Politics Study Guide KEY PDF

Name_______________________________________________________ Unit 2: Politics Study Guide Explain the difference between majority and minority. Majority: Refers to the larger part or group in a comparison....

Name_______________________________________________________ Unit 2: Politics Study Guide Explain the difference between majority and minority. Majority: Refers to the larger part or group in a comparison. Minority: Refers to the smaller part or group in a comparison Why does the principle of majority rule mean that the rights of minorities may not be disregarded? Majority Rule p.26 Majority rule cannot overrule a person’s individual rights which are protected by the Constitution. How is the power of the majority limited in the United States? A. Through the system of federalism B. Through the establishment of a democracy C. Through the use of a system of representation D. Through the protection of the rights of individuals What is a state paper? What are the three papers considered America’s major state papers? State papers are documents of great achevements or moments in a country’s history. The three major US papers are the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution. Major American State What principle of government is found in all three American state papers? Papers p. 27-29 Liberty/freedom Define popular sovereignty and state sovereignty. Popular sovereignty: the people are the highest legal authority State sovereignty: the states are the highest legal authority  Name_______________________________________________________ Unit 2: Politics Study Guide Who elects the President of the United States? The Electoral College What are the three branches of government and their functions? Legislative Branch: makes laws Executive Branch: carries out laws Judicial Branch: interprets laws What is Congress? The Legislative Branch i.e. the Senate and House of Representatives Give an example of a check of power for each branch of government. Legislative Branch: impeach elected officials The Constitution p.30 Judicial Branch: declare acts of the other branches unconstitutional Executive Branch: veto bills What does it mean to be “impeached”? To be charged with misconduct “If, in the opinion of the people, the distribution or modification of the constitutional powers be in any particular wrong, let it be corrected by an amendment in the way which the Constitution designates.” George Washington Which of these statements are supported by Washington’s quote? Some parts of the Constitution cannot be changed. The Constitution should not be changed frequently. The Constitution should be amended or changed sometimes. The Constitution can be amended by conventions held in states. Name_______________________________________________________ Unit 2: Politics Study Guide On August 21, 1787 Luther Martin of Maryland wrote that the Constitution was “inconsistent with the principles of the Revolution, and dishonorable to the American character.” Why might he have made this claim? Was it credible? Explain. The Constitution and Enslavement The Constitution may be seen as inconsistent with the principles of the revolution, liberty and equality, because the original Constitution upheld slavery. Pick a principle of US government. Give a step forward and a step backward for that principle in US history. Principle: Equal protection under law Step Forward: Brown vs. Board of Education ends school segregation Our Nation’s Report Step Backward: Franklin Roosevelt uses the Alien Act to place Japanese-Americans in Card p.32-33 internment camps