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American Government > Unit 1 > Flashcards

Unit 1 Flashcards

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1
Q
  1. In your own words, define the following key terms as they come up in your reading.

state

A

a political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority

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2
Q
  1. In your own words, define the following key terms as they come up in your reading.

nation

A

any sizeable group of people who are united by common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and, sometimes, religion

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3
Q
  1. In your own words, define the following key terms as they come up in your reading.

nation-state

A

a nation that shares borders with a state

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4
Q
  1. In your own words, define the following key terms as they come up in your reading.

consensus

A

agreement about basic beliefs

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5
Q
  1. In your own words, define the following key terms as they come up in your reading.

sovereignty

A

a state has supreme and absolute authority within its territorial boundaries

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6
Q
  1. In your own words, define the following key terms as they come up in your reading.

government

A

the institution through which the state maintains social order, provides public servicers, and enforces decisions that are binding on all people living within the state

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7
Q
  1. In your own words, define the following key terms as they come up in your reading.

social contract

A

a contract between the government and the people in which the people surrender power to the government while the government protects the rights of the people

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8
Q
  1. On what political theory did the American colonies base their calls for independence from Britain? (p. 8)
A

natural rights/social contract of John Locke

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9
Q
  1. List and describe the four major purposes of government. (pp. 9-11)
A

maintain social order – governments provide ways of solving conflict

provide public services – governments undertake large projects that individuals could or would not do on their own

provide national security – governments protect the people and handle relations with other countries

making economic decisions – governments try to provide their citizens with what the need and want

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10
Q
  1. Which purpose of government was considered important by Abraham Lincoln? (p. 10)
A

providing public services

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11
Q

What is a confederacy? (p. 12)

A

a loose union of independent states

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12
Q
  1. What is a constitution? (p. 13)
A

a plan that provides the rules for government

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13
Q
  1. Define ‘preamble.’ (p. 13)
A

a statement in a constitution that sets forth the goals and purposes to be served by the government

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14
Q
  1. What does constitutional law primarily concern? (p. 14)
A

interpretation and application fot eh constitution

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15
Q
  1. The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government, such as when you vote for the president, is known as what? (p. 15)
A

politics

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16
Q
  1. Based on your reading about politics on pages 14 and 15, what do you think are some potential positive and negative effects of politics? (pp. 14-15)
A

Politics helps people be involved, while it can create inequality

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17
Q
  1. The United States is an example of what type of nation: industrialized or developing? How can you tell? (p. 16)
A

industrialized, because we have advanced industries

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18
Q
  1. Define the types of government listed in the table below. (pp. 18-20)

autocracy

A

rule in the hands of a single individual

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19
Q
  1. Define the types of government listed in the table below. (pp. 18-20)

monarchy

A

a king, queen, or emperor excercises the supreme powers of government

monarchs usually inherit their positions

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20
Q
  1. Define the types of government listed in the table below. (pp. 18-20)

absolute monarchy

A

monarchy in which the monarch has absolute authority

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21
Q
  1. Define the types of government listed in the table below. (pp. 18-20)

constitutional monarchy

A

monarchy in which monarchs are mostly ceremonial and share powers with a legislature

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22
Q
  1. Define the types of government listed in the table below. (pp. 18-20)

oligarchy

A

government in which small group holds power

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23
Q
  1. Define the types of government listed in the table below. (pp. 18-20)

democracy

A

government in which people rule

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24
Q
  1. Define the types of government listed in the table below. (pp. 18-20)

direct democracy

A

people vote directly on issues

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25
Q
  1. Define the types of government listed in the table below. (pp. 18-20)

representative democracy

A

people elect representatives to vote on issues

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26
Q
  1. What are the elements that are necessary for a democracy to thrive (read “The Soil of Democracy”)? (pp. 23-24)
A

active citizen participation

favorable economy

widespread education

strong civil society

social consensus

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27
Q
  1. Define confederacy (p. 12 – review from lesson 2).
A

loose union of independent states

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28
Q
  1. What type of government does the United States have? (p. 20)
A

representative democracy

republic

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29
Q
  1. What is a political party and what are the two major political parties in the United States? (p. 23)
A

group of individuals with broad common interests who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government,. and determine public policy

Republicans
Democrats

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30
Q
  1. Adam Smith provided the philosophy for which type of economic system? (p. 27)
A

He believed in Laissez-faire, which means that the government is hands-off of the economy.

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31
Q
  1. Define socialism. (p. 28)
A

In socialism, the government owns the basic means of production, determines the use of resources, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as education, health care, and welfare.

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32
Q
  1. What type of economic system does the United States have? (p. 28)
A

The US has a capitalist system in which the government plays a role.

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33
Q
  1. What type of economy exists in communist countries? (p. 30)
A

A command economy, in which the government makes all economic decisions, exists in communist countries.

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34
Q
  1. Define capitalism. (p. 27)
A

Capitalism is a system in which buyers and sellers are free to make unlimited economic decisions.

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35
Q
  1. What are the three goals of socialism? (p. 28)
A

the distribution of wealth and economic opportunity equally among people; society’s control, through its government, of all major decisions about production; and public ownership of most land, of factories, and of other means of production

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36
Q
  1. Why does socialism tend to rise in a society? (p. 28)
A

Because people in another form of government want more security

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37
Q
  1. Define communism. (p. 30)
A

communism is a system in which one class would evolve, property would all be held in common, and there would be no need for government

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38
Q
  1. Who governed the original 13 colonies? (38)
A

They were governed by a system similar to ours, but they believed that they owed allegiance to the monarch.

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39
Q
  1. What did the Petition of Right state? (36)
A

This severely limited the king’s power after he had abused it so much. (way back in early England, enforced on Charles I)

40
Q
  1. What was the first legislature in America called? (39)
A

The Virginia House of Burgesses.

41
Q
  1. Define representative government. (37)
A

In representative government, the people elect representatives to rule for them.

42
Q
  1. What is meant by separation of powers? (40)
A

Separation of powers is a system in which different powers are given to different branches of government.

43
Q
  1. What was the name of the document signed by the Pilgrims in 1620 that was the first American government document? (39)
A

The Mayflower Compact.

44
Q
  1. Why was the Magna Carta important? (36)
A

It said that the king did not have absolute authority.

45
Q
  1. In the eyes of the British, the American colonies existed for what reason? (42)
A

The American colonies, like all other colonies, existed as a source for raw goods and a market for manufactured goods. Therefore, they were for the economic benefit of Great Britain.

46
Q
  1. What are two reasons why the colonists remained loyal to Britain? (42)
A

The colonists remained loyal to Britain because Britain did not try to exert control in the beginning. They could self-rule, and they had protection from the French in Canada.

47
Q
  1. Who wrote the pamphlet “Common Sense”?
A

Thomas Paine wrote the highly influential pamphlet “Common Sense.”

48
Q
  1. The Declaration of Independence founded government based on which two principles? (47)
A

The Declaration of Independence founded government based on human liberty and consent of the governed.

49
Q
  1. What was the main reason that the colonists revolted against Britain? (44)
A

Britain tightened control and basically abused them. They also had high taxes to help pay for the French war thing. People began to think of themselves as Americans instead of British subjects.

50
Q
  1. From what historical figure did Thomas Jefferson rely when he was writing the Declaration of Independence? In what ways does the Declaration reflect his ideas? (46)
A

It reflected Locke’s ideas in that Locke said that people should get their freedom and consent to be governed.

51
Q

Next, open the Declaration of Independence using the link on slide 4 and identify three complaints: one political, one civil, and one economics.

A

Political Complaint- He has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.

Civil Compliant- For depriving us in many cases, of the benefits of Trial by Jury:

Economic Complaint- For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world:

52
Q
  1. According to the Articles of Confederation, what was the main purpose of Congress?
    (48) (Hint: Take a look at the powers given to Congress and generalize what was most important to them.)
A

The main purpose of Congress was essentially to be the unifying thing that states would contribute to in order to contribute to the country.

53
Q
  1. Under the Articles, the plan for central government included what? (48)
A

A Congress with one chamber.

54
Q
  1. According to the Articles, Congress had which powers? (48)
A

It could make war and peace, send and receive ambassadors, enter into treaties, raise and equip a navy, maintain an army by requesting troops from the states, appoint senior military officers, fix standards of weights and measures, regulate Indian affairs, establish post offices, and decide certain disputes among the states.

55
Q
  1. Shays’s Rebellion was caused by what problem? (51)
A

Shays’s Rebellion was caused by the fact that many farmers were angrily in debt because of economic disunity. Many courts took their farms forcefully.

56
Q
  1. True or False: Congress had the power to amend the Articles. (50)
A

Technically it did, but they really couldn’t because every state had to agree with amending them. (UPDATE: I don’t think it did at all, it says it required the approval of the states)

57
Q
  1. What was the main consequence/result of Shays’s Rebellion? (51)
A

It frightened leaders and caused some to agree with a strong government.

58
Q
  1. What was decided in the Connecticut Compromise? (54-55)
A

The legislature would have two parts, a House of Representatives, which had state representation based on population and where all revenue laws would begin, and the Senate, which had two delegates from each state, in which the smaller states would be protected.

59
Q
  1. Outline some of the arguments of the Anti-Federalists. (56)
A

The Anti-Federalists stated that the Constitution was extralegal, not sanctioned by law, since the Convention had only been authorized to revise the articles. They argued that it would make the central government too strong and enable it to take away many powers from states. However, their strongest argument was that it did not have a Bill of Rights.

60
Q
  1. On what controversial issue did the Founders settle on in order to pass the Constitution? (55-56)
A

Slavery. The Founders did not eliminate slavery because they knew that the South would not accept the abolishment of slavery.

61
Q
  1. Who is known as the ‘Father of the Constitution?’ (53)
A

James Madison is often called the Father of the Constitution because he was the author of the Virginia Plan, the basis for the Constitution.

62
Q
  1. What concept is the basis of the Constitution? (65)
A

Popular sovereignty, rule by the people, is the basis of the Constitution.

63
Q
  1. This section of the Constitution states why it was written. (63)
A

The Preamble

64
Q
  1. What gives Congress the right to make all “necessary and proper” laws? (69)
A

The elastic clause gives Congress the right to do anything that is necessary for it to do anything that they already mentioned.

65
Q
  1. What does Articles I, II, and III describe in the Constitution? (68)
A

Each article describes a specific branch of government, the legislative, executive, and judicial branch, respectively. The Senate was supposed to represent the needs of the states, while the house was supposed to represent the needs of the people. The President is limited by an impeachment clause, and Article III established only the Supreme Court, giving Congress the ability to create additional courts as the needs arise. Federal courts can only deal with the Constitution, federal laws, or controversies that go outside the jurisdiction of state courts.

66
Q
  1. What is involved in the jurisdiction of federal courts? (72)
A

Federal courts try cases that involve the Constitution, treaties with foreign nations, or US laws. In addition, admiralty or maritime law, that is, the law of the sea, is also disputed by federal courts, in addition to bankruptcy.

67
Q
  1. Decisions of the Supreme Court can be overturned in what two ways? (73)
A

A Constitutional amendment or a new law can overturn a Supreme Court decision. (UPDATE: New Court Decision)

68
Q
  1. Which proposed amendment caused questions when states revoked their ratification of it? (78)
A

The Equal Rights Amendment, which proposed equal rights for women and men.

69
Q
  1. Congress has set this time limit on state ratification of an amendment. (78)
A

In modern times, the limit is seven years.

70
Q
  1. True or False: Executive agreements do not require congressional approval. (80)
A

True

71
Q
  1. True or False: Treaties require congressional approval. (80)
A

True

72
Q
  1. What is prior restraint? (85)
A

Prior restraint is government censorship of information before it is published or broadcast.

73
Q
  1. How did the 21st Amendment affect the 18th Amendment? (90)
A

The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment.

74
Q
  1. What did the 24th Amendment do? (90)
A

The 24th amendment prohibits poll taxes in federal elections, which prevents people who are poor to be denied voting privileges because of that. These were mostly African Americans.

75
Q

The Bill of Rights was not part of the original Constitution. For what purpose were the first 10 amendments added to the Constitution?

A

They were added to precisely define rights and convince others to pass the Constitution.

76
Q

Which amendments are known as the Civil War Amendments?

A

The Thirteenth, Fourteenth, and fifteenth Amendments are known as the Civil War Amendments because they are results of that war.

77
Q
  1. Government control of immigration is an example of what type of power? (96)
A

Government control of immigration is an example of an inherent power.

78
Q
  1. What is the supremacy clause? (97)
A

The supremacy clause states that the national law and Constitution is supreme to state laws and constitutions.

79
Q
  1. What are delegated powers? (95)
A

Delegated powers are powers the Constitution grants or delegates to the national government.

80
Q
  1. What are examples of powers denied to the national government? (98)
A

The government cannot tax exports or interfere with the ability of states to carry out their responsibilities.

81
Q
  1. What is a Constitutional obligation of the national government to the states? (98-99)
A

The national government must guarantee each state a republican form of government, protection, and respect of territorial integrity. That is, it cannot use the territory of one state to form another state without that state’s consent.

82
Q
  1. What is a Constitutional obligation of the states to the national government? (102)
A

The states must conduct and pay for all federal elections. The states must also help in the amendment process.

83
Q
  1. What are concurrent powers? (97)
A

Concurrent powers are powers held by both state and national governments.

84
Q
  1. What is extradition? (103)
A

Extradition is returning someone, usually a criminal, to another state, usually the one in which they committed the crime.

85
Q
  1. What are public acts? (103-104)
A

Public acts are civil laws passed by state legislatures.

86
Q
  1. What are interstate compacts? (105)
A

Interstate compacts are written agreements between or among states.

87
Q
  1. What is a civil law? (103)
A

Civil laws are laws relating to disputes between individuals, groups, or with the state.

88
Q
  1. The Constitution requires states to settle their disputes without ___. (105)
A

force

89
Q
  1. Which is the only court in which one state may sue another? (105)
A

The US Supreme Court.

90
Q
  1. Which man was a supporter of the states’ rights position? (107)
A

Chief Justice Roger B. Taney often supported states’ rights against powers of the national government.

91
Q
  1. Which man supported the nationalist position? (107)
A

Franklin D. Roosevelt supported the nationalist position.

92
Q
  1. What was the main purpose of the 16th Amendment? (108)
A

The Sixteenth Amendment gave Congress the power to levy the income tax.

93
Q
  1. Under what authority did Congress pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964? (108)
A

Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964 under its authority to regulate commerce, because the Supreme Court ruled that segregation was harming commerce.

94
Q
  1. What affects the relationship between federal and state governments? (108)
A

The growth in the size and power of the national government has changed this relationship.

95
Q
  1. What are federal grants? (109)
A

Federal grants are sums of money given to state or local governments to be spent for a variety of specific purposes.

96
Q
  1. What is a public policy? (112)
A

A public policy is the course of action that a government takes in response to some issue or problem.

97
Q
  1. How does federalism contribute to economic and political differences among the states? (115)
A

Federalism allows national problems to be solved while allowing differences between different areas.

American Government (4 decks)

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