Test Flashcards
Why do we need government
They make it possible for people to live together peacefully
What is civics
Study of rights and duties of citizens
What are the four functions of the government
Keep order
Provide security
Provide services
Guide the community
What are the levels of the government
National
State
Local
What are the five principles of american democracy
Rule of law Limited government Consent of the governed Individual rights Representative government
What is rule of law
All people are bound by the law
What is limited government
Government may only do things that people give it power to do
What is consent of the governed
Citizens are the source of power
What is individual rights
Protected by government
What is representative government
People elect government leaders to make laws/govern on their behalf
What are two ways to become a citizen
Birth
Naturalization
What is patriotism
Love for ones country
What is terrorism
Use of violence by groups against civilians to achieve a political goal
What did the Magna Carta do
Limited king Johns power
Established rule of law
What is England’s law making body called
Parliament
What principle did the glorious revolution establish
No ruler has more power than legislature
What did the English bill of rights state
Monarch couldn’t suspend parliaments laws or do things without their consent
Members were freely elected
Members had right to free speech
Gave people right to a fair trial by jury
No cruel/unusual punishments
What is common law
Based on precedent and customs
What is a precedent
Ruling in a previous similar case
What are the four sources of American law
Common law
Equity law
Constitutional law
Statutory law
What is a colony
Group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country elsewhere
What is a charter
Written document granting land and authority to set up colonial governments
What does the Virginia house of burgesses mark
1st sign of self government
What is the mayflower compact
Agreement or contract
Government would make just and equal laws
Direct democracy
What is mercantilism
Belief that a country should sell more than they buy
Why was the stamp act passed
Great britian needed to pay off war debt
How did the colonists react to the stamp act
They boycotted
What did tbe declaratory act of 1766 do
Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies
What items were taxed under the townshed acts
Glass
Tea
Paper
Lead
How did the colonists respond to the tea act
Boston tea party
What did the intolerable acts take away from the colonists
Trial by jury
Soldiers could search/move into their homes
What happened at the first continental congress
Delegates sent a document to the king demanding that their rights be restored
What happened at the second continental congress
They made the Declaration of Independence
What is a constitution
Written plan for government
How was the Massachusetts constitution different
It distributed the power evenly
Other branches had the power to check other branches
What were the weaknesses of the articles of the confederation
Confess had no power to collect taxes
Regulate trade
Enforce laws
No single/group leader directed government policy
No national court system
Congress couldn’t pass laws without 9 states
Articles couldn’t be changed without all the states
Who presided over the convention
George Washington
What happened at the constitutional convention
They discarded the articles and wrote a new constitution
What is the Virginia plan
3 branches
2 houses- based on population/large state
What is the New Jersey plan
3 branches
1 house
States got one vote
What was decided with the great compromise
2 houses
1 based on population (house of reps)
1 equal representation (senate)
What was the three fifths compromise
Every 5 enslaved persons count as 3 free persons
What does the electoral college do
Voters choose electors
What were the federalists
Supported the constitution
What were the anti federalists
Opposed the constitution
Thought that it gave the national government too much power
What is federalism
Power shared between the levels of government
What caused the anti federalists to agree to ratification
They added the bill of rights
Whats the purpose of the preamble
Tells us why the constitution was written
What is the topics of the seven articles
Power comes from the people Form a more perfect union Establish justice Insure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Piemonte the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty
What are the two steps to the amendment process
Proposal
Ratification
What is the necessary and proper Clause
Powers are not specifically listed in the constitution
What are the five principles underlying the constitution
Popular sovereignty Rule of law Separation of powers Checks and balances Federalism Supremacy of constitution
What are expressed powers
Powers that congress has that are specifically listed in the constitution
What are reserved powers
Powers that the constitution doesn’t give to the national government the powers are kept by the states
What are concurrent powers
Powers are shared by the state and federal government
What is the supremacy clause
The constitution is the supreme law of the land
What are the 5 freedoms listed in the 1st amendment
Freedom of speech Press Religion Assembly To petition the government
What is slander
Spreading lies verbally
What is libel
Spreading lies by printing
What stentor duties of citizens
Obey laws
Defend the nation
Serve in court
Attend school
What are the responsibilities of citizens
Be informed Vote Respect others rights Respect diversity Contribute to the common good
