Study Guide for Midterm AAG 24-25 PDF

Study Guide for Midterm Date of Test: 1/28 Topics:​ DAY 1 -​ Terms to Know -​ Social Contract- An agreement between the people and the government, where the people give up some of their freedoms for protection from the government.​ -​ Judicial Branch- interpr...

Study Guide for Midterm Date of Test: 1/28 Topics:​ DAY 1 -​ Terms to Know -​ Social Contract- An agreement between the people and the government, where the people give up some of their freedoms for protection from the government.​ -​ Judicial Branch- interprets laws -​ Executive Branch- enforces laws -​ Legislative Branch- makes laws -​ Separation of Power - powers that are separated between the legislative, judicial, and executive branch ​ ​ Government- The system including the political authorities, in which the country operates in.​ -​ Delegate- a representative chosen to represent others usually in conferences, and conventions.​ -​ Checks and Balances- a system used in government to make sure either branch doesn’t gain too much power.​ -​ Enumerated- powers listed to the congress specifically in the constitutions ​ -​ Northwest Ordinance- law that organized the northwest territory, and set rules for creating new states -​ Amend- to fix something​ -​ Proportional representation- representation for states based on their population.​ -​ 3/5 clause- The clause stating that all slaves should counted as 3/5ths of a person for population.​ -​ Divided Powers- powers divided amongst the federal and state governments.​ -​ Necessary & Proper Clause- Gives congress the power to make laws that are necessary and proper for executing its enumerated powers.​ -​ Anti-Federalists- people who opposed the creation of a strong central government in the constitution. ​ -​ Bill of Rights- The first ten amendments added to the US constitution. ​ -​ Electoral College- a group of people chosen from each state to formally elect a president and vice president.​ -​ Democrat- A member of the democratic party, using supporting policies like social programs, diversity, lower taxes for the middle class, and civil rights. -​ Republican- A member of the republican party, usually supporting conservative approaches, limited government, and lower taxes, and roots.​ -​ Constitution- The framework for the US government, outlining its structure and laws, and how it works.​ -​ Ratified- To be legally approved​ -​ Filibuster- A tactic used in the Senate to delay or block laws, by continuously speaking, until the people vote for them to stop talking, at the price of blocking the law. -​ Pocket Veto- When the president ignores the bill for 10 days, the bill automatically dies. -​ Veto- The executive power to cancel a bill​ -​ Precedent- A decision made in previous cases that are used as an example for new ones.​ -​ Supremacy Clause- The clause that the constitution is the supreme law of the country​ -​ Popular Sovereignty- the idea that power comes from the people​ -​ Appeals- request for a higher court to review a lower court’s decision.​  -​ Judicial Review- The power of the judicial branch to review laws or government actions, and deem if they are constitutional -​ ​ - Establishment clause: The separation between church and state​ - Exclusionary rule: Evidence obtained illegally can’t be used in court.​ ​ ​ ​ DAY 2 -​ People: -​ Voltaire- french philosophist who engaged with ideas like freedom of speech, freedom to practice religion safely, and seperation church and state​ -​ Locke- An english philosopher who emphasized natural rights like: Life, Liberty, and Property, and that these were to be protected by the government.​ -​ Hobbes- An english philosopher who believed people were naturally selfish, and needed a strong central government, like a leader. ​ -​ Rousseau- A french philosopher who believed in the power from the people, for a government, introducing popular sovereignty. ​ -​ George Washington- The first US president, and leader of the continental army during the American revolution. HE is known as the father of the country.​ -​ Benjamin Franklin- A founding father, inventor, and diplomat. He helped craft the Declaration of Independence, and the constitution. ​ -​ George Mason- A founding father whoi wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, inspiring the bill of rights, he was against the constitution till it had a bill of rights for the people. ​ -​ Patrick Henry- A fiery orator who opposed British rule, famous for saying “give me liberty, or give me death!”​ -​ William Paterson- A new jersey delegate who proposed the New Jersey plan, favoring equal representation for all states in congress.​  -​ James Madison- Known as the ‘Father of the Constitution’ HE played a key role in drafting and promoting the Constitution and the Bill of RIghts. ​ -​ Roger Sherman-A founding father who proposed the Great Compromise, creating a Bicameral congress, (Senate and the house of representatives)​ -​ Joe Biden- President of the United States before Jan 2025 -​ Kamala Harris- Vice president of the United states before Jan 2025. -​ Donald Trump- president of the United States as of jan 2025 -​ JD Vance- Vice President of the United States as of jan 2025​ -​ Mike Johnson- The current speaker of the house of representatives, representing louisiana’s fourth congressional district​ -​ Chuck Schumer- The senate majority leader from New York. HE leads the senate in drafting and passing legislation.​ -​ Hakeem Jeffries- The democratic leader in the house of representatives, representing New york’s eight congressional district.​ -​ Mitch McConnell- The senate minority leader (republican) from Kentucky, known for his conservative policies.​ -​ Andy Kim- A democratic congressman representing new jersey’s 3rd congressional district. Known for Bipartisan efforts and advocating for veterans.​ -​ Cory Booker- A u US senator (Democrat) from New Jersey known for his focus on criminal justice reform and progressive policies.​ -​ Bonnie Watson Coleman- A democratic congresswoman representing new jersey’s 12 th congressional district. She is african american, and the first one to represent New JErsey in congress.​ -​ Unit 1 -​ Shays’ Rebellion- A 1786 - 1787 uprising of farmers in Massachusetts protesting high taxes, debt, and farm foreclosures, led by Daniel Shays. This eventually led to the reforming of the Articles of COnfederation, which then just made the constitution.​ -​ Framework for our government- Refers to the US constitution, WHich outlines the powers, and functions of the federal government.​ -​ Philadelphia Convention/ Constitutional Convention- A meeting in 1787 where delegates from all the states except Rhode ISland, gathered to amend the Articles of COnfederation, which led to the birth of the COnstituition.​ ​ -​ Articles of Confederation and its problems-​ No power to tax​ No executive branch to enforce laws​ States acted independently, not united​ No national army, or regulation of trade. ​ -​ Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists Arguments- ​ Federalists: Wanted a strong central government, and national bank​ Anti federalists: Wanted states to be more independent, opposing a strong central governmnet, believing it would result similar to a british monarch.​ -​ Bill of Rights- The first 10 amendments adde dto the constitution, added to protect the individual right sof the people. This is what bought the anti federalists over to agree.​ -​ Powers of National Government- ​ Declaring war​ Regulationg interstate and foreign commerce​ Collecting taxes ​ Coin money​ Establish and maintaining armed forces​ Controlling immigration​ -​ Virginia Plan- Proposed by James Madison, it introduced a concept for two houses (bicameral) with representation based on population and size.​ -​ The Great Compromise/Connecticut Plan- COmbined the Virginia plan and the new jersey plan to create a bicameral legislature, being the house of representatives, and the Senate.​  -​ New Jersey Plan- proposed by William PAtterson, saying that it should be unicameral, and that all states should have equal representation, regardless of the size and population of the state. -​ Unit 2 -​ Political Parties- groups of people with the same political ideas, work to elect candidates and influence laws. -​ Constitution- The supreme law of the US, outlining the structure of the government, powers, and the rights of citizens. -​ Democratic- supports progressive policies, social equality, and government involvement in healthcare, education, and climate change. -​ Green- Focused on environmental protection, social justice, and grassroots democracy. -​ Libertarian- Advocates for minimal government involvement, personal freedom, and free market policies -​ Republican- Supports conservative policies, limited government, free marked capitalism, and traditional values. -​ Socialist- Focuses on reducing inequality, and public ownership of resources, and government intervention in the economy​ -​ Differences between House and Senate- ​ House of representatives:​ 435 members​ Two year terms​ Based on population​ Focuses on taxes and spending bills​ ​ Senate:​ Equal representations (2 per state)​ 100 members​ Six year terms​ Focuses on treaties and confirming appointments. -​ Special Interest Groups- organizations that advocate for specific issues, or policies (Enviromental groups, unions)​ -​ Political Spectrum & characteristics of: -​ Liberal: progressive, open to change, supports government involvement in social programs -​ Conservative- Traditional, limited government, emphasizes personal responsibility -​ Moderate- Middle ground, balances liberal and conservative views  -​ Role/Purpose of Political Parties- Organize to win elecetions, represent shared value, and influence policy.​ -​ Advertising Techniques:​ BAndwagon (Everyone’s doing it! You should too!)​ Testimonial (Celebrities or experts endorse)​ Glittering Generalities (Positive, vague slogans for all)​ Name calling (critisizing opponents)​ Plain folks (Relatable, ‘just like you’ messaging)​ Fear (If you dont act, something will happen)​ ​ ​ DAY 3 -​ Unit 3 -​ What is the purpose of federalism?- BAlances power to prevent tyranny, and allows local governance, for regional needs.​ -​ Shared Powers (provide examples)- States manage education, while federal managed defense​ Taxation​ Building roads​ Enforcing laws​ -​ Federalism- a system of goverment where power is divided between a national (federal) government and state government. ​ -​ Branches of Government- Legislative, Executive, Judicial.​ -​ Checks and Balances- System where each branch can limit each other to avoid abuse of power. -​ How Legislative checks:​ Overrides vetoes (Check to executive)​ Approves appointments ( check to judicial)​ Impeaches officials (check to both) -​ How Judicial checks​ Decalres laws/executive action unconstitutional. (checks to both executive and legislative) -​ How Executive checks​ Vetoes laws( check to legislative) ​  Appoints judges(check to Judicial)​ -​ Main people in the: -​ Legislative Branch: ​ Congress (house of representatives, and senate) -​ Executive Branch:​ President​ Vice president​ Cabinet -​ Judicial Branch: ​ Supreme court justices​ Federal judges​ -​ Who has power in a representative democracy?​ The people​ -​ Jobs of Judicial Branch:​ Interprets laws, resolves disputes, ensures laws are constitutional. -​ Jobs of Legislative Branch:​ Writes, debates, and passes laws​ Controls budgets -​ Jobs of Executive Branch:​ Enforces laws​ Manages foreign policies​ Oversees military​ -​ Bill to Law Process: -​ Steps​ 1. Bill is introduced​ 2. Commitee review​ 3. Debated and voted in the house and senate​ 4. Sent to president for approval/veto​ 5. If vetoed, congress can override with ⅔ majority. -​ How can bills die?​ Rejected in committee​ Not voted on​ Vetoed without override​ ​  -​ Term Length + Requirements: -​ President: 4 years (max 2 terms), must be a US born citizen , and US resident for at least 14 years. -​ House of Representatives: 2 years, at keats 25 years old, must be a US citizen for at least 7 years, resident of represented states. -​ Senate: 6 year term, At least 30 years old, and must be an US citizen for at least 9 years, resident of represented state. -​ Supreme Court Justice (no requirements): Lifetime term​ -​ Unit 4 (For each amendment put what they are and what restrictions it has if applicable)​ - Death penalties exclude these groups of people: Developmentally disabled, Minors, Mentally ill​ -​ 1st Amendment: protects the following rights:​ Speech​ assemble,​ petition, ​ prayer, ​ Press.​ -​ 2nd Amendment: Freedom to use a gun​ -​ 3rd Amendment- prevents soldiers from being quartered in your house without your own permission. ​ -​ 4th Amendment- Prevents you from unreasonable searches and seizures. -​ 5th Amendment-prevents you from being tried for te same crime twice, practices your right to remain silent -​ 6th Amendment- provides the right to council, ​ -​ 7th Amendment- Protects your right in civil cases, ​ -​ 8th Amendment- protects from cruel and unusual punishments.​ -​ 9th Amendment- People have more rights than specifically listed, that are implied. This amendment was added for the protection of the people. ​ -​ 10th Amendment- added by anti-federalists to make sure the states have some power. This amendment was added for the protection of the states.​