Government Fall Semester Final Study Guide 2024 PDF

Government Fall Semester Final Study Guide The following information will appear on your final exam. You need to be able to define each term/answer each question, state its significance, and explain its place in the unit… basically what it is, why it is important, how it is applied. UNIT 1: MEDI...

Government Fall Semester Final Study Guide The following information will appear on your final exam. You need to be able to define each term/answer each question, state its significance, and explain its place in the unit… basically what it is, why it is important, how it is applied. UNIT 1: MEDIA LITERACY AND INTRODUCTION TO GOVERNMENT 1. What is Mass Media? Mass media refers to communication channels that reach large audiences, such as television, radio, newspapers, and the internet. It plays a central role in shaping public opinion and delivering news to the public. 2. What is Media Literacy? Why is it important? Media literacy is the ability to access, analyze, evaluate, and create media in various forms. It is important because it helps individuals critically assess information, avoid manipulation, and make informed decisions. 3. What is the difference between the Three Categories of Content? Disinformation: Deliberately false information spread with the intent to mislead. Malinformation: Information that is true but is deliberately taken out of context to mislead or harm. Misinformation: Incorrect or false information spread without malicious intent. 4. What is Fake News? How is it different from “bias” news? Fake news refers to entirely false information, often fabricated with the intent to deceive. "Bias" news, however, may present factual information but is influenced by the author’s or media outlet's subjective perspective. 5. What is “lateral reading”? Why is it important to read laterally before sharing/liking content? Lateral reading involves verifying information by checking multiple sources. It helps identify whether the content is credible before sharing, preventing the spread of misinformation. 6. How do you complete a “reverse image search”? To complete a reverse image search, you upload or paste an image into a search engine (like Google) to find where it has been used elsewhere, potentially verifying its authenticity. 7. What does it mean to “read beyond the headline”? How would you read beyond the headline? Reading beyond the headline means looking at the full content of an article to better understand the context and details. Headlines are often designed to grab attention but can be misleading. 8. Why should you be suspicious of articles that fail to provide an author? Anonymous articles are more likely to lack credibility, as readers cannot verify the author's qualifications or motivations. 9. What is “recycled news”? What is the best way to spot recycled news? Recycled news refers to content that is reused, often without new reporting or updates. The best way to spot it is to check the publication date and verify if there’s new or original information. 10. What is “satire”? Why is it important to identify satirical articles before sharing them as fact-based? Satire uses humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize or mock, often making it look like factual news. Identifying it is essential to avoid sharing misleading content as truth. 11. What is “bias”? How has social media made it harder for us to challenge our bias? Bias is a tendency to favor one perspective over another. Social media algorithms reinforce bias by showing users content that aligns with their existing views, making it harder to encounter differing perspectives. 12. What are “fact-checking” resources? Why is it important to use these resources? Fact-checking resources evaluate claims to verify accuracy. Using them is important to ensure the information is reliable and not misleading. UNIT 2: THE CONSTITUTION 13. Ideas that inspired the Constitution (from Unit 1: Foundations of Gov: Day 2): Greece/Rome: Ancient Greece (direct democracy) and Rome (Republicanism, civic virtue) influenced constitutional ideas. Enlightenment (who specifically): Philosophers like John Locke (natural rights), Montesquieu (separation of powers), and Rousseau (social contract). Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy: Model of a union of sovereign states with a central council, influencing federalism. State Constitutions: Set precedents for individual rights and separation of powers. Articles of Confederation: Created a weak central government, highlighting the need for a stronger federal system. 14. Who had the power under the Articles? Under the Articles, most power was given to individual states, with the central government being weak and lacking authority to tax or regulate commerce. 15. How was the Articles successful? The Articles helped win the Revolutionary War and established a system for creating new states. 16. How were the Articles limited? The Articles created a weak central government that couldn't address economic issues, interstate disputes, or raise funds effectively. 17. What was the importance of Shays' Rebellion? It revealed the weaknesses of the Articles and highlighted the need for a stronger central government. 18. Constitutional Convention: Who was the “father of the Constitution”? James Madison. Why did they decide to throw out the Articles? The Articles were too weak to manage the country's issues, particularly economic and interstate conflicts. Why did three refuse to sign the Constitution? Patrick Henry, George Mason, and Edmund Randolph, mainly due to lack of a Bill of Rights. 19. Constitutional compromises: 3/5ths Compromise: Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation and taxation purposes. Great Compromise: Created a bicameral legislature (House of Representatives and Senate). Electoral College: System to elect the President via electors chosen by states. 20. Completed Constitution: The Constitution created a framework for the federal government, balancing power between the states and the national government. 21. Who was missing from the convention? Women, enslaved people, Native Americans, and most working-class men were not represented. 22. Oldest/shortest written constitution: The U.S. Constitution is the oldest and shortest written constitution still in use. 23. Why is it a “living” document? The Constitution is considered a "living document" because it can be amended and interpreted to address changing societal needs. 24. Six basic principles: Popular Sovereignty: People hold the ultimate authority. Limited Government: Government powers are restricted by the Constitution. Separation of Powers: Divides government into three branches (executive, legislative, judicial). Checks and Balances: Each branch can check the powers of the other branches. Federalism: Divides power between national and state governments. Judicial Review: Courts can declare laws unconstitutional (established in Marbury v. Madison). UNIT 3: THE BRANCHES OF GOVERNMENT 25. Legislative Branch:  What did Article I do? Why was it the longest of the seven Articles? Article I established the legislative branch and outlined its powers. It is the longest due to the detailed process of lawmaking. 26. What does bicameral mean? What are the two “houses” in Congress? Bicameral means having two chambers. The two houses in Congress are the House of Representatives and the Senate. 27. House of Representatives: How many representatives does the House have? 435 members. How many representatives does California have? Why? 52, based on population. How often are House members up for election? Every two years. 28. The Senate: How many members does the Senate have? 100 senators (2 from each state). How often are members of the Senate up for election? Every 6 years, with 1/3 up for election every two years. 29. What are “expressed/enumerated” powers of Congress? Powers explicitly listed in the Constitution, such as taxation and regulating commerce. 30. What are “implied” powers of Congress? Powers not explicitly stated but necessary to carry out expressed powers (e.g., creating a national bank). 31. What is the “elastic clause”? Allows Congress to make laws "necessary and proper" to execute its powers. 32. How does a bill become a law? Why has it become harder for this to happen? A bill must pass through both houses of Congress and be signed by the President. The process has become harder due to increased partisanship. UNIT 4: PARTIES AND VOTING 33. What type of government was established by the Constitution (1787)? A federal system with a separation of powers between the national and state governments. 34. What did Washington warn against in his “Farewell Address”? Washington warned against the dangers of political parties and foreign alliances. 35. What were the first political parties? The Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party. 36. What did they disagree about? The Federalists supported a strong central government, while the Democratic-Republicans advocated for states' rights. 37. What is a political party (definition)? A political party is an organization of people with shared goals and ideas who seek to influence government policy by electing their members to public office. 38. What are their goals/purpose? To gain political power through elections, influence policy decisions, and represent the interests of their members. 39. What is a party platform, what is its purpose? A party platform is a formal set of principles and goals supported by a political party. It guides the party's policy agenda. 40. What important roles do parties play? Parties organize elections, recruit candidates, raise funds, mobilize voters, and provide policy direction. 41. What is the Two-Party system? A system in which two major political parties dominate elections and governance. 42. How is the US different from most other democratic countries? The U.S. has a two-party system, while many other democratic nations have multiple political parties. 43. What are Third parties? What roles do they play? What challenges do they face? Third parties are minor political parties that challenge the two major parties. They often face challenges like lack of funding, media attention, and ballot access. 44. What are “Single Issue, Ideological, Splinter” parties? Single-Issue Parties: Focus on one specific issue (e.g., the Green Party's focus on environmental issues). Ideological Parties: Based on a particular ideology (e.g., Libertarian Party). Splinter Parties: Break away from a major party due to disagreements (e.g., Bull Moose Party). 45. Why did the parties “realign”? Parties realign due to significant changes in the political landscape, such as shifts in demographics, major political events, or changes in societal issues. 46. What was the “New Deal Coalition”? Who made up the coalition? Why did they support Democrats? Why did the New Deal Coalition fall apart? The New Deal Coalition was a group of diverse voters (working-class, African Americans, labor unions, etc.) who supported the Democratic Party due to Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs. It fell apart in the 1960s due to shifts in civil rights and social issues. 47. What was the “New Left” and “New Right”? How did their views differ from the older, mainstream Democratic and Republican parties (at the time)? New Left: Advocated for social change, civil rights, and opposition to the Vietnam War. New Right: Focused on traditional values, limited government, and anti-communism.