Structure Of The U.S Government Flashcards
In reality
De Facto
In theory
De Jure
What is the constitution?
The constitution were the rules set out to govern all states within the USA. It was created due to tensions between the Northern and Southern states.
Created in 1787
What is The Bill of Rights?
The first ten amendments to the U.S constitution.
What are the first ten amendments to the U.S constitution?
- Freedom of speech, press, religion and petition.
- Right to keep and bear arms.
- Protection from quartering of soldiers.
- Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
- Right to due process of the law.
- Right to trial by jury, speedy trial, public trial, counsel.
- Right to civil trial by jury.
- Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
- Protection of rights not enumerated in the Constitution.
- Protection of the powers of the states and the people.
13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments
- The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution officially abolished and continues to prohibit slavery to this day.
- The Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution declared that all persons born or naturalized in the United States are American citizens including African Americans.
- The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits each government in the United States from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen’s race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Executive
President is head of state
(highest executive).
Legislative
Makes the law.
Discusses laws and must agree to the people chosen by the president to help him rule.
Judiciary
Interprets the law.
Courts (justice and legal system) for the whole of the USA. (Jury)
Governor
Head of the executive of each state.
Political parties in the U.S
Republicans:
- Associated with conservative views.
- Believe in big businesses and a reduced government.
(In the 1800s, Republicans were the political party of reform, which freed slaves and promoted African American rights.)
Democrats:
- Associated with progressive reforms in the North but supported segregation and restrictions on -African Americans in the south.
- From 1930, they won more support from African Americans and minorities.
How many African Americans were in the USA in 1861?
4.4 million.
What was the American Civil War? (when, what, why, who?)
Began in 1861, ended 1865. 11 Southern states left the Union and caused greater tensions between the Northern and Southern states which led to the outbreak of the Civil War. The President at the time was Abraham Lincoln until succeeded by Andrew Johnson on April 15th 1865.
What was the 13th amendment (when, what, why, who?)
The abolition of slavery in 1865 after the American Civil War.
What benefits did the 13th amendment give to African Americans?
They were now free in theory. (De Jure)
What were the problems of the position of African Americans in the USA after 1865?
Stuck in a poverty cycle through the crop-lien system. Had no De Facto rights.
What was sharecropping?
Sharecropping is a type of farming in which families rent small plots of land from a landowner in return for a portion of their crop.
It was basically the legalised version of slavery and put African Americans into the start of an ongoing poverty cycle through the crop-lien system.
What was the crop-lien system?
Black farmers would get credit before the planting season by borrowing against the value of anticipated harvests. Local merchants provided food and supplies all year long on credit; when the cotton crop was harvested farmers turned it over to the merchant to pay back their debt.
What were the problems that affected African Americans by 1865?
Racism, seemingly endless poverty cycle, no rights, etc.
What is federalism?
Government for the whole country of the USA.
What was the ‘Old South’?
The Old South are those in the Southern United States that were among the original Thirteen Colonies. Prior to The American Civil War of 1861.
How did the ‘Old South’ treat African Americans?
Slavery was still a legalised ‘practice’ and there was a lot of racism and attacks. They had no rights.
