US Government Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who has the most real power in the Senate?

majority/minority leaders

What does Article II of the Constitution establish?

role in executive branch consisting of president, vice president, cabinet and executive officers

What type of cases does the Supreme Court have original jurisdiction to hear?

conflicts between federal and state laws

How can a president's veto be overridden by Congress?

2/3rd vote in both houses Signup and view all the answers

Who is in charge of conducting public elections?

state and local governments Signup and view all the answers

What attempts have been made to limit the influence of lobbyists?

adopting stricter guidelines, 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act Signup and view all the answers

List the jobs of lobbyists.

provide information, testify, talk to reporters, place ads, organize campaigns Signup and view all the answers

What happened in the following cases?

Miranda vs Arizona established Miranda rights Signup and view all the answers

How long is the term of office for Senate and House of Representatives?

Senate is six years, House of Representatives is two years Signup and view all the answers

Who initiated the Boston Tea Party?

Samuel Adams Signup and view all the answers

How many justices are on the Supreme Court and who decides this number?

nine justices, decided by Congress Signup and view all the answers

Which presidents promoted New Federalism?

Richard Nixon and possibly Ronald Reagan Signup and view all the answers

How many presidents have been impeached and who were they?

Two: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton Signup and view all the answers

What are the duties of the Vice President?

succeed president in case of death, preside over Senate if tie Signup and view all the answers

Why is the assignment of opinion from a Supreme Court case important?

it's the overall decision Signup and view all the answers

When are the boundaries of legislative districts redrawn?

every 10 years Signup and view all the answers

What powers were given to Congress by the Articles of Confederation?

declare war, make peace, coin money, sign treaties Signup and view all the answers

How many federal agencies/programs were terminated during Reagan and George H.W. Bush's terms?

not specified Signup and view all the answers

List the reforms to help make voting easier.

Election Day Registration, Permanent Absentee Ballot, Early Voting Signup and view all the answers

What are three factors that influence the decisions of voters at polls?

family, social groups, education Signup and view all the answers

What are the roles of the three branches of government?

Legislative makes laws, Judicial evaluates laws, Executive carries out laws Signup and view all the answers

What are the three core values in American politics?

Liberty, equality, democracy Signup and view all the answers

Which state did not send a delegate to the Constitutional Convention?

Rhode Island Signup and view all the answers

What do the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments establish?

All of the above Signup and view all the answers

What is the difference between traditional and online political participation? Provide examples.

Traditional includes voting and protesting, online includes petitions and candidate websites Signup and view all the answers

What are the roles of the House and Senate in the impeachment of the president?

Senate is sole court for impeachment trials, House has impeachment power Signup and view all the answers

What is the Bill of Rights?

First ten amendments of the Constitution that ensure rights and liberties Signup and view all the answers

What is framing in media?

media changes public interpretation of political issues/events Signup and view all the answers

What is patronage?

the power to control appointments to office or privileges Signup and view all the answers

What is a referendum?

a general vote by the electorate on a single political question Signup and view all the answers

What is a unitary government?

centralized government with little power for lower levels Signup and view all the answers

What is a king caucus?

informal meetings of U.S. congressmen to nominate candidates Signup and view all the answers

What is the State of the Union?

Annual message delivered to Congress by the president Signup and view all the answers

What is a bill?

proposed law submitted to Congress Signup and view all the answers

What is an oligarchy?

form of government where a small group controls most decisions Signup and view all the answers

What is an autocracy?

form of government where a single individual rules Signup and view all the answers

What is lobbying?

strategy to influence legislation by pressuring government officials Signup and view all the answers

What is a constituent?

voting member of a community with power to elect Signup and view all the answers

What is a writ of habeas corpus?

court order to bring a person in custody to court Signup and view all the answers

What is a class action suit?

legal action by a group on behalf of shared interest Signup and view all the answers

What is a delegate in politics?

representative who votes according to constituents' preferences Signup and view all the answers

What is a closed primary?

primary election limited to voters enrolled in a party Signup and view all the answers

What is pork-barrel legislation?

appropriations for local projects often not needed Signup and view all the answers

What is internal mobilization?

political conflicts leading to mobilization of popular support Signup and view all the answers

What is proportional representation?

system allowing parties to gain seats based on vote percentage Signup and view all the answers

What is a conference committee?

joint committee to resolve discrepancies in legislation Signup and view all the answers

What is the Majority System?

electoral system requiring majority to win a seat Signup and view all the answers

What is a filibuster?

tactic to prevent legislative action by speaking indefinitely Signup and view all the answers

What is an open primary?

primary election where voters can choose party on the day Signup and view all the answers

What is regulated federalism?

Congress imposes legislation requiring states to meet standards Signup and view all the answers

What is political socialization?

induction into political culture and learning core beliefs Signup and view all the answers

What is apportionment?

determination of the number of House members by state population Signup and view all the answers

What is niche journalism?

news reporting targeted to a specific market segment Signup and view all the answers

What is privatization?

public services provided by private companies funded by the government Signup and view all the answers

What are delegated powers?

constitutional powers assigned to one agency exercised by another Signup and view all the answers

What is cooperative federalism?

collaborative governance between national, state, and local levels Signup and view all the answers

What is devolution?

policy to transfer program responsibility to lower governmental levels Signup and view all the answers

What is gerrymandering?

apportionment of voters to give unfair advantage Signup and view all the answers

What is priming?

preparing the public to evaluate based on specific criteria Signup and view all the answers

What is the electoral college?

electors from each state who cast ballots for president Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Senate Power Structure

Majority and minority leaders hold real power in the Senate, based on the number of representatives in each party.

Article II of the Constitution

Establishes the executive branch, including the President, Vice President, cabinet, and executive officers; executive power is vested in the President.

Supreme Court Jurisdiction

Has original jurisdiction to resolve conflicts between federal and state laws and controversies between citizens of different states.
Holds the power of judicial review, allowing it to declare actions of other branches unconstitutional.

Presidential Veto Override

Congress can override a presidential veto with a two-thirds vote from both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Election Conduct

Public elections are conducted by state and local governments.

Lobbying Regulation

Stricter guidelines have been adopted for lobbyists, including the 1995 Lobbying Disclosure Act, which expanded definitions of those required to register.

Role of Lobbyists

Lobbyists provide information to lawmakers, testify on behalf of clients, communicate with reporters, place advertisements, and organize campaigns.

Landmark Supreme Court Cases

Plessy v. Ferguson established "separate but equal."
Miranda v. Arizona led to the establishment of Miranda rights.
Brown v. Board of Education ruled that separate schools are unconstitutional.
West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette protected students from mandatory recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.

Congressional Terms

Senate members serve six-year terms while House of Representatives members serve two-year terms.

Boston Tea Party Initiator

Samuel Adams was a key figure in initiating the Boston Tea Party.

Supreme Court Justices

The Supreme Court consists of nine justices, with positions determined by Congress.

New Federalism Promoters

New Federalism was promoted by Presidents Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.

Presidential Impeachment

Two presidents have been impeached: Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton.

Vice Presidential Duties

The Vice President succeeds the President in case of death, resignation, or incapacity and presides over the Senate during ties.

Importance of Supreme Court Opinions

The assignment of opinions is crucial as it reflects the overall decision of the Court.

Legislative Districts Redistricting

Redistricting occurs every ten years.

Articles of Confederation Powers

Congress was given powers including declaring war, making peace, coining money, signing treaties, and managing trade with Native Americans.

Federal Agencies Terminated (1980s)

Significant numbers of federal agencies and programs were terminated during the presidencies of Reagan and George H.W. Bush.

Voting Easements Reforms

Election Day Registration, Permanent Absentee Ballots, and Early Voting have been introduced to improve voting access.

Voter Decision Influences

Family, social groups, and education are key factors influencing voter decisions.

Branches of Government Roles

Legislative: makes laws.
Judicial: evaluates laws.
Executive: enforces laws.

Core American Political Values

Liberty, equality, and democracy are fundamental values in American politics.

States at Constitutional Convention

Rhode Island did not send delegates to the Constitutional Convention.

Amendments 13-15

13th Amendment abolished slavery.
14th Amendment granted citizenship to all born in the U.S.
15th Amendment granted voting rights to African Americans.

Voting Participation Differences

Traditional participation includes voting and protests; online participation includes actions like online petitions.

Impeachment Roles in Congress

The Senate serves as the sole court for impeachment trials, while the House of Representatives holds the power to impeach.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution ensure various rights and liberties, including freedoms of speech and religion, protection against self-incrimination, the right to a fair trial, and states' powers.

Media Framing

Framing refers to how media shapes public interpretation and perception of political issues and events.

Patronage Definition

The power to control appointments to office and offer privileges; often tied to political support.

Referendum Definition

A general vote by the electorate on a specific political question requiring direct decision.

Unitary Government

A system where the central government has significant power, with lower levels having little autonomy.

King Caucus Context

Informal meetings where U.S. congressmen would agree on nominations for President and Vice President, termed "King Caucus."

State of the Union

An annual message from the President to Congress detailing the country's condition and proposed legislative agenda.

Bill Definition

A proposed law submitted to either the House of Representatives or the Senate for consideration.

Oligarchy Definition

A government controlled by a small group, including landowners and wealthy merchants.

Autocracy Definition

A government form ruled by a single individual.

Lobbying Strategy

Organized efforts to influence legislation by applying direct pressure on government officials.

Constituent Definition

A voting member of a community with the power to elect representatives.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A legal order requiring a detained individual to be brought before a court; protected by the Constitution.

Class Action Suit Definition

Legal action initiated by a group on behalf of individuals with shared interests.

Delegate Definition

A representative who votes according to the preferences of their constituents.

Closed Primary Definition

A primary election allowing only registered party members to participate in nominating candidates.

Pork-Barrel Legislation

Appropriations for local projects, often unnecessary, to secure electoral support in home districts.

Internal Mobilization Definition

Occurs when political conflicts lead government officials and factions to seek popular support.

Proportional Representation

An electoral system where parties gain seats in proportion to their percentage of total votes.

Conference Committee Role

A joint committee that resolves disagreements between House and Senate versions of a bill.

Majority System

An electoral system requiring a candidate to receive a majority of votes to win a seat.

Filibuster Definition

A tactic in the Senate to delay or prevent legislation by extending debate; requires a 3/5 vote to end.

Open Primary Definition

A primary election allowing voters to choose which party to enroll in on the day of the election.

Regulated Federalism

A system where Congress enforces legislation requiring states to meet national standards.

Political Socialization

The process through which individuals assimilate into political culture and learn political values.

Apportionment Definition

The process of determining how many representatives each state sends to the House of Representatives based on population.

Niche Journalism Definition

News reporting targeted at specific segments of the market or audience.

Privatization Definition

Transitioning public services to private companies, funded by the government.

Delegated Powers Definition

Powers assigned to one government agency but exercised by another with permission.

Cooperative Federalism

A collaborative approach between national, state, and local governments to address common issues.

Devolution Definition

The transfer of authority from a higher level of government to a lower one, such as from federal to state.

Gerrymandering Definition

Manipulating district boundaries to provide an unfair advantage to a particular group or party.

Priming Definition

Preparing the public to evaluate politicians or issues using specific criteria.

Electoral College Definition

A group of electors from each state who cast ballots for President and Vice President after the popular election.

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Test your knowledge on key concepts of the U.S. government with these flashcards. From the roles of the Senate leaders to the powers defined in Article II of the Constitution, this quiz covers essential topics that every student should know. Challenge yourself to remember the critical components of the executive branch and Supreme Court jurisdiction.