USA Government Flashcards
Define Unconstitutional
Not agreeing to the constitution (law), therefore is illegal and cannot exist
What are the two type of American governments and how do their powers differ?
- State: responsible for the state and based in respective state (e.g. Alabama)
- Federal: responsible for the country as a whole, based in Washington D.C.
What are the 3 parts of the US government?
- President
- Congress (contained the Senate)
- Supreme Court
How many senators are in congress?
100 (2 per state)
How many Justices are there on the Supreme Court?
9
What are the two main parties in the US?
- Republicans
- Democrats
What are the main aims of the Republican party?
Republicans wanted to see businesses succeed and believed the government should only play a small role in running the country.
What are the main aims of the Democratic party?
Democrats wanted the government to play a larger role in running America in order to solve the country’s social problems.
What policy did the Republican party follow?
A policy called ‘laissez-faire’ (meaning hands off), they like to stay out of people’s lives wherever possible.
How did the Republican party appeal to businessmen and rich people?
Aimed to keep taxes as low as possible on American goods especially. They placed high tariffs on foreign produce, this ensured that the US businesses own products had the highest demand and were bought the most.
Which states generally supported the Republican party?
Generally, were supported more by the richer and industrial northern states.
What is the logo of the Republican Party?
An Elephant
What attitude did Republican politicians generally follow?
Rugged individualism
What logo is sported by the democratic party?
A donkey
What is the nickname of the Democratic Party?
Ordinary people’s party
Who did the democratic party appeal to the most?
The vulnerable, such as poor and elderly
Where did the democratic party generally have more support?
The poorer southern states.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The Bill of Rights is part of the constitution. It guarantees Americans a series of freedoms and rights, including the right to vote, and freedom of belief, freedom of information and freedom in law. However, by 1919, many states refused to recognise the right to vote of women, African-Americans and American Indians.
