System of Government
In which system of government do states, cities, and counties have the least political power?
Unitary - this is where all power is in the hands of a central government - city and state governments do not have power.
The framers of the U.S. Constitution sought to limit the powers of government separating it into three distinct branches. What are the three branches?
executive, legislative, and judicial
SEVENTH AMENDMENT
PROVIDES FOR JURY TRIALS IN CIVIL CASES
Explain Brown v. Board of Education
Supreme Court case which overturned Plessy v. Ferguson and ordered schools to be integrated
Explain Checks and Balances
This is the system of overlapping powers among judicial, executive, and legislative branches to allow each branch to oversee the actions of the others.
Which 2 systems of government DO NOT share power between the central & state governments?
Unitary and Confederation
This is the basic structure of American government where power is divided between national and state government.
federalism
A neighbor is suing the Joneses because a tree in the Joneses' yard fell on their roof during a hurricane. The neighbors want the Jones family to pay $850 to have their roof repaired. Mr. Jones requests that a jury be present to hear this case. The judge says it is not necessary since the amount of the repairs is so small. The Jones family lives in Washington D.C.
VIOLATION OF THE 7th AMENDMENT
Guarantee of right to a jury trial in civil cases in federal court
What is the Civil Rights Act of '64
law signed by LBJ which ordered desegregation of all public facilities
What are Chief Executives
In this role, the President acts at the head of the branch of government that is responsible for enforcing laws passed by Congress
How is the power divided in a federal system of government?
Between the central government and local government - share power.
Blacks were granted citizenship because of this amendment.
14th
You are in the security line at the airport. The transportation safety agent requires you to take off your coat, take off your shoes, and empty your pockets. The agent also completes a pat-down search.
NO VIOLATION
The Fourth Amendment protects against unreasonable search and seizure, but airport security procedures are reasonable deterrents to airplane hijackings.
Explain the Voting Rights Act of '65
law signed by LBJ, it outlawed literacy tests & allowed federal officials to oversee registration
What is Congress
This is the term used to generally describe the Legislative Branch of the U.S. Government (House of Representatives AND Senate)
Which type of government allows the citizens to have the greatest amount of political influence?
Democracy
What is an example of a legislative check over the judicial branch?
Congress can impeach & remove federal judges.
Amendment 1 protects what?
Freedom of Speech, Religion, to Petition the government, to peaceably assemble, and of the press.
Explain The Little Rock 9
first group of students to desegregate Central High in defiance of the governor
Explain Federal Government
This refers to the level of government responsible for printing money, funding the U.S. Armed Services, and much more
Describe "freedom of speech" in an Autocratic government.
There is no freedom of speech
What gives each branch responsibilities & prevents any branch from having too much power?
separation of powers
Carolyn is arrested for shoplifting a candy bar from a neighborhood convenience store. At trial, she is found guilty. The judge decides that the appropriate punishment is to cut off Carolyn's hands so that she will not be able to shoplift again.
VIOLATION OF THE 8th AMENDMENT
Guarantee of freedom from cruel and unusual punishment
Segregation
Separating people based upon a number of factors including Race, Gender, Socioeconomic Status, etc.
What is the House of Representatives
This is the lower house of Congress, where tax bills must originate, and where impeachment proceedings for Federal officials begin.