Final Benchmark Review PDF
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This document covers key concepts in United States government, including the forms of government, the colonial period, the constitutional convention, amendments, and the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It also touches on topics like third parties, voting, and the electoral college.
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# FINAL BENCHMARK REVIEW ## Forms and Types of government: - **Democracy** - form of government in which rule is for the people by the people. - **Constitutional government** - Where a document is in place to limit those that rule. - **Importance of a written Constitution**: It limits the power o...
# FINAL BENCHMARK REVIEW ## Forms and Types of government: - **Democracy** - form of government in which rule is for the people by the people. - **Constitutional government** - Where a document is in place to limit those that rule. - **Importance of a written Constitution**: It limits the power of government. - **Direct Democracy** - Where each citizen can vote on all governmental issues. - **Capitalism** - Major features are private property ownership and making profits. ## Colonial Period: - John Locke influenced Thomas Jefferson. - Prior to John Locke's Social Contract theory, people believed in Divine Right Theory. - Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. - The main purpose of the Declaration of Independence was to state the grievances against the King. ## Constitutional Convention: - **The Great Compromise** - Established a two house (bicameral) Legislature. - **Federalist Papers** - Written by John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison to encourage the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. ## Amendments - **Elastic Clause** - Allows Congress to interpret its powers "to make all laws which shall be necessary and proper". - **The 1st 10 Amendments** are to protect citizens rights. - **5th Amendment** - (Eminent domain) government can take private property but must offer citizens fair Market Value for their property. - **10th Amendment** - Powers not given to the Federal Government go to the States. - **14th Amendment** - Granted Citizenship to African Americans and all people born in the U.S. - **19th Amendment** - Granted women the right to vote and gave women greater opportunities to influence government. ## Articles: - **Article 5** - Amendments to the Constitution may be PROPOSED by: Two-thirds vote of both houses and two-thirds of the states asking Congress for a convention. - **Article 6** - (Supremacy Clause) when state and national laws conflict, national laws must be obeyed. ## Legislative Branch: - Members of the Senate and House of Representatives are elected directly by the people. - It takes two-thirds vote of both the House and the Senate to override a Presidential veto. - **Filibuster** - When a Senator is talking or holding the floor to prevent a vote on a bill ## Executive Branch: - To Impeach a Federal official means to accuse them of a crime. - The President can only be removed for Impeachment if voted on by two-thirds of the Senate. - **State of the Union Address** - message delivered by the President to both houses of Congress and the Nation. - **Pardon** - When a President forgives a person's crimes. (Absolute & Conditional) - **War Powers Act** - Limits the president to sending Troops into battle for 60 days without Congress declaring war. ## Judicial Branch: - **Judicial Review** - The Supreme Court has the power to declare laws unconstitutional. - Members of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President for life to be independent of Congress and voters while making decisions. - Members of the Supreme Court have to be confirmed by the Senate before they can take office. ## Miranda vs Arizona - People accused of a crime must be informed of their constitutional rights. ## Political Parties: - **Third Parties** major function has been to voice the concerns of the minorities. - **Interest groups** - citizens who organize to win elections, control government, and set policy. ## Voting/Electoral College - Our Founding Fathers wanted the Electoral College system because they didn't feel the average person could make an educated choice while voting. - In order to change the Electoral College System it would take a new Amendment to the Constitution. - If a Presidential Candidate does not get a majority vote then the election will be decided by the Senate. - The Electoral College officially elects the President and Vice President.
