Foundations of American Democracy
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments of the Constitution, added to protect people's rights.
Name the 3 branches of government and their role
Legislative- Makes laws
Executive- Enforces laws
Judicial- Interpret laws
Vote by the people or constituents is called what?
Popular Vote
13th Amendment did what?
abolished slavery
Who declares war?
Congress
Name three principles that support the ideas of our government.
S.o.P, Federalism, Checks and Balances, Republicanism, Pop. Sov.
Name at least 5 articles and their functions.
1. Leg.
2. Exec.
3. Jud.
4. Federalism
5. Amendments
6. Constitution Supreme Law of the Land
7. Ratification Process
The election of the president is based on what?
Winner of the electoral college
14th Amendment did what?
Defines citizenship, guaranteeing that all persons born or naturalized in the U.S. are citizens (including former slaves) and entitled to equal protection and due process of law
Which individual proposed the idea of the social contract?
John Locke
What article establishes that the Constitution and federal laws are supreme? What is the nickname of the article?
Article 6 (VI) Supremacy Clause
Explain the difference bewteen the free exercise clause and the establishment clause.
F.E.: allows for people to exercise their right to freedom of religion
E.C.: Prevents the U.S. government from establishing a national religion.
The requirement for a majority vote in the electoral college favors a ________ party system.
Two
15th and 19th Amendment are responsible for what changes?
15th- right to vote could not be denied based on race
19th- Women's Suffrage
Describe the Law of Blood
Someone's citizenship is determined by their parents citizenship
Describe the beliefs of Federalist and Antifederalists
AF- Feared to strong of a central governement, wanted the B.o.R. to be added to the Constitution
Explain how the structure of Articles I, II, and III reflects the principle of separation of powers.
Articles I, II, and III separate power by assigning different responsibilities to each branch. Article I gives lawmaking power to Congress, Article II gives enforcement power to the President, and Article III gives interpretive power to the courts.
Name the main purpose of a political action committee (PAC)
to raise money for candidates who support similar views
Which amendment set term limits for the presidency? Who was the president before the amendment was passed?
22nd, FDR
How many supreme court justices are there? Who appoints them and who approves or denies their position?
9, Pres., Senate
The Great Compromise Consisted of what two plans, (Describe each plan in detail). What was the result of the Great Compromise
NJ- Equal Representation
Virginia- Representation based on pop.
Result- Bicameral Legislation ( Congress - H.o.R. and Senate)
What is the main duty of the Supreme Court? Name two ways of interpreting laws. (Do not say that they interpret laws/ what are they interpreting the laws based on? )
Determine the Constitutionality of Laws, Judicial Activism ( Living ) / Judicial Restraint ( Originalism )
Desccribe the political spectrum and give examples of what each party represents. What was was the great switch and how did it affect political elections?
L <-----> Conservative
Great Switch represents the geographical and political switch bewtween the northern and southern regions of the United States...etc.
Name an example of a right, a duty, and a responsibility.
Right: Apply only to U.S. Citizens, Running for federal office, voting, serving on a jury
Resposibility: Something that is encouraged for citizens to do, Politically active, Running for office, voting
Duty: Required of citizens, Obey laws, pay taxes, jury duty if you're selected, selective service (draft)
Describe each type of gov't.
Monarchy, Autocracy, Oligarchy, Rep. Democracy, Direct Democracy, Theocracy
M- A form of government with a sovereign head of state such as a King or Queen
A-One person has complete power/control over the government.
O-Ruled by the rich and powerful, typically a small group of people.
R.P.-The people elect officials to govern in their place.
D.D.- The people vote on and make the laws themselves.
T- Religious leaders rule in the name of a God/deity