Citizenship
Bill of Rights/Constitution
Articles of Confederation and the Constitution
Federalism
Terms/Other
100
Define Naturalization
the process of becoming a citizen
100
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments of the Constitution added after it's ratification.
100
What is representative democracy?
A type of government in which people elect representatives to govern them and make laws.
100
What is ratification?
Approval of something (a law, constitution, etc.) by a formal vote.
100
Summons
An order to appear in court.
200
The 14th Amendment
Declares that all persons born in the US are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection under the law.
200
What is the Constitution?
The second attempt at government by the United States proposed at the 1787 Constitutional/Philadelphia Convention, that was eventually ratified in 1788 by the original colonies.
200
What were the two plans proposed at the Philadelphia/Constitutional Convention?
The New Jersey and Virginia Plans
200
What is federalism?
A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments.
200
Jury
A group of peers who listen to evidence and give a verdict in a court case.
300
Alien
Those who work, live, or visit the US temporarily.
300
What are the first 4 amendments?
1. The Right to freedom of speech, religion, press, right to assemble and to petition the government.
2. The Right to bear arms.
3. Government cannot force you to house soldiers.
4. Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
300
What is a direct democracy?
A form of government in which all the people meet together at one place to make laws and decide what actions to take.
300
What is a government?
An authority that acts on behalf of a group of people.
300
Dictatorship
A form of government in which all power is in the hands of one person or a small group of people.
400
What is the law of soil and the law of blood?
The law of soil declares that anyone born on US soil is a citizen and the law of blood declares that anyone born to one US citizen is automatically a US citizen also.
400
What are amendments 5-10?
5. Right to life, liberty, and property.
6. Rights of persons accused of a crime.
7. Rights in civil cases
8. Protection against excessive bail, fines, and harsh punishments.
9. Other Rights kept by the people (in other words other stuff not listed).
10. Undelegated powers kept by the states and the people.
400
The Articles of Confederation were
The first Constitution of the US (1781-1788). Had a number of weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade, no control over state disputes, no ability to raise an army, etc.
400
Define federalist and anti-federalist
Federalist: A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.
Anti-federalist: Opponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.
400
Describe what separation of powers is and checks and balances in the US government.
Separation of powers: Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law.
Checks and balances: A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power.
500
Describe the process of becoming a US citizen:
Must be at least 18, a lawful permanent resident, have lived in the US for at least 5 years, be of "good moral character," and know basic English. Then:
1. Fill out application
2. Fingerprint/background check
3. Interview
4. Pass Civics and English tests
5. Take Oath of Allegiance
500
What were some of the problems with the Articles of Confederation?
I. No chief executive.
II. Congress cannot tax.
III. Cannot draft an army.
IV. No federal court system.
V. Amendments needed all states approval.
VI. Cannot collect state debt.
VII. State disputes cannot be settled.
VIII. Shay’s Rebellion
500
Describe the Virginia and New Jersey Plans and the Great Compromise between the two.
New Jersey: "small state plan," unicameral legislature, equal representation in Congress, want less power for federal government (more to states).
Virginia: "large state plan," bicameral legislature, proportional representation in Congress, want strong central government.
Great Compromise: Bicameral legislature with House based on proportional representation and Senate based on equal representation.
500
See PDF of key
500
What is the Legislative Branch and what are the two houses within it's bicameral legislature?
Legislative Branch: The lawmaking branch of the US government.
House of Representatives: The larger of the 2 houses of Congress, elected based on state population- 435 members currently.
Senate: The smaller of the two houses of Congress, 2 senators are elected in each state to represent the state for a 6 year term.