American Government

1
American Government

• Final Exam Review

2
What is John Lockes theory of natural rights?

• That all men have are born with the unalienable
  rights of life, liberty, and property

3
How were the founding fathers influenced by
Charles Montesquieu?

• Montesquieu believed in separation of powers to
  prevent government from misusing their power.

4

How did the Judeo-Christian tradition, the Roman
Republic, and Greek direct democracy influence
the American political system?
Elements of each were used by the founding
fathers to create a representative democracy in
the United States.
5

According to the natural rights philosophy, what
is the main purpose of government?
To protect the individuals rights of its citizens
6

According to the Declaration of Independence,
what does the statement deriving their just
power from the consent of the governed mean?
People are the source of the governments power
7

What are the main ideas presented in the
Declaration of Independence?
People have certain natural rights, governments
can exist only with the consent of the governed,
the people have the right or duty to overthrow
the government should it violate their natural
rights.
8

How does the picture from Tiananmen Square in
June of 1989 reflect John Lockes social theory?
The people have the right to overthrow a
government if it violates mans natural rights.
9

How did the Constitution differ from the Articles
of Confederation?
Created a government with 3 branches
10
What were the weaknesses of the Articles of
Confederation?
No power to tax, 9/13 majority to pass a law,
required all states to amend
11
What was the main issue for delegates of small
states at the Constitutional Convention?
Equal representation for their states in
Congress
12
What is the system of federalism?
Division of power between a national and local
government.
13
What are delegated, reserved, and concurrent
powers? How does this relate to federalism?
Delegated powers are the powers granted to the
national government, reserved powers are those
powers granted only to the states, and concurrent
powers are those held both by the national
government and state governments.
14
What are examples of concurrent powers?
The power to tax, borrow money, law enforcement
15
What are examples of reserved powers?
Public education, driving laws, establish local
governments, marriage and divorce laws, drinking
age, conduct elections
16
Who can propose a Constitutional amendment?
Congress
17
What was the Great Compromise?
Also known as the Connecticut Compromise, it
created a bicameral legislature, representation
in the House of Representatives would be based on
state populations while the Senate would have
equal representation for each state.
18
What was the Three-Fifths Compromise?
Slaves would be counted as 3/5s of a person for
representation purposes.
19
What was the major difference between the
Federalists and Antifederalists?
Division of power between the national and state
governments
20
Why did George Washington dislike the idea of
political parties?
He felt they were too divisive and could tear the
nation apart
21
What does the Bill of Rights protect?
The individual rights of citizens
22
What are examples of delegated powers?
Power to declare war, coin money
23
How is reapportionment determined for the House
of Representatives?
A national census is taken every 10 years
24
What is Gerrymandering?
The drawing of electoral lines to favor a
political party or group
25
What is lobbying?
Process by which a representative of a group
tries to persuade members of congress to support
their ideas and influence public policy.
26
What is the purpose of an interest group?
A group of people who attempt to influence public
policy.
27
What is the main purpose of congressional
committees?
To divide the work load.
28
Who can propose a bill in Congress?
The president, senators, representatives.
29
What are the exclusive roles held by the Senate?
Approve presidential appointments, conduct an
impeachment trial of a president, approve
treaties, and raise taxes.
30
What are the exclusive roles held by the House of
Representatives?
Approve presidential appointments, impeach the
president, elect the president if the election
cannot be decided in the electoral college, the
power to initiate revenue bills.
31
What roles do members of Congress perform?
Legislator, committee member, voice of the people
they represent.
32
What is purpose of a standing committee in
relation to a bill becoming a law?
Decides whether to the bill should go before
Congress.
33
What is the purpose of a conference committee?
To work out a compromise between the house and
the senate on a bill
34
What is the main function of Congress?
Create laws
35
What actions can the president take once he
receives a bill from Congress?
Sign it, veto it, neither sign it or veto it
36
What is the presidents role as chief executive?
Enforce laws, treaties, and court orders
37
What is the presidents role as commander in
chief?
Act as the head of All military forces
38
What is the presidents role as chief diplomat?
Negotiate treaties, recognize foreign
governments, and make executive agreements
39
What is the purpose of a political partys
national convention?
Unify the party, select a presidential candidate,
and adopt a party platform
40
What is the role of the presidents cabinet?
Presidential advisory team, he chooses them and
decides how to best use his cabinet
41
What are the main arguments against the electoral
college?
A candidate can win the electoral vote but loose
the popular vote, electors may choose to vote for
someone other than their designated candidate,
the decision may ultimately come down to the
House of Representatives.
42
What ideas are expressed in the following
political cartoon?
Answer
The Constitution has changed over time and will
continue to change. It is living document that
changes with the times.
43
What steps must a candidate take in order to win
the presidency?
Win in their partys primaries, win their partys
nomination, and win the electoral college vote
44
What was the significance of the Supreme Court
case Marbury v. Madison?
It established judicial review
45
What was the significance of the Supreme Court
case McCullough v. Maryland?
It established the supremacy clause
46
What is judicial review?
Determining the constitutionality of a law by the
Supreme Court
47
How do most cases reach the U.S. Supreme Court?
Appeals process
48
What is the writ of habeas corpus?
A person cannot be punished for an act without a
trial
49
What does it mean if a person has the right to
equal protection under the law?
A person may not be treated differently or
unfairly under similar law
50
For what reason can freedom of speech be
restricted?
The time of the assembly, the location, and the
manner in which it is conducted
51
What does the due process clause guarantee?
The national government will not interfere with
your constitutional rights.
52
Why was the Bill of Rights added to the
Constitution?
To protect personal liberties against abuse by
the federal government
53
What are the positions of the Democratic
platform?
Military cutbacks if needed
54
What are the positions of the Republican
platform?
Less government spending on social programs
55
How do third parties contribute to the political
process?
Major parties adopt their ideas
56
What is the major function of political parities
in the United States?
Keep the public informed, provide candidates for
office, serve as a watchdog, get candidates
elected, control government
57
How does the media influence the public agenda?
Focuses the publics attention on specific
issues
58
What do the terms liberal and conservative mean?
Where are they on the political spectrum?
Conservative right, liberal left, U.S. very
diverse political spectrum
59
What is protected under the first amendment of
the Constitution?
Freedom of speech, press, religion
60
What is protected by the fifth amendment?
Self incrimination, you cannot be forced to
testify against yourself or anyone else.
61
What is the current stance on the death penalty
by the Supreme Court?
Legal as long as it is humane
62
What does the second amendment protect?
A citizens right to own a gun
63
What is forbidden in the fourth amendment?
Unreasonable search and seizure
64
What is guaranteed in the 6th amendment?
A fair and speedy trial by jury and adequate
defense
65
What does the 14th amendment guarantee?
Freedom and protection for all citizens under the
Constitutions
66
What was decided in the case Plessy v. Ferguson?
separate but equal clause made segregation
legal
67
Throughout American history, what rights have
women been denied?
Right to own property, educational opportunities,
suffrage.
68
How can the Constitution be changed?
Amendment process, 9th amendment, judicial
review
69
Which amendments expanded voting rights in the
U.S.?
15th, 19th, 23rd, 24th, 26th
70
What are the duties and responsibilities of
responsible citizen?
Voting is essential in a democracy in order to
have your voice heard.
71
What are the duties and responsibilities of
responsible citizen?
Vote, volunteer, serve on juries
72
How can a citizen become informed about public
issue and policies?
Read newspapers and listen to political
commentary
73
Under the system of checks and balances, which
branch can declare a law unconstitutional?
Judicial
74
How can a presidential veto be overturned?
A veto can be overridden by a 2/3s vote in
congress
75
How can the executive branch check the judicial
branch?
President appoints federal judges
76
What are the ways a constitutional amendment be
ratified?
¾ of the state legislatures vote to approve the
amendment or ¾s of the states vote for the
amendment at a national convention