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What is the main function of representatives in a Representative Democracy?
What is the main function of representatives in a Representative Democracy?
Which of the following best describes a characteristic of a Direct Democracy?
Which of the following best describes a characteristic of a Direct Democracy?
What was a key feature of the Confederal System during the Articles of Confederation?
What was a key feature of the Confederal System during the Articles of Confederation?
In which system of government does power get shared between national and state governments?
In which system of government does power get shared between national and state governments?
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What element of a unitary system can be observed in U.S. governance?
What element of a unitary system can be observed in U.S. governance?
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a Direct Democracy?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a Direct Democracy?
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What caused significant challenges in governance during the Confederal System?
What caused significant challenges in governance during the Confederal System?
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What type of democracy allows citizens to participate in their government by voting on specific issues?
What type of democracy allows citizens to participate in their government by voting on specific issues?
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What is the primary purpose of the 19th Amendment?
What is the primary purpose of the 19th Amendment?
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Which Supreme Court case established the principle of 'one person, one vote'?
Which Supreme Court case established the principle of 'one person, one vote'?
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What does gerrymandering typically involve?
What does gerrymandering typically involve?
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Which amendment prohibited poll taxes in federal elections?
Which amendment prohibited poll taxes in federal elections?
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What is the significance of the Winner-Take-All System in elections?
What is the significance of the Winner-Take-All System in elections?
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Which type of political party focuses on a specific issue?
Which type of political party focuses on a specific issue?
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What does the process of recall allow voters to do?
What does the process of recall allow voters to do?
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What are the main influences on party membership in the United States?
What are the main influences on party membership in the United States?
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What are unalienable rights considered to be?
What are unalienable rights considered to be?
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Which document emphasizes the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
Which document emphasizes the unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?
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What is the primary purpose of the social contract?
What is the primary purpose of the social contract?
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Which of the following thinkers is NOT associated with the social contract theory?
Which of the following thinkers is NOT associated with the social contract theory?
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Which of the following is NOT one of the four purposes of government?
Which of the following is NOT one of the four purposes of government?
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What system of government did the U.S. operate under from 1781 to 1789?
What system of government did the U.S. operate under from 1781 to 1789?
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What is an example of a service provided under the government's purpose of promoting the general welfare?
What is an example of a service provided under the government's purpose of promoting the general welfare?
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What event marked the beginning of the federal system in the United States?
What event marked the beginning of the federal system in the United States?
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Which event follows the Declaration of Independence in the order of major documents/events in US History?
Which event follows the Declaration of Independence in the order of major documents/events in US History?
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Which time period experienced increased federal authority, reflecting elements of a unitary system?
Which time period experienced increased federal authority, reflecting elements of a unitary system?
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What does the government do to ensure public safety?
What does the government do to ensure public safety?
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What major conflict arose due to tensions over slavery during the U.S. expansion?
What major conflict arose due to tensions over slavery during the U.S. expansion?
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What was the primary goal of the Reconstruction era after the Civil War?
What was the primary goal of the Reconstruction era after the Civil War?
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Which document established a stronger federal government after the Articles of Confederation?
Which document established a stronger federal government after the Articles of Confederation?
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What event is considered a culmination of tensions from the expansion and division period?
What event is considered a culmination of tensions from the expansion and division period?
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Which phase of U.S. political history focuses on the integration of formerly enslaved people?
Which phase of U.S. political history focuses on the integration of formerly enslaved people?
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What role does the President play as Chief Diplomat?
What role does the President play as Chief Diplomat?
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What does the War Powers Act restrict?
What does the War Powers Act restrict?
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Which amendment establishes the two-term limit for the President?
Which amendment establishes the two-term limit for the President?
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What is the primary function of executive agreements?
What is the primary function of executive agreements?
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What role does the President serve as Chief Guardian of the Economy?
What role does the President serve as Chief Guardian of the Economy?
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What is the significance of the 25th Amendment?
What is the significance of the 25th Amendment?
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What is an executive order?
What is an executive order?
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As Chief Citizen, what is the President expected to do?
As Chief Citizen, what is the President expected to do?
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What is the first step a bill undergoes before being voted on by the full chamber?
What is the first step a bill undergoes before being voted on by the full chamber?
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How does debate time differ between the House and Senate?
How does debate time differ between the House and Senate?
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What happens if both chambers approve different versions of a bill?
What happens if both chambers approve different versions of a bill?
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What can the president do with a bill once it reaches their desk?
What can the president do with a bill once it reaches their desk?
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What is a key belief of Textualists or Originalists regarding the Constitution?
What is a key belief of Textualists or Originalists regarding the Constitution?
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What type of jurisdiction allows a court to hear a case first, rather than on appeal?
What type of jurisdiction allows a court to hear a case first, rather than on appeal?
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What is one of the opponent's concerns that led to the creation of the Bill of Rights?
What is one of the opponent's concerns that led to the creation of the Bill of Rights?
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Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?
Which article of the Constitution establishes the judicial branch?
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Study Notes
American Government Unit 1 Review
- Definition of government: The governing body of a nation, state, or community.
- Limited Government: A political system where government power is restricted; protects individual freedoms prevents any one branch from becoming too powerful, promoting checks and balances.
- Popular sovereignty: Political power rests with the citizens, who hold the ultimate power; typically expressed through voting.
- Checks and Balances: A system where government powers are divided among separate branches (executive, legislative, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful; each branch has the authority to limit the others.
- Federalism: A system where power is divided between a central (national) authority and smaller political units (states or provinces). This allows each level of government to have specific responsibilities and shared powers.
- Judicial Review: The power of courts, particularly the Supreme Court, to review and determine the constitutionality of laws and government actions. It serves as a check on the legislative and executive branches.
- Separation of Powers: Dividing governmental functions among three distinct branches (executive, legislative, and judicial). Each branch holds specific roles and is able to check the other branches to ensure a balance of authority.
- Republic: A form of government where power is held by elected representatives; citizens elect their leaders who serve the interests of the citizens.
- Amendment: A formal change or addition to a legal document. In the U.S., amendments are used to adjust or clarify legal principles of constitutional provisions.
- Confederacy: A union of independent states or entities that come together for specific purposes, while retaining their individual sovereignty. Usually, the central authority is weaker than in a federal system.
- Bicameral: A legislative body with two separate chambers or houses (e.g., US Congress with House and Senate.)
- Articles of Confederation: The first constitution of the US. It established a weak central government, giving most powers to the individual states. Replaced by the US Constitution in 1789 due to issues in raising revenue and regulating commerce.
- John Locke: An influential 17th-century English philosopher known for his contributions to political theory & Enlightenment. His ideas on natural rights, social contract influenced modern democratic thought and the Constitution.
- Declaration of Independence: A document adopted in 1776 that declared the thirteen American colonies independent from British rule. It asserts that all men are created equal and have rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
American Government Unit 1 - Additional Topics
- Weaknesses of Articles of Confederation: Lack of central authority, difficulty regulating commerce.
- Successes of Articles of Confederation: Northwest Ordinance, successful diplomacy leading to Treaty of Paris.
- Connecticut Compromise: Created a bicameral legislature in the US, a compromise between the interests of larger and smaller states, resulting in House of Representatives (proportional representation), and Senate (equal representation).
- Federalists: Proponents of a strong central government; supported the ratification of the Constitution.
- Anti-Federalists: Opponents of the U.S. Constitution during the ratification debates, fearing that a strong central government would threaten individual liberties.
- Inherent Powers: Powers of the national government simply because it's a sovereign state. These powers aren't listed in Constitution, but are essential for the government to function effectively (example, controlling immigration, acquiring territory).
- Powers denied to the national government: Powers explicitly prohibited by the Constitution to prevent tyranny or protect individual rights (ex: ex post facto laws, bills of attainder).
- Reserved Powers: Powers that are not given to the federal government and are retained by the state, governed by the 10th Amendment. Examples include education, regulating local elections.
- Federalist Papers: A collection of 85 essays written to promote the ratification of the Constitution; explain principles of the constitution— key arguments in favor of the Constitution.
- Necessary and Proper Clause: Grants Congress the authority to make all laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its expressly enumerated powers (example: creation of national bank).
- Ratification: Formal approval of a proposed law or amendment; crucial in the U.S. Constitutional process. It involved public debate and negotiation between Federalists and Anti-federalists.
- Rights: Entitlements granted to individuals, protected by law, morality, or social norms. Includes civil rights and liberties guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.
- State Sovereignty: The authority of individual states to govern themselves independently, free from external interference.
- Concurrent powers: Powers that are shared by the federal and state governments (example: taxation, the power to regulate commerce).
- Supremacy Clause: Established a hierarchy of laws—constitution, federal laws, and treaties are supreme laws—in cases of conflict between federal and state laws.
- Preamble: An introductory statement of the U.S. Constitution, outlining its fundamental purposes and principles, emphasizing the goals of a more perfect union and protecting individual liberties.
- Unalienable Rights: Fundamental rights that are considered inherent and cannot be taken away or denied. Rooted in natural law, includes life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness from the Declaration of Independence.
- Social Contract: A philosophical concept; people form a society and government in exchange for protection and preservation of rights.
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Test your knowledge on the key concepts of American Government in Unit 1. This quiz covers critical topics such as limited government, popular sovereignty, checks and balances, federalism, and judicial review. Perfect for students seeking to understand the foundational principles of the U.S. government.
