Executive Branch
What is unified government?
When the President is from the same party that has the majority in both chambers of Congress
How many state laws have been struck down through the process of judicial review since 1789?
Over 1,300
In what state was the Board of Education in the case of Brown v. Board?
Kansas
What country has the strongest army in the world?
The US
Which countries are gaining technical and military insights due to Russia’s war in Ukraine?
Iran, North Korea, and China
Name 3 Presidents that had divided government at some point in their presidency.
Truman, Reagan, Bill Clinton, Biden, Trump, Obama, George W Bush, George H W Bush, Nixon, Eisenhower, Hoover, Wilson, Taft
How do federal judges get their jobs? How long do they serve for?
Nominated by the President, confirmed by simple majority vote in the Senate, and they have life tenure
What did Heller v. DC (2008) and McDonald v. Chicago (2010) decide?
That the 2nd amendment includes handguns and must be respected by state and local governments.
What country has the largest army in the world?
China
What percentage of Russia’s microelectronic and machine tool imports come from China?
90% of microelectronics and 70% of machine tools
Name 3 Presidents that were elected with less than half of the popular vote.
Trump, George W Bush, Clinton, Nixon, JFK, Truman, Wilson, Abraham Lincoln
What portion of cases originate in state courts?
Over 90%
What did Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) decide?
That anything of interstate commerce, including things regarding the national economy, can be regulated by Congress.
Which country has more nuclear-powered submarines than the rest of the world combined?
The US
What does Russia want to put into orbit?
A nuclear weapon.
If a bill has an even split vote in the Senate (50-50), what happens?
The Vice President casts a tie breaking vote
Name the 2 main limits on the power of the Judicial Branch.
It is entirely reactive, and it relies on other branches to enforce its decisions
What did Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) decide?
That all criminal defendants, even in state courts, must be provided with legal representation if they cannot afford it.
Name 3 combat operations overseas that the US worked with thousands of allied troops since the end of WWII.
War in Afghanistan, War against ISIS, War in Libya, Korean War, Vietnam War, and both Gulf Wars
Name 3 countries that Russia has been interfering in (excluding Ukraine).
US, Poland, Germany, UK, France, the Baltic 3, and several African countries including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger
What is the US equivalent to Questions Time in the UK’s parliamentary system?
There is none
Name 2 examples of when the Supreme Court has original jurisdiction.
In cases between 2 states, between the US and a state, foreign ambassadors and diplomats, over the sea/waters, and between a state and a citizen of a different state when begun by the state.
What did Mapp v. Ohio (1961) decide?
That illegally seized evidence could not be used to prosecute someone in court
What are 2 European countries that have had simulated nuclear attacks on them by Russia since 2013?
Denmark and Sweden
What is Russia promising North Korean in return for its men and missiles?
Cash, know-how, and helping to circumvent sanctions on North Korea (by transferring some technology for low-yield nuclear weapons and submarine missile-launch systems)