separate and independent branches

49
Q

🌟Checks and Balances

A

This means each branch is subject to a number of constitutional checks by the other branches.

50
Q

Veto

A

(reject) an act the president can make when congress wants to make a new law he/age doesn’t agree with

51
Q

Judicial review

A

The power of courts to determine wether what government does is in accordance with what the Constitution provides. (or rather, it is the power of a court to determine the the constitutionality of a governmental action)

52
Q

Bill of rights

A

The first 10 amendments to the constitution. They set the constitutional guarantees of freedom of belief, expression, security of the person, and of fair and equal treatment before the law

53
Q

🌟Legislative power

A

The power to make laws and to frame public policies

54
Q

🌟Executive power

A

The power to execute, enforce, and administer law

55
Q

🌟Judicial power

A

The power to interpret laws, to determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that arise in society

56
Q

Law of supply and demand

A

When supplies and goods and services are plentiful, prices tend to drop.

57
Q

Bicameral

A

2 house legislature

58
Q

Unicameral

A

One house body

59
Q

Albany plan of union

A

Proposed by Ben Franklin, he suggested that a formation of an annual congress of delegates should be made from each of the t13 colonies to have power to raise military and naval forces, make war and peace with native americans, regulate trade with them, tax, and collect custom duties.

60
Q

Mixed economy

A

An economy in which private enterprises exist in combination with a considerable amount government regulation and promotion

61
Q

Free enterprise system

A

An economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods; investments that are determined by private decision rather than by state control, and determine in a free market

62
Q

What was the result of the meetings at Mount Vernon and Annapolis in 1785 and 1786

A

Mount Vernon - Maryland and Virginia worked through trade disputes. They decided federal trade rules should be discussed by the coloniesAnnapolis - only 5 of the 13 colonies showed up to talk. Philadelphia - they tried again and wrote the constitution.

63
Q

Commerce and slave trade compromises

A

Congress is forbidden to tax the export of goods from any state, and it also forbids the power to act on the slave trade for a period of at least 20 years.

64
Q

🌟List 2 examples of how checks and balances work in a federal Gov.

A

Veto powerSupreme Court can overturn lawsLegislature can get enough votes to override a veto

65
Q

What is the purpose of a Preamble to the constitution

A

It states the purpose of the constitution.

66
Q

🌟Federalism

A

The division of power among a central government and several regional governments by the Constitution

67
Q

What part did Thomas Jefferson take in the making of the declaration of independence ?

A

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68
Q

🌟Who has the power? Lay and collect taxesOptions=-delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Concurrent

69
Q

🌟Who has the power? Grant divorces Options= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Reserved

70
Q

🌟Who has the power? Coin moneyOptions= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Delegated

71
Q

🌟Who has the power? Establish public schools Options= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Reserved

72
Q

🌟Who has the power? Declare warOptions= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Delegated

73
Q

🌟Who has the power? Purchase territoryOptions= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Delegated

74
Q

🌟Who has the power? Establish local gov. Options= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Reserved

75
Q

🌟Who has the power? Make and enforce lawsOptions= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Concurrent

76
Q

🌟Who has the power? Pass license requirement Options= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Reserved

77
Q

🌟Who has the power? Regulate foreign and interstate commerceOptions= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Delegated

78
Q

🌟Who has the power? Define crimes, set punishments Options= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Concurrent

79
Q

🌟Who has the power? Regulate intrastate commerce (inside a state)Options= -delegated(Federal gov)-reserved(state gov) -concurrent(both)

A

Reserved

80
Q

🌟What type of government holds Delegated powers?

A

Federal Gov

81
Q

🌟What type of government holds Reserved powers

A

State gov

82
Q

🌟What type of government holds Concurrent powers

A

Both Delegated (federal) and Reserved (state)

83
Q

Electoral college compromise

A

-Each state has as many electors as they have senators and representatives -person w/ most votes is president-2nd most votes is vice president -no majority in votes=house chooses-president has 4 year term

84
Q

🌟The federal papers

A

85 essays that supported the constitutionHamilton, Madison, and JayNew York, Virginia

85
Q

The 27 expressed powers

A

Powers spelled out in the constitution. Examples= coin, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

86
Q

Implied powers

A

Reasonably suggested through the NECESSARY AND PROPER CAUSE. (also called the ELASTIC CLAUSE) If the constitution gives the power to Declare War, than that implies the ability to draft an army.Examples= military draft, punish tax evaders

87
Q

Inherent powers

A

Powers traditionally granted to world governmentsExamples= territorial gains, immigration, eminent domain, defend against rebellion

88
Q

Reserved (state) powers (10th amendment)What are the powers denied to states?

A

Grants power to the states, establishes public schools, regulate alcoholic beverages, and licensing Powers denied= coin, depriving of natural rights

89
Q

The supremacy clause Hierarchy

A

Federal law supersedes state law, US supreme court Hierarchy: Federal, state, county, local

90
Q

🌟What is the importance of Marbury vs. Madison 1803?

A

In deciding this case, the Supreme Court established the power of judicial review.

91
Q

What were 4 questions of our founding fathers about how the government should work?

A
  1. Organization of power - strong central govt. vs. strong states2. Representation in congress - population vs. equal representation (hint, Great Compromise with 2 houses settled this)3. Slaves - 3/5 compromise for population representation4. Electing the president - people vs. congress (settled on electoral college)
92
Q

How many sections are in the constitution?How are they ordered?

A

8 sections1. Preamble (states purpose of constitution), 2. Article I legislative branch 3. Article II executive branch, 4. Article III judicial branch, 5. Article IV relations among states, 6. Article V amending the constitution,7. Article VI national debts, supremacy of national law, and oaths of office 8. ratifying the constitution (((8)))

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