Madelynnlaird.weebly.com



Honors US Government 2019BOYERMid-Term Review GuideChapter 2: Vocabulary and IdeasFirst Continental Congress: A gathering of delegates from 12 of the 13 colonies in which congress passed a request for the colonies to send a petition expressing grievances to King George III. Additionally, the congress also discussed raising the colonial militias and boycotting British goods. Articles of Confederation: Original document that was a product of America’s independence that instituted the first government of the newly established United States. Under the Articles of Confederation, congress was a unicameral assembly of ambassadors from each state, which represented a single vote. Congress was also able to conduct American military, economic, and political affairs. New Jersey Plan: An amendment of the Articles of Confederation and a proposal given by William Paterson of New Jersey. The New Jersey Plan consisted of…-The fundamental principle of the Articles of Confederation – one state, one vote, would be retained. -Congress would be able to regulate trade and impose taxes.-All acts of Congress would be the supreme law of the land. -Serval people would be elected by Congress to form an executive office. -The executive office would appoint a Supreme Court.Declaration of Independence: Document written by Thomas Jefferson that…-Established the legitimacy of the new nation to the colonists.-Made it possible for foreign government to recognize the United States as an independent nation.-Ensured that all people are created equal with equal rights. -Pronounced America of its freedom and independence from Britain’s rule.Virginia Plan: Proposal given by Governor Edmund Randolph. The Virginia Plan consisted of…-A bicameral legislature, with the lower camber chosen by the people and the smaller upper chamber chosen by the lower chamber from nominees selected by state legislatures. The number of representatives would be proportional to a state’s population, thus favoring the large states, including Virginia. The legislature could void any state laws. -Unspecified national executive, elected by the legislature. -National judiciary, appointed by the legislature. ***THE VIRGINIA FAVORED THE LARGER (MORE POPULATED) STATES, such as Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts.Constitution: Document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society. Great Compromise/Connecticut Compromise: Proposal given by Roger Sherman. It permitted each state to have equal representation (senators) and resolved the controversy between the small and large states. The Great Compromise (the Connecticut Compromise) consisted of…-A bicameral legislature in which the lower chamber, the House of Representatives, would be apportioned according to the number of free inhabitants in each state, plus 3/5 of the slaves. -An upper chamber, the Senate, which would have two members from each state elected by the state legislatures. Three-Fifths Compromise: Proposal given by Roger Sherman. The 3/5 Compromise was debated amongst the southern states, who wanted slaves to be counted along with free persons in determining representation in Congress, and the northern states, objected. Naturally, the Southern states contained many slaves because these states heavily relied on slavery for economic, trade, and agricultural growth and therefore, wanted the high slaves population to be represented in voting issues. Because of this debate, the future or slavery and the slave trade were unclear. However, steps were taken towards banning the slave trade but still allowing slavery. Federalist: An individual who was in favor of the adoption of the U.S Constitution and the creation of a federal union with a strong central government. Electoral college: Group of persons, called electors, that officially elect the president and the vice president of America. The electors are selected by each state and the Distinct of Columbia. Anti-federalists: An individual who opposed the ratification of the New Constitution in 1787. The Anti-Federalists were opposed to a strong central government. Bicameral: Two houses of Congress Separation of powers: The principle of dividing governmental powers around different branches of government. *How an amendment is approved: An amendment to the Constitution are approved by either…1. A 2/3 vote in each chamber of Congress2. A national convention that is called by Congress at the request of the state legislatures. 3. 3/4 of the state legislatures must approve the amendment. -Because of the competing social and economic interests, achieving approval is difficult. Additionally, the framers of the Constitution feared that a simple amendment process could lead to a tyranny of the majority, which could pass amendments to oppress disfavored individuals and groups. *3 purposes of government: Under the 3 branches of government which include the executive, the legislative, and the judicial powers of the government works coherently for Congress to pass laws, the presidents to enforce and administer laws, and the courts to interpret laws.*How the Constitution strengthened the government: The Constitution has proved to be a remarkably flexible document, adapting itself time and again to new events and concerns. By doing so, the Constitution has given Congress broad powers to carry out its duties as the nation’s legislative body. This allows Congress the power to regulate foreign and interstate commerce. *What happened at the Constitutional Convention in 1774: 12 state delegates convene in order to discuss and implement the goal of the Constitutional Convention, which was to not completely get rid of the Articles of Confederation but to increase the authority of the government without taking independence away from the citizens. *Defeats/achievements of the Articles of Confederation: In general, the only rights Congress obtained under the Articles of Confederation were those of which to declare war and conduct foreign policy. There was not nation court system, little peace and order within society, and no funds being accumulated for the militia. Congress needed the consent and approval of the states and relied on the good-will of the states. As a result, there was a weak central government that did not protect the citizens. *Unalienable rights: Natural rights instituted within the Declaration of Independence that included the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Chapter 3/4: Vocabulary, People, and IdeasSuffrage: (13th Amendment) The right to vote.Libel: A written defamation of a person's character or reputation. The defamatory statement must be observed by a third party. Slander: The public uttering of a false statement that harms the good reputation of another. The statement must be made to, or within the hearing of, someone other than the defamed party.Defamation of character: Wrongfully hurting a person’s good reputation.Due process of law: (5th Amendment) The government cannot take these rights (Life, Liberty, and Property) away from a citizen because they are unalienable rights. Poll tax: A special tax that had to be paid as a qualification for voting. The 24th Amendment to the Constitution outlawed the poll tax in national elections, and in 1966, the Supreme Court declared in unconstitutional in state elections too. Electoral college: Group of persons, called electors, that officially elect the president and the vice president of America. The electors are selected by each state and the Distinct of Columbia. Baron de Montesquieu: Political philosopher who believed in the idea of dividing government power into three branches the "separation of powers." He thought it most important to create separate branches of government with equal but different powers. That way, the government would avoid placing too much power with one individual or group of individuals.John Locke: English Philosopher who had argued that all people possess certain natural rights, including life, liberty, and the property (Two Treaties of Government 1690). Locke argued that the primary purpose of the government was to protect these rights. Lock also supported governments that were established by the people through a social contract, which was a voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules. Gibbons V Ogdon: Court case that was brought to the Supreme Court in which, Aaron Ogdon, who was licensed to operate steam-powered ferryboats between New York and New Jersey, sued Thomas Gibbons. Gibbons had obtained a license from the US government to operate boats in interstate waters but technically did not have permission from the state of New York to compete with Ogdon. As a result of the case being brought to the Supreme Court, it was ruled that…-Commerce is defined as all commercial interactions – all business dealings – including navigation and the transport of people. -INTER (state) commerce. -Commerce power of the national government could be exercised in state jurisdictions.-The power to regulate interstate commerce was an exclusive national power. -The National Government was able to exercise increasing authority over economic affairs.McCulloch V Maryland: Court case that was brought to the Supreme Court in which, the state of Maryland took James McCulloch to court. The state of Maryland imposed a tax on the Second Bank’s Baltimore bank branch in hopes of putting that branch out of business. McCulloch then refused to the pay the tax. As a result…-Chief Justice Marshall thought that if establishing a national bank aided the national government in the exercise of its designated powers, then the authority to set up such a bank could be implied.-Chief Justice Marshall also ruled that not state could use its taxing power to tax a part of the national government. Amendments:13th Amendment (1865):? Banned slavery throughout the US. 14th Amendment (1868): Granted citizenship to all people born in the US (except for native Americans).-Relates to the 5th Amendment-Both ensure that unalienable rights cannot be taken away from citizens. 23rd Amendment (1961): District of Columbia can vote. -It wasn’t officially a state until 1961 and thus were then allowed to vote (as an official state). 24th Amendment (1964): No more poll tax.-Poll tax: Tax placed on people when they voted.???? -The poor, many African Americans, formers slaves couldn’t afford to vote.-Voting outcomes were very biased. 26th Amendment (1971): Voting age is 18. Chapter 7: Vocabulary and IdeasFree-rider problem: The difficulty of that interest groups face in recruiting members when the benefits that achieve can be gained without joining the group. GOP: A nickname for the Republican party, which stands for “grand old party”.Independent: A voter or candidate who does not identify with a political party.Democratic Party: One of the two major American political parties evolving out of the Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson. It was formed in 1828. Republican Party: One of the two major American political parties. It emerged in the 1850s as an antislavery party and consisted of former northern Whigs and anti-slavery Democrats.Interest group: An organized group of individuals sharing common objectives who actively attempt to influence policymakers.Lobbyist: An organization or individual who attempts to influence the passage, defeat, or content of legislation and the government’s administrative decisions. National convention: A standing committee of a national political part established to direct and coordinate party activities between national party conventions. Party platform: A document drawn up at each national convention, outlining the policies, position, and principles of the party. Political party: A group of political activists who organize to win elections, operate the government, and determine public policy.Straight-ticket voting: Voting exclusively for the candidates or one party. Two-party system: A political system in which only two parties have a reasonable chance of writing.Jeffersonian Republicans: Northern Whig + Democratic + Anti-Slavery:*Why interest groups form: Interest groups are formed in for all sorts of different people to partake in their share of social movements. -Social movement: A movement that represents that demands of a large segment of the public for political, economic, or social change. They come together and support a common goal, to solve civic problems, establish social relationships, and work to change economic and political policies. Additionally, there are different incentives/reasons for joining interest groups, which include…-Solidary incentives: Companionship and pleasure of association with those who share similar interest. -Material incentives: Actual “rewards” one receives when they join an interest. Example: Joining AAA to earn emergency roadside assistance and trip planning. -Purposive Incentives: Pursuing political and economic goals through joint action. *The importance of polls during elections: Polls that track party identification shows increasing number of voters who identify themselves as independents. *Symbols of the Democratic Party and Republican Party: Republican Party: Elephant VS Democratic Party: Donkey *Colors that represent the Democratic Party and Republican Party: Republican Party: Red VS Democratic Party: Blue *Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995: An act passed in 1995 that…-Confirmed the technical definition of a lobbyist to “anyone who spends at least 20% of his or her time lobbying members of Congress, their staffs, or executive-branch officials.”-Require all lobbyists must register with the clerk of the House and the secretary of the Senate. -Require all lobbyists to submit semiannual reports that disclose to the general nature of the lobbying effort and sometimes, economic budgets. *outcomes of elections and pluralityChapter 8: Vocabulary and IdeasAustralian ballot: A secret ballot prepared, distributed, and tabulated by government officials at public expense. Since 1888, all states have used the Australian ballot rather than an open, public ballot.Caucus system: A meeting of party members to select candidates and propose policies.Closed primary: A type of primary in which the voter is limited to choosing candidates of the party of which he or she is a member.Direct primary: A primary election in which voters decide party nominations by voting directly for candidates.Front-runner: The presidential candidate who appears to be ahead at a given time in the primary season.General election: An election, normally held on the first Tuesday in November, that determines who will fill various elected positions.Hatch Act: An act passed in 1939 that restricted the political activities of government employees. It also prohibited a political group from spending more than $3 million in any campaign and limited individual contributions to a campaign committee to $5,000.Invisible primary: The pre-primary campaign to win supporters among elected officials, fund raisers, interest groups, and opinion leaders.Open primary: A primary in which any voters can vote in either party primary (but must vote for candidates for only one party).Superdelegate: A party leader or elected official who is given the right to vote at the party's national convention. Superdelegates are not elected at the state level.Political consultant: A paid professional hired to devise a campaign strategy and manage a campaign.Soft money: Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.Super PAC: A political organization that aggregates unlimited contributions by individuals and organizations to be spent independently of candidate committees.*Frontloading: The practice of moving presidential primary elections to the early part of the campaign to maximize the impact of these primaries on the nomination. *The rise and fall of the McCain-Feingold Act: This act was established in order to regulate the new campaign-finances practice developed since the passage of the FECA. The McCain-Feingold Act banned soft money at the federal level (but not contributions to state and local parties). It attempted to curb issue advocacy advertising but increased the sums that individuals could contribute directly to candidates. After a few years later, the act was edited to ease the act’s restrictions on issue advocacy ads when it ruled that only those ads “susceptible of no reasonable interpretation other than as an appeal to vote for or against a specific candidate.”- Soft money: Campaign contributions unregulated by federal or state law, usually given to parties and party committees to help fund general party activities.*Citizens United v. FEC court case: Today, regulations, that were established by the FECA (Federal Election Campaign Act) and the Hatch Act, are not enforced. Therefore. are no more limits on campaign contributions because of Citizens v FEC court case in 2010. This eliminated all restrictions on campaign finance. - Federal Election Campaign Act (FECA): An act that restricted the amount that could be spent on campaign advertising, limited the amount candidates could contribute to their own campaign, and required a disclosure of all contributions and expenditures over $100. *Superdelegates vs elected delegates: Superdelegates are basically shoe-ins or frontrunners for the election while the elected delegates are still trying to get their platforms known to the public. *Voting eligibility: Voting requirements: Must be at least 18 years old, must be a legal citizen of America, must have a clean criminal record, must be a registered voter (require residency). Chapter 9: Vocabulary and IdeasFilibuster: The use of the Senate’s traditions of unlimited debate as a delaying tactic to block bills or nominations. Joint committee: A legislative committee composed or members from both chambers of Congress. Appropriation bill: The passage, by Congress of a spending bill specifying the amount of authorized funds that actually will be allocated for an agency’s use.Gerrymandering: The drawing of legislative district boundary lines for the purpose of obtaining partisan advantage.President pro tempore: The senator who presides over the Senate in the absence of the vice president. Seniority system: A custom followed in both chambers of Congress specifying that the member of the majority party with the longest term of continuous service will be given preference when a committee chairperson (or a holder of some other significant post) is selected. Speaker of the House: The presiding officer in the House of Representatives. The speaker is chosen by the majority party and is the most powerful and influential member of the House. Standing committee: A permanent committee in the House of Senate that consider bills within a certain subject area. Whip: A member of Congress who aids the majority of minority leader of the House or the Senate. *Requirements of the House of Representatives: To be a member of the House of Representatives one has to be…-25 years old-US citizen for 7 years. -A legal resident of the state you represent. *Makeup of Congress: Congress = The House of Representatives + The Senate *Another name for a bill: Law *Who presides over the house: The Speaker of the House*What happens to a bill after it is approved by the House AND the Senate: Once a bill is approved by both the House of Representatives and the Senate, there can be “two versions” of the bill that contain different provisions. Then, a conference committee forms in order to write a compromise bill, which then must be approved by both chambers again. If approved by both House of Representatives and the Senate originally, then the bill is passed to the president, where it can be signed into approval, vetoed (pocket veto), or Congress can override a veto with a 2/3 majority vote in both chambers. *How Congress is involved in declaring war: Congress is able to make the final say in declaring war but the President can override if he declares it an act of emergency. *Most important power of Congress: Law-making. *Highest elected body in the US: CongressChapter 10: Vocabulary and IdeasChief diplomat: The role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and effecting executive agreements. Chief executive: The role of the president as head of the executive branch of the government. Chief legislator: The role of the president in influencing the making of laws. Chief of staff: The person who is named to direct the White House Office and advice the president. Commander in chief: The role of the president as suoreme commander if the military forces of the United States and of the state National Guard units when they are called into federal service. Emergency power: An inherent power exercised by the president during a period of national crisis. Executive agreement: An international agreement made by the president, without senatorial ratification, with the head of a foreign state.Executive order: A rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law. Executive privilege: The right of executive officials to withhold information from, or to refuse to appear before, a legislative committee or a court. Expressed power: A power of the president that is expressly written into the Constitution or into statutory law. Head of state: The role of the president as ceremonial head of the government. Impeachment: An action by the House of Representatives to accuse the president, vice president, or other civil officers of the United States of committing “Treason, Bribery, or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors.”Kitchen cabinet: The informal advisers to the president. Pardon: A release from the punishment for, or legal consequences of, a crime. A pardon can be granted by the president before or after a conviction. Patronage: The practice of rewarding faithful party workers and followers with government employment and contracts. Reprieve: A formal postponement of the execution of a sentence imposed by a court of law. Office of Management and Budget (OMB): A division of the Executive Office of the President. The OMB assists the president in preparing the annual budget, clearing and coordinating departmental agency budgets, and supervising the administration of the federal budget. *The requirements to become president: The President must be…-any natural born citizen OR citizen of the US (parents can be born in the US) -35 years old?-a resident of the US for 14 years?*Popular vote versus electoral vote: The popular vote represents all the votes casted by the American people but those votes are then sent to electors, which consists of the electoral college. The electoral college is a group of persons, called electors, that officially elect the president and the vice president of America. The electoral college, and therefore the electoral vote, depend on a state population. Victory then goes to the candidate with a majority in the electoral college. However, a presidential candidate can win the popular vote and still loose the election.*The difference between reprieves and pardons: Pardon is a release from the punishment for, or legal consequences of, a crime. A pardon can be granted by the president before or after a conviction. Meanwhile, a reprieve is a formal postponement of the execution of a sentence imposed by a court of law. *Examples of wartime powers exercised in the past:-George W. Bush (second) order troops into Afghanistan in retaliation of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. *How to propose and ratify a treaty: Under the title of Chief Diplomat, the president has the power negotiate treaties with other nations. In order to gain approval or ratification, the treaty proposal must be sent to the Senate and receive a 2/3 vote. Then, the president can be approved the treaty as adopted by the Senate. This process can become more difficult whenever the Senate has added substantive amendments or reservations to a treaty (particularly when there such changes that require reopening negotiations with the other foreign government. *The seven titles of the president: Head of State, Chief Executive, Commander in Chief, Chief Diplomat, Chief Legislator, Party Chief/Politian. *Party Chief: Leader of the political party he/she represents. * The five presidential powers: Constitutional Powers: Most of the powers discussed yesterday under the roles of the president because the basis of these powers lies in the Constitution.Statutory Powers: the ability to declare national emergencies enacted by Congress. Expressed Powers: both constitutional and statutory powers because they are very obviously written into law. Inherent Powers: power of the president based off the wording in the Constitution Emergency Powers: An inherent power to be used only in times of national crisis ***NOT MENTIONED IN THE CONSTITUTION ANYWHERE *Executive order versus executive privilege: Executive order is a rule or regulation issued by the president that has the effect of law. Executive Order can enforce legislative statues, enforce the Constitution or treaties with foreign nations, and establish or modify rules and practices of executive administrative agencies. The president’s executive order represents the president’s legislative power. Executive privilege is the right of executive officials to withhold information from, or to refuse to appear before, a legislative committee or a court. The president utilizes executive privilege in order to avoid disclosing information to Congress about the actions of the executive branch. Executive privilege rests on the assumption that a certain degree of secrecy is essential to national security.*The importance of a “kitchen” cabinet and where it originated: A president’s kitchen cabinet is an informal group of advisers that are usually friends with whom to the president worked with in the past. The “kitchen” cabinet originated in 1935 when president Andrew Jackson would organize to meet with his advisors in the White House kitchen.*The first five positions/names in the line of succession to President Trump:-Vice President: Mike Pence-Speaker of the House of Representatives: Nancy Pelosi-Senate President Pro Tempore: Chuck Grassley -Secretary of State: Mike Pompeo-Secretary of the Treasury: Steven Mnuchin *Nancy Pelosi: Democrat and current Speaker of the House of Representatives. *Who was the only Catholic President? JFK Extended Response Ideas: You will see TWO of these on your exam. 4. What characteristics do you think voters look for when choosing a president? Might these characteristics change as a result of changes in the political environment and the specific problems facing the nation?Voters looks for presidential candidates who represent the political party to which they belong, support the same causes, her their voice, fund the similar programs, and strive to works towards fixing certain principles. Voters want a presidential candidate in office who will support the improvements and changes within the country they want to see. However, voters also want a presidential candidate to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully as a person. If you believe voters almost always look for the same characteristics, why do they do so? If voters seek somewhat different people as president, which circumstances favor which kinds of leaders? ................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download