Unit 1/2
The type of government America has and where the idea came from
Democratic Republican from Greece/Rome.
Delegated powers and reserved powers.
Delegated: Print money, control trade, provide defense for the country.
Reserved: Regulate trade within the state, set up local government, conduct elections.
Members of the house of representatives and senate:
House of representatives: 435
Senate: 100
Marbury v. Madison
Established judicial review.
Propaganda:
Ideas that are spread to influence people
Census information
The census is taken every 10 years by everyone in the country. The government uses the census data to reappoint the House’s seats based on the representation ratio.
Checks and balances:
President can veto laws made by congress, congress can override veto with a ⅔ vote in both houses, the judiciary can review acts of other branches and deem them unconstitutional.
Bicameral legislation:
Two houses of Congress, house of representatives and senate.
Concurrent powers
Powers shared by federal and state government.
Platform and plank:
Platform is a statement of the party's views and policies on important issues, the planks are each part of the platform.
Difference between dictator and oligarchy
Dictator is one person in complete control and power, oligarchy is a group of people with complete control and power.
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments that protected individual rights
FIlibuster
Speaking for a long time to delay a vote.
Full faith and credit clause:
clause in the Constitution that ensures each state will accept the decisions of civil courts in other states.
Soft money:
Contribution to activities not part of the campaign.
Coercive Acts
Limited town meetings, suspended Mass. court, limited land claims to western land; aimed to limit colonists self-government.
Popular Sovereignty means:
Approval of the government
Requirements to be a president:
Must be a native-born citizen, 35+ years old, and been a resident of the U.S. for 14 years.
Texas v. Johnson
Upheld freedom of expression for individuals protesting against their government.
Glittering Generalities
Using words or vague statements that sound good but have little real meaning.
Magna Carta
Guaranteed free people could not be arrested, put in prison, or forced to leave their nation unless given a trial with a jury.
Fifteenth amendment says:
All citizens of the U.S. can vote, regardless of race/color.
At least five executive powers:
Enforces laws, signs/vetoes new laws, gives executive orders, commander in chief, leads foreign affairs as chief diplomat, appoints justices and federal judges, appoints cabinet members/ambassadors, gives pardons, gives state of the union address.
Initiative: a citizen starts a new law
Referendum: referring potential laws directly to people for approval
Recall: Remove an official from office by signing a petition and doing a special vote.
Lobbyists
Work at all levels of government, tend to be former politicians/lawyers/public-relations experts/journalists/specialists, present issues to Congress before they make final decisions on laws, influence the general public by making ads for mass media.