Legislative Branch
What is the Rule of Law?
the principle that all people and institutions are subject to and accountable to law that is fairly applied and enforced; the principle of government by law.
What was the main issue with the Articles of Confederation? Was it created by the Federalists or Anti-Federalists?
Not enough power to the federal government
Anti- Federalists
What key term represents the ability of the Court to declare a Legislative or Executive act in violation of the Constitution
Judicial Review
What are our natural rights listed in the Declaration of Independence?
Life, liberty and pursuit of happiness
Define social contract theory and give an example of how the U.S. is an example of one.
a perceived agreement among the people of a state about the rules that will define their government
Answers will vary - Any examples of U.S. citizens following laws
What is the main function of the legislative branch?
To make/pass laws
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
Anti-Federalists believed the Constitution did not protect their individual liberties. They wanted more safeguards against the federal government.
How did Plessy v. Ferguson shape African American Civil Rights under the 14th amendment?
Equal but separate accommodations for whites and blacks imposed by Louisiana do not violate the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment
What is the law of soil?
that a person's nationality at birth is determined by the territory within which he or she was born.
What is naturalization?
the process to become a U.S. citizen if you were born outside of the United States.
Name three differences between the House of Reps and the Senate
Answers will vary - House: 2 year terms, 'lower house', Speaker of the House, 435 members (apportionment), closer with constituents
Senate: 6 year terms, 'upper house', President of the Senate (VP of U.S.), 100 members, 2 per state, protects against 'fickleness' and passions of HoR
Put the steps of the nomination process in the correct order: General election, primary election, nomination, primary debates, National Convention
Nomination, primary debates, primary election, National Convention, and General election
Name three ways a case can be heard by the Supreme Court.
On appeal, Original jurisdiction, writ of certiorari
What is the law of blood?
A citizenship law stating that all or nearly all persons born to citizens of a given state are themselves citizen of that state, regardless of where they were born.
Explain how gerrymandering can effect results of an election.
Gerrymandering, in other words, is the practice of setting boundaries of electoral districts to favor specific political interests within legislative bodies, often resulting in districts with convoluted, winding boundaries rather than compact areas. Possibly resulting in wasted votes.
What are bills of appropriation? Are they made by the House of Representatives or the Senate?
Supply/spending bills - authorizes government spending
House of Representatives
What is the difference between reserved powers, concurrent powers and enumerated powers.
Reserved powers - State powers only
Concurrent powers - shared between state and federal government
Enumerated powers - Exclusively for the federal government
Explain McCullough v. Maryland and how it effected the Necessary and Proper clause?
Marshall redefined “necessary” to mean “appropriate and legitimate,” covering all methods for furthering objectives covered by the enumerated powers.
Essentially, federal government > state government - The state of Maryland could not tax a federal bank. The bank is considered N & P for carrying out the enumerated power of Regulating Commerce
What is the difference between civil liberties and civil rights? Name an example of each.
Civil liberties are protections from the government, while civil rights are actions by the government to make these protections available for all.
Examples will vary: 1st amendment (Liberties), Civil Rights Act of 1965 (Rights)
What is political efficacy? How can it effect voter turnout?
the citizens' trust in their ability to change the government and belief that they can understand and influence political affairs.
Lower political efficacy = Lower voter turnout
Explain the relationship between interest groups, PACs and lobbyists.
Interest group: a group of people that seeks to influence public policy on the basis of a particular common interest or concern.
PAC: Political branch of special interest groups
Lobbyists: an individual paid by PACs (most of the time) to influence legislation/Congressman
Are conducting elections a reserved, concurrent or enumerated power?
Reserved power
Explain Marbury v. Madison
Marbury petitioned the Supreme Court to compel the new Secretary of State, James Madison, to deliver the documents. Marbury, petitioned for a writ of mandamus compelling the delivery of the commissions.
The Supreme Court found Madison constitutional due to the change of Presidency
Name 5 individual freedoms protected within the 14th amendment.
Answers will vary: Due Process, Equal Protection from Laws, natural (inalienable) rights, speech, press, assembly, petition, free exercise, establishment, bear arms, no unreasonable search and seizures, no cruel and unusual punishment
Explain our system of checks and balances, how each branch is checked by the others.
Executive: Leg. can impeach and override veto, Jud. can declare acts unconstitutional
Legislative: Exec. can veto laws, Jud. can declare laws unconstitutional
Judicial: Exec. nominates judges, Leg. confirms judicial appointments and can impeach judges