SOL Review Flashcards
Citizen traits
Trustworthy Respect the law Responsible Participating Patriotism Informed decision-making Courteous
Citizen duties
obeying laws
Pay taxes
Serve in the military if drafted (called)
Serve on a jury if summoned
Citizen responsibilities
register and vote
hold elected office
Communicate w/ gov officials to influence gov actions
serve in voluntary, appointed gov positions
participate in political campaigns
keep informed of current issues
respect others’ right to an equal voice in gov
US citizenship is defined in…
14th amendment
Naturalization steps
- 18+
- Legal Resident of US for at least 3-5 yrs
- Good moral loyal character
- Be able to read, write, and speak basic English
- Pass naturalization test
- Take oath of allegiance
2 ways to become a citizen
Naturalization
Birth
How are you born into a citizen?
- Being born in the US or one of its territories
2. Being born to parents who are citizens
3. If one or both of your parents have been naturalized
What does media influence?
PUblic policy
Public opinion
how does media influence Public policy
Media influences the actions and plans of the gov
how does media influence public oopinion?
Media influences what people think & feel ‘cause it’s where most people get their information.
two groups who influence public policy?
individuals
interest groups
how do individuals influence poublic policy
Participating in politics
Expressing opinions
Joining interest groups
how do interest groups influence publluc policy
Identifying issues
Making political contributions
Lobbying gov officials
4 functions of political parties
- _____NOMINATING_____Nominating and recruiting candidates
- ___EDUCATING___ Educating the electorate about campaign issues
- __(SUCCEED)_HELP__ (succeed) help candidates win
- _____(WATCH) MONITOR____ (watch) monitor actions of office holders
Democratic party traits
Higher taxes
Universal Healthcare
More gov regulations of businesses
Republican party traits
Lower taxes
Private healthcare
Less gov regulation of businesses
3rd party characteristics
Don’t usually win
Introduce new ideas
Focus on one particular issue
Revolve around a political personality
Similarities between the two major parties are:
Organize to win elections
Influence public policies
Reflect both liberal & conservative views
Appeal to the political center (moderates) to win majority support
roles/functions of Media in Elections?
Identifying Candidates
Editorials, political cartoons, publishing op-ed pieces
Emphasizing selected issues
Broadcasting different points of view
How can citizens make informed choices? (deSIDE)
Separate fact from opinion
Identify propaganda
Detecting Bias
Evaluating Sources
Electoral COllege
a group of 538 electors that vote for the PRES & VICE PRES
How is the number of votes in the Electoral College determined and how many does Virginia have?
VA has 13, the electors = representatives, Senators; a vote for each elector; states get a specific # of electors based on the state’s Congressional Representation.
The minimum number of votes to win the Electoral College:
270
1607-Charters of teh Vigrinia Company of LOndon
guarantees the colonists going to VA the same rights as Englishmen, gave permission to settle jamestown colony
1776-VA Dec of Rights
Guarantees Freedom of the Press
Serves as model for the Bill of Rights
1776 Declaration of Independence
Declared independence from England. Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness
Lists grievances against King of England, all men are equal under law.
1777 VA Statute for Religious Freedom
Establishes Freedom of Religion and beliefs.
1781 - Articles of Confederation
Congress had no power to tax or to enforce laws. Major powers reside with
Individuals. No executive, no national court system. Approval from at least 9 of 13 states to create
Laws. CREATED WEAK CENTRAL GOVERNMENT.
US Constitution year
1787
Fundamental principles:
Consent of the governed limited govt rule of law democracy representative govt
Bill of Rights year
1791
First amendment
Freedom of _religion\_\_ Freedom of \_\_assembly\_\_ Freedom of \_\_\_\_Press\_\_ Freedom of \_\_\_\_\_Petition\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ Freedom of \_\_\_\_\_\_Speech\_\_\_\_\_\_
Legislative
Branch of government who finds its power in Article 1 of the US Constitution
The group in charge is called: _Congress__.
2 houses
- __House of Representatives__, number of representatives is __435__, which is determined
by __the populations of the states__.
- ___Senate___, number of representatives is ___100___, which is determined
by ___two per state___.
The two types of powers they have are:
expressed
implied
expressed powers
- makes laws for the nation
- APPROVES the annual budget
- CONFIRMS presidential appointments
- RAISES revenue through taxes and levies
- REGULATES interstate and foreign trade
- DECLARES war
implied powers
Introduce bill Work on bill in committee Debate bill on floor Vote on bill Send to the other House Send bill to the president to sign into law
Executive
Branch of government who finds its power in Article 2 of the US Constitution
7 roles of president
- ___Chief of State___: ceremonial head of gov (lights national christmas tree)
- ___Chief Executive___: Head of Exec Branch, including executive agencies and cabinet
(president’s advisors) (boss for 2 million members of bureaucracy) - ___Chief Legislator___: proposer of the legislative agenda (proposes laws, veto bills)
- ___Commander-in-Chief___: Head of the nation’s armed forces (national security, army)
- __Chief Diploment__: Architect (designer) of American foreign policy (treaties, peace-talks)
- __Chief of Party___: Leader of political party the controls E branch (Campaigns)
- ___Chief Citizen___: Representative of people (inspires, comforts)
4 ways the President influences public policy:
- Approve or veto laws
- Proposing legislation (laws)
- Appeal directly to people
- Appoints officials that carry out laws
judicial
Branch of government who finds its power in Article 3 of the US Constitution
The group in charge is called the: __Supreme Court__ and there are 9 Justices who serve for life and are appointed by the _____president______.
What is the power of Judicial Review and which court case established Judicial Review:
Decides whether something is constitutional or not
Marbury v. Madison
Legislative checks on Executive:
- override vetoes
- impeach/convict the pres
- approve budget
- approve pres appointments
Legislative checks on Judicial:
- confirm or refuse to confirm federal judges/justices
- impeach and convict judges/justices
Executive checks on Legislative:
- proposes legislation
- prepares an annual budget
- call special sessions of Congresses
- vetoes legislation Congress has passed
Executive checks on Judicial:
- appoints judges/justices
- grants pardons and reprieves
Judicial checks on Legislative:
Judicial review
Judicial checks on Executive:
Judicial review
federalism
the system of the gov
group in charge of the State Legislative Branch
VA general assembly
names of the two houses (state)
The House of Delegates___ and ___The VA Senate
Primary Job of the State Legislative Branch
write laws in response to problems or issues
The Primary Issues most laws are about
state budget public health environemnt revenue education
person in charge of the State Executive Branch
governor
Governor’s five roles
Commander-in-chief: leader of armed forces
· Chief Legislator: proposer of the VA legislative agenda
· Chief Administrator: leader of its agencies
· Chief of Party: leader of political party that controls the Exec. Branch in the state
· Chief of State: Ceremonial Head of VA Government
3 types of localities
counties
cities
towns
local governments get their power from
VA constitution and acts by General Assembly
Local governments have 7 powers they need to carry out:
Enforce State and Local Laws: Make sure people follow state and local laws
· Promote Public Health: Protect health of citizens
· Protect Public Safety: Make sure citizens are safe
· Educate Children: Build and manage schools in locality
· Protect the Environment: Protect natural resources
· Regulate Land Use: Organize and give permission for the building of states, houses, roads, and schools on local roads
· Levy and Collect Taxes: Locality collects taxes, such as taxes on cars and homes
Head of the Local Legislative Branch
Board of Supervisors (County) or Council (city/town)
Primary jobs of Local Legislative Branch:
approve annual budget and Enact ordinances
Head of Local Executive Branch:
Local Bureaucracy (County) or Mayor (city/town)
Primary Job of Local Executive Branch:
carries out laws for locality
Head of the Local Judicial Branch:
Local courts
Primary Job of the Local Judicial Branch
interpet law in each locality
What are the 5 other elected officials that help with local government:
Attorney for commonwealth Sheriff Clerk of CIrcuit Court Commission of revenue treasurer
Virginia Constitution Amendment Process:
proposal
ratification
Proposal
a majority of members in the general assembly or convention propose an amendment
ratification
a majority of voters in VA will vote to ratify the amendment
5th amendment
provides Due Process from the National Government.
4th amendment
provides Due Process from the State Government.
civil case is an
argumenr
3 Steps in a civil court case:
- Plaintiff files a complaint to recover damages and/or receive compensation
- Case can be heard by a Judge or Jury
- Case can be appealed
3 Courts in the Federal Court System:
US Supreme court
US Court of Appeals
US DIstrict Court
What types of cases will be heard by Federal Courts?
Constitutional and law
List the 5 Courts in the State Court System:
VA Supreme court Court of Appeals of VA Circuit Court General DIstrict Court Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court
What types of cases will be heard in State Courts?
Robberies and divorces, that type of stuff
A Criminal Case is:
Law is broken
5 Steps in Criminal Case:
Arrest Jail of Bail Arraignment Trial Appeal
