Democracy
What are the differences between a direct democracy and a representative democracy?
Representative Democracy: Vote for representatives who make decisions.
Direct Democracy: Citizens directly make decisions.
What are the characteristics of the American Government under the Articles of Confederation?
Unicameral legislature, no independent executive or judicial brach, cannot regulate interstate and foreign commerce, levy taxes. Funded by requisitions from the states.
What is a federation?
Give examples different from USA
A system in which the central and regional governments share sovereignty. Each level has its own jurisdiction and responsibilities, and its power is independent from the other.
Argentina, Brasil, Mexico, Rusia, Germany, Belgium.
What is the meaning of the establishment clause?
It prohibits the government authorities from showing a preference for one set of religious beliefs over others, or for religious beliefs in general over nonreligious beliefs.
What are civil rights?
The rights of all citizens to legal, social and economic equality.
Describe the three core democratic principles
Majority rule.
Political freedom.
Political equality.
What things did the Federalists favor?
Sociodemographic characteristics of the Federalists.
Supported the adoption of the Constitution. Stronger national government.
Concentrated in cities, commercial farmers, large landholders, linked to commerce.
What is a confederation?
Give examples.
A political system in which regional governments are sovereign and the central government is created by the regional ones.
Switzerland, EU, UN
What is the meaning of the free exercise clause?
Individuals are free to choose religious beliefs and practice them as they see fit or to not practice any religion at all.
After the 15th amendment was passed, what were other forms to disenfranchise African Americans?
Jim Crow laws, literacy tests, poll taxes.
What is popular sovereignty? How does this concept relates to democracy?
The power to authoritatively allocate values is shared by all citizens.
Democracy is a form of government characterized by popular sovereignty which is dependent on the democratic principles.
What things did the Antifederalists favor?
Sociodemographic characteristics
Opposed the ratification of the Constitution and didn't want a stronger national government than what existed under the Articles.
Not related to trade, small subsistence farmers, small businessmen, artisans, mechanics.
What are checks and balances?
Give 3 examples.
Each branch is to serve as a limit on the others' powers, balancing the distribution of power.
Executive can veto a law.
Judiciary review.
Legislative vote on ratify cabinet members and appoint Justices.
Does the 1st amendment protect all forms of speech?
If the answer is no, give examples of unprotected speech.
No, libel and obscenity are not protected.
What is the grandfather clause?
Exempted people whose ancestors were entitled to vote in 1866 from the literacy test.
What is a pluralistic political system?
A system in which power is fragmented and distributed widely among diverse groups and interests
What were the differences in the two initial plans for the distribution of legislative seats? Which plan did we decide to incorporate? Why?
New Jersey Plan: Unicameral with all states represented equally
Virginia Plan: Bicameral with both houses chosen by population
Connecticut Compromise: Bicameral House and Senate
What do enumerated powers and implied powers mean?
Give 2 examples of each one.
Enumerated: specifically listed in the Constitution as belonging to the national government. Declare war, coin money, raise taxes.
Implied: powers that belong to the national government and are suggested in the Constitution's necessary and proper clause. Creating a central bank, judicial review.
Which part of the Constitution protects the right to privacy?
It is not written, but implied.
Describe the changes included on the Reconstruction Amendments and the changes made after the Civil Rights Movement.
13th prohibit slavery, 14th citizenship, 15th right to vote.
Commission on Civil Rights, prohibition of racial discrimination by businesses, employers and voting registrars. Suspending literacy tests.
What is an elitist political system?
A system in which organized, influential minorities dominate the political process
What are the first 10 amendments called?
What do the first 10 amendments add to the Constitution?
Why were they added?
Bill of Rights provides protections of individuals from the government. They provide specific protections for those accused of crimes, protected freedoms.
Help appease anti-federalist states to get 9/13 states to ratify Constitution.
Describe the three eras of federalism.
Dual federalism: federal and state governments have separate and distinct jurisdictions.
Cooperative federalism: The distinction between state and national responsibilities is unclear and share them in many areas.
New federalism: Take power from the federal government and return it to the states. Devolution.
Describe the rights of the accused and the rules that govern the criminal procedure
Individuals are protected from unreasonable searches and seizures of personal property. Due process of law. Fair trial: speedy and public trial by a jury, confront witnesses, be represented by counsel. Prohibition of cruel and unusual punishment. Exclusionary rule, Self-incrimination.
Name some contemporary social movements that push for civil rights.
What are their objectives?
Women: Me Too. Sexual harassment and assault. Increase the awareness of sexual violence.
African Americans: Black Lives Matter. Protest against police brutality and killings.