Government Chapter 2 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a Republic?

A government controlled by military leaders

A government in which citizens rule through their elected leaders (correct)

A government led by a monarch

A government without a constitution

What is Federalism?

A system where power is concentrated in one authority

A form of socialism

A system that abolishes the state government

Power is divided between a national government and several state governments (correct)

What is meant by Checks & Balances?

A system developed to prevent any one branch from dominating another

What are the three branches of government?

Legislative, Judicial, Executive Signup and view all the answers

What is the Bill of Rights?

The first ten amendments to the Constitution Signup and view all the answers

What does the 1st Amendment cover?

Freedom of religion, speech, press, peaceable assembly, and petition government Signup and view all the answers

What is the 2nd Amendment?

Right to bear arms Signup and view all the answers

What does the 3rd Amendment prohibit?

No quartering of troops Signup and view all the answers

What does the 4th Amendment protect against?

No unreasonable searches or seizures Signup and view all the answers

What protections does the 5th Amendment offer?

Right to grand jury, no double jeopardy, cannot be compelled to testify against self, due process of law, private property cannot be taken without just compensation Signup and view all the answers

What is guaranteed by the 6th Amendment?

Speedy and public trial, confront witnesses, assistance of counsel Signup and view all the answers

What does the 7th Amendment guarantee?

Trial by jury in civil cases Signup and view all the answers

What does the 8th Amendment prohibit?

No excessive bail or fines, cruel and unusual punishment Signup and view all the answers

What does the 9th Amendment state?

Just because a right is not mentioned does not mean the people do not have it Signup and view all the answers

What is stated in the 10th Amendment?

Powers not delegated to federal government nor prohibited to the states are reserved to the states or the people Signup and view all the answers

What is the Great Compromise?

A plan that offered a two-house Congress to satisfy both smaller and larger states Signup and view all the answers

What is the Virginia Plan?

Bicameral legislature with membership based on each state's population Signup and view all the answers

What is the New Jersey Plan?

Single-house congress in which each state has equal vote Signup and view all the answers

How long is the term for a Representative in Congress?

2 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length for a Senator?

6 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length for the President of the United States?

4 years Signup and view all the answers

What is the term length for a Supreme Court Justice?

Life Signup and view all the answers

How many members are in each House of Congress?

435 Signup and view all the answers

How many members are in the Senate?

100 Signup and view all the answers

What is a Law?

Standard of what determines the veracity (truth of right vs. wrong) of an action Signup and view all the answers

What does Lex Rex mean?

Law is king Signup and view all the answers

What does 'We the People' signify?

We are the government Signup and view all the answers

What are the Goals of Government as stated in the Preamble?

Establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote general welfare, secure liberty Signup and view all the answers

What does the Elastic Clause allow?

A statement in the U.S. Constitution that allows Congress to pass laws necessary and proper for carrying out its powers. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Government Structure

Republic: A government where citizens elect leaders to represent them.
Federalism: Power is shared between national and state governments.
Checks & Balances: A system designed to ensure no single branch of government becomes too powerful.
Three Branches of Government:
- Legislative: Responsible for creating laws.
- Judicial: Interprets laws and ensures justice.
- Executive: Enforces laws and implements policies.

Bill of Rights

Bill of Rights: First ten amendments aimed at safeguarding citizens' liberties and limiting government power.
1st Amendment: Protects freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
2nd Amendment: Affirms the right to bear arms.
3rd Amendment: Prohibits the quartering of troops in private homes.
4th Amendment: Guards against unreasonable searches and seizures; warrants require probable cause.
5th Amendment: Ensures rights related to legal proceedings, including grand juries and protection against self-incrimination.
6th Amendment: Guarantees a speedy and public trial with the right to confront witnesses and have legal counsel.
7th Amendment: Provides the right to a jury trial in civil cases.
8th Amendment: Prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments.
9th Amendment: Clarifies that unspecified rights still belong to the people.
10th Amendment: Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people.

Compromise and Representation

Great Compromise: Proposed by Roger Sherman, established a bicameral legislature to balance representation between smaller and larger states—equal Senate representation and population-based House of Representatives. Also included the 3/5 Compromise for counting enslaved people.
Virginia Plan: Suggested a bicameral legislature with representation based on population.
New Jersey Plan: Called for a unicameral congress with equal votes for each state.

Government Positions and Terms

Representative: Serves a term of 2 years.
Senator: Has a term of 6 years.
President: Elected for a term of 4 years.
Supreme Court Justice: Appointed for life.

Congress Structure

House of Representatives: Composed of 435 members.
Senate: Consists of 100 members.

Law and Governance

Law: Defines the standards of right and wrong; basis can be religious (Word of God) or legal (Constitution).
Lex Rex vs. Rex Lex: Principle where law is considered supreme over the monarch, emphasizing Republicanism.
"We the People": Signifies that the government derives its authority from the consent of the governed—an innovative idea for its time.

Goals of Government

Establish Justice: Creating a fair court system.
Insure Domestic Tranquility: Fostering peace within the nation.
Provide for the Common Defense: Ensuring national security through military protection.
Promote General Welfare: Focused on healthcare and public safety, including quality food and clean water.
Securing Liberty: Enhances freedom in educational and living conditions.

Elastic Clause

A provision in the Constitution that grants Congress the flexibility to pass any laws necessary to carry out its enumerated powers.

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Test your knowledge with these flashcards from Chapter 2, Section 3, covering essential concepts in government. Learn about key terms such as Republic, Federalism, and the system of Checks and Balances. Great for students looking to strengthen their understanding of governmental structures.