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civics > q1 exam > Flashcards

q1 exam Flashcards

1
Q

what are 2 enlightenment thinkers?

A

Aristotle, Cicero

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2
Q

Natural Rights

A

rights given by God or by nature to all. rights not given by law, but by birth.

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3
Q

rule of law

A

a government of laws vs. a government of one or a few. no one is above the law

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4
Q

social contract theory

A

the people (society) agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for security

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5
Q

popular sovereignty

A

a government based on the consent of the governed; power is held by the people

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6
Q

constitutionalism

A

the principle that a government’s powers are defined and limited in advance

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7
Q

demagogue

A

a leader who uses false claims and false promises to play on the popular passions and prejudices of the people in order to gain political power.

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8
Q

why was league of friendship a weakness of the articles of confederation?

A

it implied the states were independent and not united; causing conflict and distance between the states

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9
Q

why was no taxation enforcement a weakness of the articles of confederation?

A

the government couldnt collect the money it needed to pay the military, leading to the cause of Shays’ Rebellion

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10
Q

what is the supreme law of the land

A

the u.s. constitution

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11
Q

how was the constitution written?

A

in a way that anyone could read and understand it, lawyers and nonlawyers alike

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12
Q

which core principle is expressed in the words “We the People”

A

popular sovreignty

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13
Q

article I

A

legislative branch- makes law

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14
Q

article II

A

executive branch- enforces law

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15
Q

article III

A

judicial branch- interprets law

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16
Q

article V

A

outlines the amendment process

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17
Q

what liberties added on with the bill of rights?

A

free speech, free press, freedom of religion, and the right to a jury trial

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18
Q

what happened during the reconstruction period?

A

slavery was abolished, they wrote the delcaration of independence’s promise of freedom and equality into the constitution, and banned racial discrimination in voting

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19
Q

what was the original purpose of the constitution

A

to revise the articles of confederation

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20
Q

where did the convention take place

A

independence hall in Philadelphia, pennsylvania

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21
Q

all 13 states except which one sent delegates

A

rhode island

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22
Q

many delegates fought in _____________ ___

A

revolutionary war

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23
Q

more than half delegates were _______

A

lawyers

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24
Q

most of the delegates were _______ __________

A

wealthy landowners

25
Q

Virginia plan

A

proportional representation; favored by the larger states

26
Q

New Jersey Plan

A

equal representation; favored by smaller states

27
Q

Connecticut Plan (the great compromise)

A

proposed 2 houses (house of reps- proportional; senate- equal)

28
Q

house of representatives

A

house based on proportional representation

29
Q

senate

A

house based on equal representation

30
Q

electoral collage

A

agreed on method of electing the president of the united states

31
Q

3/5 compromise

A

enslaved persons would be counted as 3/5 of a person when it came to drawing up congressional districts based on each states population size

32
Q

what day was the constitution signed

A

September 17, 1787

33
Q

popular sovreignty

A

the principle that says the power of the government comes from the people

34
Q

rule of law

A

principle that says no one is above the law; we have a gov. of laws not men

35
Q

the enlightenment

A

a 18th century movement focused on intellectual, philosophical, and political thought

36
Q

unalienable rights

A

life, liberty, persuit of happiness

37
Q

object of the declaration of indpendence according to George Washington in his letter to henry knox

A

to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent, and to justify ourselves in the independent stand we are compelled to take.

38
Q

according to the Declaration of independence where does the power of the government come from

A

comes from the consent of the governed

39
Q

how did king george III abuse his rule of the American people

A

imposed taxation without representation, violating jury trial rights, sending standing armies in times of peace

40
Q

magna carta

A

establishes that the Principles of the American Revolution would also serve as the foundation for the government of the United States

41
Q

definition of happiness

A

long-term virtue

42
Q

letters from a farmer in Pennsylvania to the inhabitants of the British colonies (1768)

A

john dickinson’s response to the taxation policies of great britian

43
Q

common sense

A

written by thomas paine; helped him become one of Americas best selling authors; published in 1766

44
Q

what was the framers goal of the constitution

A

create balance between national and state governments, three branches of national government, and a stronger national government and the liberties of the people

45
Q

best way to protect the unalienable rights promised by the declaration of independence, was a constitution founded on __________ __ ______

A

separation of powers

46
Q

what are the three branches of government

A

legislative, executive, juidical

47
Q

checks and balances

A

grants each branch the power to check abuses by other branches

48
Q

word used to describe the constitutions system of granting political power by dividing political power between national and state governments

A

federalism

49
Q

“The Spirit of the Laws”

A

written by Montesquieu; articulates the importance of the separation of powers

50
Q

according to Montesquieu, what happens when the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person, or in the same body of magistrates?

A

“there can be no liberty”

51
Q

definition of republic according to john adams “thoughts on government”

A

“an empire of laws and not of men”

52
Q

James Madison outlined his explanation and defense of the Constitution’s separation of powers in

A

Federalist no. 51

53
Q

According to Madison, in a good government…

A

“Ambition must be made to counteract ambition”

54
Q

what are the federalist papers?

A

a series of essays that defended the constitution and the notion of the separation of powers

55
Q

Who said “if the men were angels, no government would be necessary”?

A

James Madison

56
Q

examples of executive power jobs

A

mayor (town), governor (state), president (country)

57
Q

examples of checks and balances

A

vetoing a law, rejecting a judicial nominee, impeachment

58
Q
A

civics (2 decks)

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