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American Gov unit1-4

combined flashcards for units 1-4 of online American Government

QuestionAnswer
What is treason? Declaring war against one's country, and giving aid & comfort to the enemy.
The President is considered the Head of what two entities? Head of State, and Head of Government
What is a term of office for the President of the United States? 4 years
Who directly elects the President & Vice President of the United States? The Electoral College
What are the qualifications of the President of the United States? 35 years old, a Natural Born Citizen, and 14 years a resident of the US
What is the military title of the President of the United States? Commander-in-Chief
What checks does the President have on the judicial branch? Issue a pardon or reprieve, and nominates all federal judges.
How are treaties made? The President makes all treaties, but each must be approved by the Senate by two thirds vote.
Who can the President appoint? Members of the cabinet, Federal Judges, Ambassadors, and other high offices.
Who must approve all presidential appointments? The Senate
How is the President the "Chief Diplomat?" President receives and sends all ambassadors. He also makes treaties.
What is a "special session?" Special meeting of Congress that is called by the President.
What are the three reasons the President can be impeached? Treason, Bribery, and High Crimes & Misdemeanors.
What is the highest court in the United States? The Supreme Court
Who creates all lower federal courts? Congress
Who decides the number of judges in all federal courts? Congress
How many justices are on the Supreme Court? 9
What is the title of the head of the US Supreme Court? Chief Justice
What is the term of office for all federal judges? Life
What type of cases are heard in federal courts? Issues of Federal law or territory, Constitutional questions, issues with public officials, maritime issues, international cases, and Disputes between states.
What is original jurisdiction? Jurisdiction of a federal court that would hear a case for the first time. District Courts only have original jurisdiction.
What is appellate jurisdiction? Jurisdiction of a federal court that would hear a case as an appeal. Appeals Courts only have appellate jurisdiction.
What federal court has both original and appellate jurisdiction? The Supreme Court
What are the qualification to be a federal judge? Nominated by the President, and approved by the Senate.
What is the President required to give Congress at least once a year? The State of the Union
How many individuals are elected to the Executive Branch? Two
What is a judge on the US Supreme Court called? A Justice
What are the levels of Article Three Federal Courts from top to bottom? The Supreme Court, Appeals Court, and District Court
What is the purpose of Article Four of the Constitution? Relationship of states
What is the purpose of Article Five of the Constitution? The Amending Process
What is the purpose of Article Six of the Constitution? Establishes the Supremacy of National Government
What is the purpose of Article Seven of the Constitution? The Ratification process of the Constitution
What is the meaning of the Supremacy Clause? Establishes the Constitution and federal law as the Supreme Law of the Land.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause? States must recognize the validity of the laws, acts, judicial decisions, and public records of other states.
What is extradition? Fugitives must be returned to answer for a crime if they escape the state from which the crime originated.
Who admits new states to the Union? Congress
What is the national government obligated to do for the states? Guarantee a republican form of government, and protect states from violence and invasion
How many members of Congress are required to propose a Constitutional Amendment? 2/3
How many state legislatures must request a Constitution Convention to take place? 2/3
How many states legislatures are required to ratify an amendment to the US Constitution? 3/4
How many state conventions are required to ratify an amendment to the US Constitution? 3/4
What are all public officials in the United States required to take? An oath of office to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution
What is the structure of Congress? Bicameral
What is the term of office for a member of the House of Representatives? Two Years
What are the qualifications for a member of the House of Representatives? 25 years old, a US Citizen for 7 years, and live in the state that your represent
How is representation in the House of Representatives determined per state? Population
What is the title of the head of the House of Representatives? Speaker of the House
How many members are in the House of Representatives? 435
What is the term of office for a member of the US Senate? Six Years
What are the qualifications for a member of the US Senate? 30 years old, a US Citizen for 9 years, and live in the state that your represent
How many Senators come from each state? Two
What is the title of the head of the US Senate? President of the Senate
Who is second in charge of the US Senate? President Pro Tempore
What is role of the Head of the US Senate? Break Ties
What is a Quorum? A majority of possible members within the legislature.
What privileges do members of Congress have? Members are paid, they are immune from arrest during session, and they are immune from committing slander during debate.
What are some of the financial powers of Congress? Make & Collect Taxes, Regulate Trade, Borrow Money, and Create Money
What are some of the non-financial powers of Congress? Establish Naturalization rules, Create post offices, Create lower courts, Declare War, Create army & navy, Make the rules for military, and control the District of Columbia.
What is the executive rule of the Head of the Senate? The President of the Senate is the Vice President of the United States
What is the Necessary and Proper Clause? It gives government implied powers to make laws not directly written in Constitution. It is sometimes called the Elastic Clause
What is naturalization? Procedure for making a foreigner a citizen
How many members are in Congress? 535
Which house of Congress has the sole power of impeachment? House of Representatives
Which House tries all impeachments? The Senate
Where is the Necessary and Proper Clause in the Constitution? Article One, Section Eight, Clause 18
What can Congress not suspend unless we are in time of war? Writ of Habeas Corpus
What is the Congressional restriction of passing ex post facto laws? Congress cannot make a law that punishes someone for an action before it became a crime
What is the Congressional restriction of a Bill of Attainder? A bill declaring a person or group guilty of a crime
What restriction of Congress prevents a king from existing in the United States? No Titles of Nobility
What additional restrictions to states have that differs from the restrictions of Congress? No armies or navies AND states cannot print money
What is Government? An institution through which society makes and enforces laws.
What is a State? A group of people, living in a defined territory, with a government that makes and enforces laws.
What is Sovereignty? Supreme Power within a territory.
What is a Unitary System? A system where a state has only one government.
What is a Federal System? A system with a strong national government over weak state governments.
What is a Confederation? A system with strong state governments and a weak national government.
What is a Monarchy? A government which is owned by a single individual, through heredity.
What is a Republic? A government which is owned by the people.
What is an Absolute Monarchy? A monarchy where the ruler has absolute power.
What is a Limited Monarchy? A monarch has limited or no power within the government. The monarch has a symbolic office.
What is a Theocracy? The government is defined by the religion of the state.
What is a Dictatorship? A single ruler runs a state, usually by force.
What is an Oligarchy? A government where a small group rules a country.
What is a Democracy? The citizens has the power to rule a state.
What is a Direct Democracy? All citizens have a direct vote for all laws.
What is a Representative Democracy? Citizens elect representatives to make their laws.
What is autocratic rule? Rule by one person.
What is democratic rule? Rule by all the people.
What is Force Theory? Rule by force.
What is Divine Right Theory? God or gods gave rulers the right to rule the people.
What is Natural Law Theory? Only an small, elite group should have the right to rule the country.
What is Social Contract Theory? Government is established by the people through written law.
What civilization first developed democracy? Greeks
What civilization started direct democracy? Greeks
What civilization adopted representative democracy? Romans
What did the Dark Ages, or Middle Ages, do to the development of Democracy? A period of decline for democracy.
What was the impact of the Renaissance on the development of Democracy? The concept of Democracy was reintroduced into Europe
What was the impact of the European Enlightenment on the development of democracy? Using reason, ideas about the role of government changed the face of Europe.
What were the ideas of Machiavelli? Believed in strong government that could do anything in order to maintain power.
What were the ideas of Thomas Hobbes? Believed in strong government with a king, given a mandate from God, who would rule.
What were the ideas of John Locke? Government should protect people's life, liberty and property. These are natural rights.
What were the ideas of Rousseau? Believed that the people should make their own laws for themselves.
What were the ideas of Montesquieu? Creating three separate and equal branches of government
What are the significant details of the Magna Carta? First English document to take power away from the King.
What are the significant details of the Petition of Right? Enhanced the principle of Due Process.
What are the significant details of the Habeas Corpus Act? Strengthen the right of a citizen to have the courts review the lawfulness of detentions by government authorities
What are the significant details of the English Bill of Rights? Freedom to petition and no cruel or unusual punishments
What are the significant details of the Mayflower Compact? First governing document in the New World from England.
What are the significant details of the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut? First written Constitution in the New World.
What are the significant details of the Virginia Declaration of Rights? Many of the freedoms found in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution
What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? It finalized the break from England.
Who is the author of the Declaration of Independence? Thomas Jefferson
What was necessary for the Declaration to be approved? A unanimous vote of all the colonies
Where was the Declaration of Independence written? Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
What was the date of American Independence? July 4, 1776
What were the original 13 colonies? New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia
What is the name of the representative body of ancient Rome? The Senate
What was the "Shot Heard 'Round the World?" Beginning of the American Revolution
Where was the "Shot Heard 'Round the World?" Lexington and Concord
What were the purpose and goals of the Second Continental Congress? Appoint George Washington as Commander-in-Chief, Declare independence, and establish the Articles of Confederation
What was the name of Thomas Paine's publication calling for Independence? Common Sense
What is a Military Junta? A government that is run my the military.
What is an Illiberal Democracy? A government formed by elections, but the people lack civil liberties.
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