POLS 121 US Government

What barriers were erected in the south to make it all but impossible for blacks to exercise their right to vote?

white primary- restricting voting to whites only. grandfather clause- restricted voting franchise to those who could prove that their grandfathers voted before 1867. poll taxes- required payment of a fee to vote.

Explain the importance of presidential approval ratings. Why does a president want to maintain high ratings?

Presidential approval ratings- the percentage of Americans who think that the president is doing a good job in office. No recent president has been reelected with less than 50 percent approval rating. Presidential approval is shaped by factors that they have only limited control over, such as the state of economy. Every president has taken actions that were politically costly because they believe that policies were worthwhile. The president and their advisers are keenly aware of the political consequences of their actions and there is no doubt that those consequences shape both their decisions and how they explain these actions to American citizens.

According to your textbook, how have modern presidents become more powerful?

Presidents became more powerful because of the expansion of the United States and the increased size of the federal budget or bureaurcracy. President gained power from informal aspects of their office. Constitution creates opportunities for the exercise of power. Presidents gained powers from new statutory authority. Uniliaterial action- decision made without congress knowing about it.

What rights did the Civil Rights Act of 1964 guarantee? What is Title VII of the Civil Rights Act? What is its substantive importance?

1. outlaws discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex or national origin. 2. federal law that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees on the basis of sex, race, color, national origin, and religion. It generally applies to employers with 15 or more employees, including federal, state, and local governments.

Who or what is restrained by the inclusion of civil liberties in the Bill of Rights? How have civil liberties been defined over time?

Constitution provided very limited protection. National government limited to. Ratification of the 14th amendment opens the door to applying the limitations to the states.

Explain de jure segregation and de facto segregation. How has the Supreme Court ruled on the issue of de jure and de facto segregation?

De jure- relating to actions or circumstances that occur by law such as the legally enforced segregation of schools in the American South before the 1960s. De facto- relating to action or circumstances that occur outside of the law "by fact" such as segregation of schools that resulted from housing patterns and other factors rather than from laws.

Explain the president's use of executive agreement, executive order, and executive privilege

Executive agreement- an agreement between the United States and a foreign government that is less formal than a treaty and is not subject to the constitutional requirement for ratification by two-thirds of the U.S. Senate. Executive order- a rule or regulation issued by the president or administrative agencies that has the effect of law. Executive orders can implement a give administrative effect to provisions in the constitution, to treaties, and to states. Executive privilege- the right of executive officials to refuse to appear before, or to withhold information from, a legislative committee or the courts. Executive privilege is enjoyed by the president and by those executive officials accorded that right by the president.

Explain the process of presidential succession. Why was the 25th Amendment added to the Constitution? What issues is it intended to solve? How does it solve them?

It is the scheme by which a presidential vacancy is filled. If a president dies, resigns, or is removed from office by impeachment, the vice-president succeeds to the office. 25th amendment- established procedures for filling vacancies in the two top executive offices and makes provisions for situations involving presidential disability. ratified in 1967, this amendment permits the vice president to become acting president if the vice president and the president's cabinet determine that the president is disabled, and it outlines how a recuperated president can reclaim the job

What is affirmative action? How has the Supreme Court ruled regarding affirmative action and college admissions?

Programs of private and public institutions, favoring minorities and women in hiring, admissions to college and universities, in an attempt to compensate for past discrimination

What are "Jim Crow" laws? What was their intent?

State and local laws that mandated racial segregation in all public facilities in the south, many borer states, and some northern communities between 1876 and 1964. forbade interracial marriage, mandated everyone to be separate.

Describe the process in which the separate but equal doctrine was dismantled in a legal sense. What were the substantive importance of Brown v. Board of Education (1954) and the second Brown decision? Did the South resist the court's ruling? Explain.

The Supreme Court struck down the white primary in 1944, Jackie Robinson broke the color line in Major League Baseball, and president harry Truman issued an executive order integrating the US armed services in 1948. Brown vs. Board of education- rejected separate but equal doctrine followed by Brown v. board of education 2 which ordered that public schools be desegregated with all deliberate speed. These events highlight the importance of the civil rights movement.

Describe the voting rights act of 1965. How were its provisions carried out?

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, aimed to overcome legal barriers at the state and local levels that prevented African Americans from exercising their right to vote as guaranteed under the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Explain the types of vetoes and the vetoing processes

The president can veto legislation passed by congress. veto message- the president's formal explanation of a veto when legislation is returned to congress. congress can override the veto with a 2/3 roll-call vote of the members present in each house. Pocket veto- a special veto power exercised by the chief executive after a legislative body has adjourned.

What are the many roles of the president and what powers does he/she have as explained in class lecture?

The president is the 1. chief of state-Ceremonial head of government, gives president national exposure, Increases popularity which helps in dealing with congress. 2. Chief executive- enforcer of acts of congress, judgements of federal courts, treaties signed by the U.S, powers of appointment and removal, civil service- gaining government employment through a merit system, power to grant reprieves and pardons. 3. commander in chief- civilian head of the military, do not actually lead troops into battle, "football"- the brief case containing the codes necessary for a nuclear attack, does not have the power to declare war. 4. Chief diplomat- role of the president in recognizing foreign governments, making treaties, and making executive agreements. Diplomatic recognition -the president's power is to acknowledge a foreign government as legitimate. 5. Chief legislator- the role of the president in influencing the making of laws. the president helps to set the policy agenda for the nation through his state of the union message that the constitution requires him to give each year. State of the union message- an annual message to congress in which the president proposes a legislative program. the message is addressed not only to congress but to the American people and the world. Powers- appoint ambassadors, senior bureaucrats, and member of the federal judiciary. issue executive orders, veto legislation, authority to pardon people convicted of federal crimes or reduce their sentences.

What is the function of the Vice President? What powers does the office of Vice President possess?

Vice President- preside over senate proceedings. has the power to cast tie-breaking votes in the senate. Formal responsibility is to become president is the current president dies, becomes incapacitated, resigns, or is impeached. of the 45 people who have become president, 9 were Vice Presidents who became president in midterm.

Discuss the War Powers Resolution. Who has the power to declare war? What power does the president possess as civilian leader of the military? What has been the historical conflict between Congress and the president and the exercise of war powers?

War Powers Resolution- the president must consult congress within 48 hours of deploying troops into military action. Unless congress has passed a declaration of war within 60 days or has extended the 60 day time limit, the forces must be withdrawn. Paralleling the US' rising world status was the rise in presidential power and leadership. congress has the power to declare war. The president controls day-to day military operations through the Department of Defense and has the power to order troops into action without explicit congressional approval. As a way of restraining presidential power, congress created the War Powers resolution of 1973. It never faced the Supreme Court review and some scholars have argued that the resolution actually expands presidential power because it gives the president unlimited control for the first 90 days of a military operation. 90 days is more than enough time to complete a military action without the approval of congress. Now the War powers resolution forced presidents to gain congressional approval. Members of congress can also curb a president's war-making powers through budget restrictions, legislative prohibitions, and ultimately restrictions. The president is now required to report to congress any introduction of U.S forces into hostilities or imminent hostilities. The use of force must be terminated within 60 days unless congress approves of deployment. The time limit can be extended to 90 days if the president certifies that additional time is needed.

What obstacles slowed the momentum of the civil rights movement? How did these obstacles act to slow the movement?

Woolworth counter sit in

What does the Fourteenth Amendment state? Who does it apply to?

all persons born or naturalized in the US are citizens of the US and no states shall make or enforce any law that abridge the privileges or immunities of the citizens of the US, nor shall any state deprive any person of life, liberty, or property without due process of the law, nor deny any person within its jurisdiction protection of the law.

What role does the offices of the White House Staff play?

cabinet- advisory group selected by the president to aid in making decisions. cabinet presently numbers 13 department secretaries and attorney general.

What is the definition of civil rights? How are civil rights distinguished from civil liberties?

civil rights- refers to the rights of all Americans to equal treatment under the law, as provided by the fourth amendment. it concerns what the government must do to ensure equal protection and freedom from discrimination. civil liberties is about freedom and civil right is about equality. civil liberties- limitations placed on the government by the constitution and bill of rights.

What was the substantive importance of Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)? What doctrine did Plessy establish?

created separate but equal doctrine, official permitting segregation as long as black had equal facilities. separate facilities of equal quality.

Under what circumstances is school prayer constitutional and when is it not?

engel v. vitale- prayer written by the state of regents and read everyday in school violated the separation of church and state. Court states that the benedictions of prayers in a graduation ceremony led by a student representative violated the establishment clause. courts now upheld a practice of opening every session of congress with a prayer.

What are "rally events"? How do they influence the public's opinion of the president?

gathering at which people of similar political beliefs listen to speakers; most often high energy events that raise morale and support

According to your textbook, what does it mean for a president to "go public"? How successful are presidents when they utilize this strategy? What factors come into play that impact the president's rate of success? How do those factors impact the president's rate of success?

going public- a president's use of speeches and other public communications to appeal directly to citizens about the issues the president would like the House and Senate to act on. Going public is not going to help enact the president's agenda.

What is the significance of the Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857) case? What did the court conclude?

it ruled that states could not be prevented from allowing slavery. it also held that slaves were property rather than citizens, and had no legal rights. when Abraham liconln won the 1860 election, the southern states seceded from the union and formed the confederacy.

What role does the Executive Office of the President play?

it serves as a support staff to the president. it currently consists of 10 staff agencies that assist the president in carrying out major decisions. Council of economic advisors- staff agency in the executive office of the president that advises the president on measures to maintain stability in the nation's economy. Office of Management and budget- main functions are to assist the president in preparing the annual budget, to clear and coordinate all departmental agency budgets, to help set fiscal policy, and to supervise the administration of the federal budget.