Civic Literacy Exam Study Gude

What are the powers of Congress?

- Declare war - Acquire and sell territory - Make laws - Tax

What are the three branches of the US government?

- Legislative Branch - Executive Branch - Judicial Branch

Plessy v.Ferguson significance

-1896 Plessy v. Ferguson- segregation legal in public places -Allows seperate but equal doctrine if provide equal service.

Which amendment has been repealed?

18th Amendment

How many amendments does the US Constitution have?

27

First Amendment

5 freedoms: speech, press, religion, assembly, petition

What is the Electoral College?

A total of 538 electors form the Electoral College. Each elector casts one vote following the general election. The candidate who gets 270 votes or more wins. The newly elected President and Vice President are then inaugurated on January 20th.

Abigail Adams letter to John Adams significance

Abigail Adams writes to her husband, John Adams, urging him and the other members of the Continental Congress not to forget about the nation's women when fighting for America's independence from Great Britain.

Tenth Amendment

Amendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to the states

How can the Constitution be changes?

Amendments

What are the first ten amendments called?

Bill of Rights

Emancipation Proclamation significance

Changed meaning of war from one about unity to one about slavery; this reduced European support for the Confederates

Bill of Rights significance

Guaranteed the civil rights of American citizens

How did the French and Indian War (1763) affect the colonists?

Disputes over subsequent frontier policy and paying the war's expenses led to colonial discontent, and ultimately to the American Revolution.

What does "full faith and credit" mean?

Each state recognizes laws of another state

How are the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate allocated

Each state sends two senators to represent their state in the United states senate , however in the House of Representatives a state 's representation is based on its population.

Mapp v. Ohio significance

Established the exclusionary rule was applicable to the states (evidence seized illegally cannot be used in court)

What was "Shays' Rebellion about?

Farmers were having their land taken away because of debt. Continental money was worthless.

Federalist Paper 51 significance

Federalist No. 51 addresses means by which appropriate checks and balances can be created in government and also advocates a separation of powers within the national government.

From where does the US government get its power?

From the people

What was the Virginia House of Burgesses?

House of Burgesses, representative assemblyin colonial Virginia, which was an outgrowth of the first elective governing body in a British overseas possession, the General Assembly of Virginia. The General Assembly was established by Gov. George Yeardley at Jamestown on July 30, 1619.

What is the process of Presidential succession?

If a president dies , resigns , or is removed from office by impeachment , the vice president succeeds to the office . Vice president , speaker of the house , president pro tempore of the Senate , Secretary of State , secretary of treasury ...

Dred Scott v.Sandford

In Dred Scott v. Sandford (argued 1856 -- decided 1857), the Supreme Court ruled that Americans of African descent, whether free or slave, were not American citizens and could not sue in federal court. The Court also ruled that Congress lacked power to ban slavery in the U.S. territories.

How are the members of the House of Representatives and the Senate chosen?

In the Senate, each state would be allowed two representatives; in the House of Representatives, the number of representatives allowed for each state would be determined by its population

What right are stated in the Declaration of Independence?

Life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness.

"Common Sense" significance

state that all men are created equal and that all people have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; urged colonists to break away from great britain

Marbury v.Maddison significance

Marbury v. Madison, 5 U.S. (1 Cranch ) 137 (1803), was a landmark U.S. Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review in the United States, meaning that American courts have the power to strike down laws and statutes that they find to violate the Constitution of the United States.

What are two holidays that honor the members of the armed forces?

Memorial Day and Veterans Day

Miranda v.Arizona significance

Miranda v. Arizona was a significant Supreme Court case that ruled that a defendant's statements to authorities are inadmissible in court unless the defendant has been informed of their right to have an attorney present during questioning and an understanding that anything they say will be held against them.

Where was the original capital of the US?

New York City : After 1972 was Philly

Declaration of Independence Significance

Officially served as final and collective break from England's imperial hold on the colonies and ultimately established 13 separate nation states in lieu of colonies.

Federalist Paper 59 significance

Perhaps the most striking part of this paper is Hamilton's admission that allowing state legislatures to control elections of senators "is an evil." He describes this evil as one that could not be avoided since to do so would exclude the states "from a place in the organization of the national government." This discussion illustrates the importance of federalism in the American system of government. The states and the union share power. They are not entirely distinct from one another, but, in certain respects, interdependent.

Where was the Constriction signed?

Philadelphia

Regents of the U.of California v.Bakke

Regents of the University of California v. Bakke is a 1978 Supreme Court case which held that a university's admissions criteria which used race as a definite and exclusive basis for an admission decision violated

Sixth Amendment

Right to a speedy and public trial

Seventh Amendment

Right to a trial by jury in civil cases

Second Amendment

Right to keep and bear arms

Articles of Confedertation significance

Significantly, The Articles of Confederation named the new nation "The United States of America." Congress was given the authority to make treaties and alliances, maintain armed forces and coin money.

"I Have a Dream Speech" (Dr.Martin Luther King) significance

The "I Have a Dream" speech had a profound impact on the civil rights movement. It helped galvanize public support and led to the passage of key legislation, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Furthermore, Dr. King's message of nonviolence and unity inspired countless individuals to join the fight for equality.

Thirteen Amendment (significance)

The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery and involuntary servitude. It also grants Congress the power to enact laws that enforce the Amendment. Ratified by the states on December 6, 1865,

Civil RIght Act of 1964 significance

The Civil Rights Act of 1964 was the most comprehensive civil rights legislation ever enacted by Congress. It contained extensive measures to dismantle Jim Crow segregation and combat racial discrimination.

Gideon v. Wainwright significance

The Court decided that there is always a right to counsel no matter whether the case is federal, state, or local; thus, an attorney must always be provided

Roe v. Wade significance

The Court ruled that abortion is guaranteed by the Constitution's implied right to privacy within the first trimester; the second and third trimesters remained subject to state laws. Therefore, this was a massive but not total success for women's right to choose

The Federalist Paper significance

The Federalist Papers are considered one of the most important sources for interpreting and understanding the original intent of the Constitution. (1) It set up a federal form of government, which listed the powers of the national government and reserved all other powers to the states.

What was the "Great Compromise"?

The Great Compromise established the United States legislature as a bicameral, or two-house law-making body.

The Northwest Ordinances (1787) significance

The Ordinance of 1784, drafted by Thomas Jefferson and passed by Congress (April 23, 1784), divided the territory into a handful of self-governing districts. It stipulated that each district could send one representative to Congress upon its attaining a population of 20,000, and it would become eligible for statehood when its population equaled that of the least-populous existing state.

What are the powers of the Supreme Court?

The Supreme Court exercises the following powers : Exercise jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors , other public ministers and consuls , and over petitions for certiorari , prohibition , mandamus , quo warranto , and habeas corpus .

The Treaty of Paris (1783) significance

The Treaty of Paris, signed in Paris by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America on September 3, 1783, officially ended the American Revolutionary War and overall state of conflict between the two countries. The treaty set the boundaries between the British Empire in North America and the United States of America, on lines "exceedingly generous" to the latter.

Virginia Declaration of Rights significance

The Virginia Declaration of Rights was drafted in 1776 to proclaim the inherent rights of men, including the right to reform or abolish "inadequate" government.

Civil Right Act of 1965 significance

The Voting Rights Act of 1965 removed barriers to black enfranchisement in the South, banning poll taxes, literacy tests, and other measures that effectively prevented African Americans from voting.

Federalist Paper 10 significance

The main point of Federalist Paper 10 is that a strong federal government can protect liberty because it guards against the dangers of control by a narrow interest. Madison also called it "faction."

What was one of the main reasons the English colonists came to the New World?

The opportunity to make money.

What is the purpose of the Preamble of the US constitution?

The purpose of the preamble is the outline the reasons behind the writing of the U.S. Constitution and the goals of the document. Although the preamble gives useful insight into the framers' intentions, the courts do not use it as a source of rights or powers that are not specifically enumerated in the body of the U.S. Constitution.

Fifteenth Amendment

The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.

Fourth Amendment

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Magna Carta Significance

The root of uniquely English respect for basic rights and liberties

What were the reasons the colonists separated from England?

They had to pay high taxes to the king. They felt that they were paying taxes to a government where they had no representation. They were also angry because the colonists were forced to let British soldiers sleep and eat in their homes.

Baker v. Carr significance

This case established the precedent that would allow federal courts to rule on the constitutionality of legislative redistricting. It set up the idea of "one man, one vote"; no singular vote should be weighted heavier than another in a democracy. This was a change from the Court's deference to the states on the issue in the past. Two years later, in Wesbury v. Sanders, this principle was applied to U.S. Congressional Districts.

Tinker v. Des Moines significance

This case was important in extending free speech rights to students in public schools, with the primary limitation being that said speech could not impede the learning environment.

Engel v. Vitale significance

This case was significant in further defining the legal limits to government involvement with religion by setting up a precedent that the Establishment Clause referred to broad government activity regarding religion not just official establishment of a state-sponsored church.

Brown v Board of Education significance

This decision overturned the Plessy "separate but equal" doctrine and began the process of dismantling segregation in the U.S. In Brown v. Board of Education II (1955), the Court charged local school authorities with the responsibility to desegregate schools "with all deliberate speed". While Brown was critical in beginning the process to end segregation, it was just the first step to a longer process carried throughout the 1960s and 1970s with the Civil Rights Movement. - This is a great example of judicial activism and ignoring stare decisis

US Constitution significance

limits the powers of government

Twenty-sixth Amendment

lowered the voting age to 18

John Locke's "Two Treatises of Government" significance

Two Treatises of Government (1689) was one of Locke's most influential works on social contract theory. He defended the claim that men are by nature free and equal, not subject to monarch rule. People have rights, such as the right to life, liberty, and property, inspiring America's revolutionaries.

Which is the supreme law of the United States?

U.S. Constitution

U.S. v. Nixon significance

While the outcome of the case was unfavorable to President Nixon, United States v. Nixon expanded the power of the presidency. This was the first time the Supreme Court acknowledged that an executive privilege exists; the decision thus resolved decades of controversy over the constitutionality of that privilege.

What is the "elastic clause"?

a statement in the U.S. Constitution (Article I, Section 8) granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers.

Mayflower Compact significance

an agreement that established the idea of self-government and majority rule. Signed by most of the men on the Mayflower, this compact was an agreement to form a political body and give it the power to enact laws for the good of the colony. It provided a model for later development of representative government. A social contract where all agreed to abide by these rules.

What is the US judicial system based on?

constitution, statutes, common law

What form does the US government have?

democracy

Gibbons Ogden v. Commerce Clause significance

established Congresses right to regulate interstate commerce.

Texas v.Johnson significance

established the right of American's to burn an American flag as a symbol of expression and stressed the importance of the First Amendment freedom of expression.

McCulloch v. Maryland significance

established the supremacy of the national government over state governments

What are the three levels of the US government?

federal, state, and local.

Eight Amendment

forbids excessive bail and cruel or unusual punishment

Nineteenth Amendment

granted women the right to vote in 1920

DC v. Heller significance

his decision established that bearing arms is not limited to militia related purposes. The possession of fire arms are, however, subject to regulation.

. What is the system of checks and balance of the US government?

it provides each of the 3 branches of government individual powers and laws to prevent surpassing any other branch becoming too powerful .

What is "common law"?

law made by judges through their decisions, not through specific statutes

What are the powers of the President?

make treaties with the approval of the Senate. veto bills and sign bills. represent our nation in talks with foreign countries. enforce the laws that Congress passes. act as Commander-in-Chief during a war. call out troops to protect our nation against an attack. make suggestions about things that should be new laws. lead his political party. entertain foreign guests. recognize foreign countries. grant pardons. nominate Cabinet members and Supreme Court Justices and other high officials. appoint ambassadors. talk directly to the people about problems. represent the best interest of all the people

What rights do the following amendments protect?

people

Nineth Amendment

peoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights significance

prevent the king from ruling absolutely,prevent the king from raising taxes by himself, let people carry guns, prevents thee king from making his own army, ensure opposition members of Parliament are free to express their views, and let people petition the king. Significance= ends absolutism (to an extent)

Fifth Amendment

prohibits government from forcing individuals to testify against themselves.

Fourteenth Amendment( significance, protection)

the Fourteenth Amendment performs the essential function of ensuring that laws in the United States protect and preserve everyone's rights equally. This is known as the equal protection doctrine.

What is the "separation and church doctrine?

the idea that government should remain neutral toward all religions and not officially recognize or favor any one religion.

What is "gerrymandering"?

the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries with the intent to create undue advantage for a party, group, or socioeconomic class within the constituency.

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier significance

was a landmark decision by the Supreme Court of the United States that held that public school curricular student newspapers that have not been established as forums for student expression are subject to a lower level of First Amendment protection than independent student expression or newspapers established (by policy or practice) as forums for student expression.