12th Grade Government Midterm Review

How to Become a Citizen

1. Born in the U.S. 2. Born outside of the U.S. with parents who are both U.S. citizens 3. Take the citizenship test

Virginia Plan

A plan to have 2 houses of Congress, both of which would have representation based on population benefiting the larger states.

New Jersey Plan

A plan to have a unicameral legislature for which representation would be equal for each state benefiting the smaller states.

Federal system of government

A system of government in which BOTH the central and state governments hold power

Unitary system of government

A system of government in which the central government holds power

Confederate system of government

A system of government in which the state governments hold power

Why do we have two houses of Congress?

Because the framers of the Constitution made a compromise between the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan.

4 basic concepts in the Constitution

Capitalism, Optimism, Stability, Change

Shays's Rebellion

Daniel Shays was a farmer and veteran of the American Revolution living in Massachusetts. The Massachusetts state government was taxing veteran farmers and threatening to take their land and they were all in debt. Shays and many other veteran farmers came together to rebel. This event highlighted the disorganization under the Articles of Confederation as taxes were a mess and the rebellion was difficult to put down.

Reasons for low voter turnout

Many reasons such as not caring, not being informed, not being able to make it, not being registered to vote, not liking any of the candidates

Expressed Powers

Powers that are directly stated in the Constitution. For example, setting tax rates, regulating interstate commerce, and declaring war.

Inherent Powers

Powers that are given to all national governments and are necessary for the government to function. For example, regulating immigration.

Implied Powers

Powers that are not obviously stated, but are assumed as necessary for the government to function. For example, establishing a national bank.

Differences between Republicans and Democrats

Republicans are pro-life, support stricter immigration laws, they do not support stricter federal gun laws, and they do not support providing more healthcare. Democrats are pro-choice, they do not support stricter immigration laws, they support stricter gun laws, and they support providing more healthcare.

2 rights for citizens

Right to vote AND right to serve in a jury

Civil Liberties

Rights that belong to everyone, that are protections against the government, promised in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. That includes writ of habeas corpus, no bills of attainder, no ex post facto laws, and trial by jury.

Reasons the founding fathers wrote the Constitution

Shays's Rebellion, which showed that the Articles of Confederation were weak

What can the President do to let a bill pass?

Sign it or Ignore it

What happens when the President ignores a bill?

The bill is approved and becomes enacted into law without the Presidents having to input any say.

What happens when the President signs a bill?

The bill is approved and becomes enacted into law.

Weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation

The central government did not have any power. They did not have the power to tax or build a strong army.

Stability in the Constitution

The founding fathers did not want a sudden and disorganized change when they wrote the Constitution. Therefore, they worked towards maintaining the social values that people liked and that were already working in order to have stability instead of throwing something completely new that people would not like or would have a hard time getting used to.

Optimism in the Constitution

The founding fathers had a positive outlook and trusted that human beings were capable of governing themselves successfully.

Change in the Constitution

The founding fathers wanted to create a government in which change and improvement would be allowed.

Capitalism in the Constitution

The founding fathers wanted to promote private ownership and free enterprise in which businesses are not controlled by the government.

Impact of Third Parties

They can sway the vote (split the vote away from a major party) and provide a stance on an issue that the main parties may not have

What can the President do to stop a bill from passing?

Veto it or pocket veto it

Veto

When the President rejects a bill and gives reasons for rejecting a bill.

Pocket Veto

When the President rejects a bill by waiting for Congress to adjourn within ten days. This way the President does not need to address Congress about why he is rejecting the bill.

when civil liberties can be limited or suspended

martial law, national emergencies, clear and present danger doctrine, and smith act of 1940