American Government Systems Study Guide
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Questions and Answers

Which form of government allows citizens to hold the supreme power?

  • Democratic (correct)
  • Oligarchic
  • Constitutional Monarchy
  • Autocratic

    • In a presidential democracy, the same individual can hold both legislative and executive positions simultaneously.

    False (B)

    What feature of a constitutional monarchy distinguishes it from an absolute monarchy?

    An elected Parliament holds the power to make and pass legislation, not the Monarch.

    A ______ is a form of government where a small group of individuals with wealth or power hold control.

    <p>Oligarchy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following government features to the appropriate form of government:

    <p>Centralized Authority = Unitary Government Separation of Powers = Presidential Democracy Limited Monarchy = Constitutional Monarchy Direct Citizen Power = Direct Democracy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Social Contract Theory suggests that governments gain their legitimacy from the consent of the governed.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a power specifically granted to Congress by the Constitution?

    <p>Set the minimum wage (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a role of the President of the United States?

    <p>Lead the Senate (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a major difference between an autocracy and a democracy?

    <p>In an autocracy, citizens have no participation in government, while in a democracy, all citizens have equal rights to participate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Electoral College system awards electoral votes based on the candidate who wins the popular vote in each state.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a principle typically associated with a parliamentary system?

    <p>The head of state is also the head of government (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The House of Representatives is responsible for approving treaties with other countries.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the Minority Whip in the House of Representatives?

    <p>The Minority Whip assists the minority party leadership in bringing party bills to the House floor, maintaining communication between the leadership and members, counting votes, and persuading members to vote for the party position.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary purpose of a nominating convention?

    <p>To formally choose a party's candidate for office, often at the state or national level.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ is the leader of the Senate, and is also the Vice President of the United States.

    <p>President of the Senate</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The 15th Amendment granted suffrage to all ______ citizens.

    <p>male</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the Amendment with its extension of suffrage:

    <p>15th Amendment = Suffrage for all male citizens 19th Amendment = Suffrage for women 23rd Amendment = Suffrage for citizens of Washington, D.C. in Presidential elections</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their corresponding definitions:

    <p>President Pro Tempore = The leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives who helps schedule legislation for debate and voting. Minority Whip = The leader of the majority party in the Senate, who helps schedule legislation for debate and voting. Speaker of the House = The leader of the Senate who presides over the Chamber and can vote to break a tie. Majority Leader = The leader of the minority party in the House of Representatives who helps ensure their party's agenda is represented and their interests are protected. House Minority Leader = The leader of the minority party in the Senate who assists the minority party leadership in bringing party bills to the House floor, maintaining communication with members, and counting votes on key legislation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The President Pro Tempore of the Senate becomes President if the Vice President is unable to fulfill their duties.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a right guaranteed by the 14th Amendment?

    <p>The right to due process of law (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Explain the concept of implied powers in the context of Congress.

    <p>Implied powers are powers that Congress is not explicitly granted in the Constitution but are necessary to fully carry out its expressed powers. For example, the power to establish immigration laws is expressed, while limiting the number of immigrants is an implied power.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The 14th Amendment extended citizenship and due process to former slaves.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the minimum number of electoral votes needed to win the Presidency?

    <p>270</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT an example of an expressed power of Congress?

    <p>Setting the annual budget (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the committees in each house of Congress?

    <p>They choose what bills to discuss and how to proceed (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Chief Justice presides over the Senate trial if the President is being impeached.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is impeachment?

    <p>A formal accusation of misconduct against a public official by the House of Representatives.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The President acts as the ______ by commanding the armed forces.

    <p>Commander in Chief</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the roles of the President with their descriptions:

    <p>Commander in Chief = Directs the nation's military forces Chief Executive = Enforces laws passed by Congress Chief Agenda Setter = Proposes legislation and sets the agenda for Congress Representative of the Nation = Acts as a symbol of national unity and represents the country internationally Chief of State = Conducts foreign policy and negotiates treaties Foreign Policy Leader = Represents the country in international affairs National Party Leader = Leads their political party and campaigns for re-election</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Secretary of Defense is responsible for foreign policy.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary responsibility of the Majority Leader in the Senate?

    <p>To manage the legislative sessions and represent their party. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the Cabinet?

    <p>The Cabinet advises the President on policy matters related to their respective departments and plays a crucial role in decision-making.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    All members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two main roles of the Majority Whip in the Senate?

    <p>The Majority Whip assists the Majority Leader in bringing party bills to the Senate floor and counting votes on key legislation.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is required for a President to be convicted and removed from office during an impeachment trial?

    <p>A two-thirds majority vote in the Senate (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    A Senator must be at least ______ years old to serve in the United States Senate.

    <p>30</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a requirement to be a Representative in the House?

    <p>Must have a law degree (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The number of Representatives from each state is determined by the state's population.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match each legislative position with its primary duty.

    <p>Majority Leader = Manages legislative sessions and represents their party. Minority Leader = Directs the activities of the minority party. Majority Whip = Assists in bringing party bills to the floor and counting votes. Minority Whip = Assists the Minority Leader in similar ways to the Majority Whip.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the difference in term length between a Representative and a Senator?

    <p>Representatives serve 2-year terms, while Senators serve 6-year terms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a right guaranteed by the 1st Amendment?

    <p>The right to bear arms (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Bill of Rights consists of the first ______ amendments to the US Constitution.

    <p>ten</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The 5th Amendment protects individuals from being tried twice for the same crime, known as double jeopardy.

    <p>True (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the 5th Amendment's protection against self-incrimination?

    <p>The 5th Amendment protects individuals from being forced to testify against themselves in a criminal trial. This is designed to prevent coercion and ensure a fair trial.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following special interest groups with their primary focus:

    <p>National Association of Home Builders = Economic group, with focus on the housing industry ACLU = Social Policy or Ideologically Based Group, advocating for civil liberties NRA = Single issue group aimed at protecting gun rights Common Cause = Public Interest Group promoting campaign finance reform</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is NOT a type of special interest group?

    <p>Government Agencies (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The ______ Amendment guarantees the right to a fair trial.

    <p>5th</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Special interest groups can only operate at the national level, not the state level.

    <p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    American Government Study Guide

    • Unitary System: Central government holds all power; may delegate some to smaller units, but retains final authority. Stronger than federal systems. Uniform policies.

    • Confederal System (Confederation): Loose alliance of independent political units (like states). Central government has limited power, focusing on issues affecting all units. Unstable, as individual units have significant autonomy.

    • Federal System: Power divided between central and smaller political units (like states). Central government handles national issues; local governments handle local ones. Balance of power favors local governments.

    • Oligarchic System: Power concentrated in a small group of wealthy or influential individuals. Citizen participation often restricted to a select few.

    • Autocratic System: Single leader holds absolute power. Citizens have no say in government operations.

    • Democratic System: Power rests with the people. Citizens participate in government through elected representatives. Equal rights for all citizens to participate.

    • Presidential Democracy: Citizens elect separate legislative and executive branches. No single person can hold both roles.

    • Parliamentary Democracy: Citizens elect legislators who, in turn, choose the executive branch from among their members (often called Prime Minister).

    • Magna Carta: Historic English document (1215) guaranteeing basic rights and limiting the power of the monarch, establishing a concept of limited government.

    • Petition of Rights (1628): Complaint sent by English Parliament to King Charles I, demanding recognition of principles like no taxation without consent, no imprisonment without cause, and no quartering of soldiers on subjects. Showed effort to limit monarchical power.

    • English Bill of Rights (1689): Guaranteed rights and liberties of the people, particularly pertaining to Parliament's power. Established William and Mary as rulers, and influenced later democratic principles.

    • Constitutional Monarchy: System of government where a monarch acts as Head of State, but the ability to make and pass laws lies with an elected parliament. Limits the power of the monarch.

    • Social Contract Theory:

      • Hypothetical or actual agreement between ruled and rulers. Defines rights and responsibilities. People empower government, in turn, government protects rights. Influenced American founding documents.

    • Thomas Hobbes, Leviathan: Emphasized that life without government is "nasty, brutish, and short." Favored a strong, centralized government (monarchy).

    • John Locke: Promoted natural rights of life, liberty, and property; governments should protect these. Advocated for limited, representative government, influenceing Jefferson's writing.

    • Charles Montesquieu: Developed the theory of separation of powers, dividing government power among legislative, executive, and judicial branches for restraint.

    • Declaration of Independence: Written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, declared American colonies independent from Great Britain. Primarily expressed social contract theory principles.

    • U.S. Constitution: The framework and foundational document of the US federal government's structure. Outlines separation of powers and establishes government functions.

    • Federalists: Promoted a stronger national government.

    • Anti-Federalists: Preferred stronger state governments. Advocated for a Bill of Rights to protect individual liberties.

    • ###Debate over Ratification:

      -The debate over the U.S. Constitution's ratification was fierce, between Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Compromises were necessary to secure passage, most notably the promise of a Bill of Rights.

    • Federal System of Government: Power divided between national and state governments. National government has specific powers; state governments have others. The Supremacy Clause states that in cases of conflict, federal law is supreme.

    • Legislative Branch: Makes laws.

      -Has powers relating to economic and defense matters. -Works through committees. -Leadership positions (Speaker of the House, Majority and Minority Leaders) direct floor activity.

    • Executive Branch: Enforces laws.

      -President acts as Commander-in-Chief of military. -Appoints heads of federal agencies (often with Senate approval), including judges. -Cabinet members advise the President.

    • Judicial Branch: Interprets laws.

      -Supreme Court exercises judicial review. -Established hierarchy of federal courts (Supreme Court, Circuit Courts of Appeal, and District Courts).

    • Checks and Balances: System of internal controls preventing any one branch of government from overriding another branch.

    • Bill of Rights: First ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution protecting fundamental rights. -Addresses freedoms such as religion, speech, assembly, press, right to bear arms, protection against unreasonable search and seizure, and others.

    • Impeachment: Process for removing officials from office; initiated by the House and tried by the Senate, requiring 2/3 vote for conviction.

    • Political Parties: Groups of people organizing to win elections, control government, and shape policies.

    • Political Action Committees (PACs): Groups formed to raise and contribute money to political campaigns.

    • Special Interest Groups: Organizations focused on specific policy issues and seeking to influence government action.

    • Grass Roots Movements: Political movements starting at the local level, involving ordinary citizens.

    • Amendments: Additions or corrections to the U.S. Constitution.

    • Electoral College:

      • Electoral college system for electing the President of the United States.

    • Duties of a Citizen:

      -Obey laws, pay taxes, serve on juries, participate in the political process, and perform public service.

    • Other Important Points: 14th Amendment defines citizenship and civil rights. Social contract theory influenced founding documents, defining a shared power agreement between the government and citizens. Political parties are vital for citizen participation in democracy.

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    American Government Study Guide PDF

    Description

    This quiz covers the various systems of government, including unitary, confederal, federal, oligarchic, autocratic, and democratic systems. Each system's characteristics and power dynamics are explored to enhance understanding. Prepare to test your knowledge on the frameworks that shape political governance.

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