American Government Midterm
If demand increases
$ for product increases
Force theory
Holds that one person or a small group claimed control over an area and forced all within it to submit to that person's or group's rule
small states wanted N.J. plan because?
It showed equal rep.
Virgina waited a long time before compromising and ratifying because
It wanted a bill of rights
Who is the father of the constitution
James Madison
Describe the extradition clause and explain its purpose
A fugitive is a person who runs away from punishment. Extradition requests are received from and approved by the chief executives of the various States—that is, the State governors. Extradition allows a fugitive to be returned to the State in which he or she committed a crime in order to face punishment there.
List other key powers exercised by Congress
A patent grants an inventor the sole right to manufacture and sell an invention.
Evolutionary Theory
A population formed out of primitive families. The heads of these families became the government. When these families settled in one territory and claimed it as their own, they became a sovereign state.
Social Contract Theory
A population in a given place (territory) gave up as much power to a government as needed to promote the well being of all. in doing so they created a soverign state
Explain how House seats are reapportioned among the States after every Census
After each census, the Census Bureau decides on the number of seats each state will have in the House of Representatives, based on its population.
Describe Congress' power to impeach, and summarize presidential impeachment cases
After the President is formally accused, or impeached, the Senate holds a trial to convict or acquit the President of the charges. After a President is formally accused, or impeached, the Senate holds a trial to convict or acquit the President of the charges.
Describe the duties performed by those who serve in Congress
As committee members, senators and representatives screen proposed bills. They decide which measures will go on to floor consideration, where they can be acted upon by the full House or Senate.
Examine the many and growing areas of cooperative federalism
Grants are money or other resources that are given to the states. Federal grants are examples of cooperative federalism. This means that power is often shared as two levels of government (national and state) cooperate. Categorical grants are made for specific purposes, such as assistance to sufferers of Alzheimer's disease.
Identify how basic legislation has added to our understanding of the Constitution over time
Congress can change the Constitution through passing basic legislation. This legislation can help to explain the meaning of parts of the Constitution. An example is the federal court system that was created by acts of Congress.
Describe the investigatory powers of Congress
Congress investigates mostly through the appropriate standing committees and their subcommittees.
Describe the role of Congress in amending the Constitution and its electoral duties
Congress may propose an amendment with the support of two-thirds of both houses or by calling a national convention after receiving requests to do so from two-thirds of the state legislatures.
Right to petition
English Bill of Rights
Dec. of rights to King George III
First continteal congress sent it
Explain why the Framers gave Congress the power to issue currency
For decades, the federal government has practiced deficit spending or the practice of spending more money than it takes in each year and borrowing to make up the difference. Congress needed the power to create a single national "hard money" system that everyone could feel confident using.
Divine Right Theory
God created the state making it sovereign, the government is made up of those chosen by god to rule a certain territory the people must obey their ruler
how power is distributed between the executive branch and the legislative branch
In a presidential government, the legislative and executive branches each have powers that can block the actions of the other branch. For example, the president can reject a law proposed by the legislature.
Identify the Framers of the Constitution and discuss how the delegates organized the proceedings at the Philadelphia Convention
James Madison became a leader at the Constitutional Convention and contributed more to the Constitution than any other delegate. Thomas Jefferson was unable to attend the Constitutional Convention, as he was in Paris, serving as the American minister to France.
First three articles
Legislative, executive, judicial
22nd Amendment
Pres. and V.P. limit to 2 terms
Ch. 10-Congress Explain how House seats are distributed and describe the length of time for a term in the House
Members of the House of Representatives are elected every two years for a two-year term. Members of the House of Representatives are up for reelection every two years, which tends to make them pay closer attention to "the folks back home." The Constitution provides that the total number of seats in the House of Representatives shall be apportioned among the States on the basis of their respective populations, although each State is guaranteed at least one seat no matter what its population.
The earliest attempt to unify some of the colonies was the
New england confederation mainly used for defense against native american tribes
Explain the process for admitting new States to the Union
Only Congress has the power to admit new States to the Union.
Describe how Senators are elected
Originally, the Constitution provided that the members of the Senate were to be chosen by the State legislatures. Since the ratification of the 17th Amendment in 1913, however, senators have been elected by popular vote.
6 basic principles of the Constitution
Popular soverignty-the people hold ultimate power in the government. limited govt-No government is all powerful. Government must obey the law. separation of powers-No one component of the government holds too much power Powers are distributed among 3 different branches. checks and balances-Designed to prevent abuse of power in the government Judicial review—power is shared between the central/national government and the states. Federalism- the system under which the central government and the States share power.
Identify the opposing sides in the fight for ratification and describe the arguments for and against the proposed Constitution
Ratification passed only by a small margin in Virginia. The support of James Madison and George Washington helped sway the state to ratify. Anti-Federalist complaints about the absence of a bill of rights forced Federalists to promise that, once adopted, the Constitution would be amended to add one.
Summarize key points related to taxing power
The 16th Amendment gives Congress the ability to impose an income tax. Article I of the Constitution states that "all Duties, Imposts and Excises, shall be uniform throughout the United States." This means that all indirect taxes must be collected at the same rate in every part of the country.
Outline the 27 Amendments that have been added to the Constitution
The 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18.
Describe ways in which implied powers have been applied
The Commerce Clause has been defined so broadly that it encompasses virtually every economic activity in the country. In 1998 and 2007, Congress used its commerce power to stop a tax on Internet sales and other online activities.
Describe the inauguration of the new government in the United States of America
The Congress of the Confederation set the first Wednesday in March as the date for the inauguration of the new government. However, when the new Congress convened on March 4, 1789, it lacked a quorum and could not count the electoral votes until April 6. As a result, the inauguration took place on April 30, when George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States.
Summarize the obligations that the Constitution places on the National Government with regard to the States
The Constitution requires the national government to guarantee the states a republican form of government. Though the Constitution does not explain what is meant by a republican form of government, this phrase is generally understood to mean a representative government. The Constitution states that the National Government must protect each State against invasion. The federal system may also send troops into a State at the governor's request and can aid areas stricken by nature. However, the National Government must recognize the physical boundaries of each State.
Ch. 4-Federalism Explain the purpose of the Privileges and Immunities Clause
The Constitution's Privileges and Immunities Clause guarantees that any American may travel or live in any state
Define Federalism and explain why the Framers chose this system
The Framers chose a federal system to make sure power was shared between the national government and the states. The Framers were convinced that governmental power inevitably threatens individual liberty, so that power must be restrained. They thought that to divide government power, as a federal system does, was the best way to prevent its abuse.
Understand the purpose of the Full Faith and Credit Clause
The Full Faith and Credit Clause of the Constitution declares that the laws, records, and results of court cases of one state are valid in all other states. There are some exceptions to this. For example, same-sex marriages are only recognized in some states.
Identify the executive powers of Congress
The Senate has two executive powers. It must confirm all major presidential appointments, and it may accept or reject a treaty made by the President.
Explain how the formal amendment process illustrates the principle of federalism and popular sovereignty
The amendment process is an example of popular sovereignty at work since amendments are the product of the people's demands to change the Constitution.
Ch. 11-Powers of Congress Analyze the importance of Congress' commerce power
The commerce power allows Congress to regulate foreign trade and trade between states. The Constitution forbids Congress to tax exports.
Explain how the bankruptcy and borrowing powers work
The only one of these choices that is a realistic or constitutionally allowable option for reducing deficit financing is cutting government spending.
Summarize the common features of the first State Constitutions
The powers in the first state constitutions were divided among three branches. Each branch was given powers with which to check the other branches of government. Memories of the royal governors were fresh in the colonists' minds, and they wanted to ensure that no one person or group of people would become too powerful.
Identify powers that are delegated to and denied the National Government and powers that are Reserved for and denied to the States
The reserved powers are those that the Constitution does not specifically grant to the National Government and does not, at the same time, deny to the States.
Compare the strict construction and liberal construction position on the scope of congressional power
The strict constructionists (Anti-Federalists) were concerned that a broad view of the powers of Congress would all but destroy the reserved powers of the States. liberal constructionists-
Identify the 4 different ways the Constitution may be formally changed
There are four possible methods of formal amendment. Of these, one method has been used for 26 of the 27 amendments; that is, proposal of the amendment by Congress and ratification by the state legislatures. Congress gets to choose the method of ratification when it proposes an amendment.
Explain how the Necessary and Proper Clause gives Congress flexibility in lawmaking
Though the Constitution does not specify that Congress can punish tax evaders, such a power is implied by the expressed power to levy taxes. This is because Congress must have a way to enforce its power of taxation.
why was the A.O.C doomed to fail
Too weak
what type of orgin of state are we
U.S has a social contract origin
Identify the personal and political backgrounds of members of Congress
Well over half the senators are lawyers.
Analyze the connections between democracy and the free enterprise system
When businesses complete in a free enterprise system, consumers benefit by being able to buy goods and services at the lowest possible prices. In a free enterprise system, decisions about prices are determined by consumers and sellers, independent of the government. When consumers demand a product or service, sellers will set a higher price.
Examine why States form interstate compacts
With the consent of Congress, states can make interstate compacts. These are usually made to help two or more states manage concerns that they have in common, such as transportation safety or shared natural resources. Interstate compacts are agreements the states make with one another and with foreign states. Some interstate compacts, such as the Compact on Juveniles, involve several states.
How is the constitution organized
preamble articles 1-7 bill of rights
Who can participate
representative democracy- a small group of people are chosen by election to represent a larger group. unitary government- all government powers are held by a single central agency that creates local units of government for its own convenience.
what were most of the colonies
royal colonies
what extent of control did each state have
all power
unitary
all powers held by central goverment and local govt are created for convience
3 basic forms of govt based on geographic power
confederate-an alliance of independent states federal- One in which the powers of government are divided between a central and several local goverments unitary-all powers held by the goverment belong to a single central agency
2 ways to classify govt based on #of people
dicatorship and democracy
states wanted to keep separation of power and?
didn't want to abuse power like Great Britain
Comprosmise is a pillar of democracy
ensures that minority opinions are considered
formal amendment
federalism at work Propsed in federal congress and ratified at state level
4 theories of the origin of the state
force theory, evolutionary theory, divine right theory, social contract theory
purpose of govt in preamble
form a more perfect union establish justice ensure domestic tranquility provide for common defense promote the general welfare secure the blessings of liberty
Duties
have to do school, taxes
Responsibilities
should do volunteer,vote
Articles of Confederation
states managed most of their own affairs
ID=RD
indirect democarcy=representative democracy
Dictatorship
most likey force origin
Treaty and executive agreement
only lasts for current potus term bc it is not through the senate
Republic
peoples vote
Chapter 1- Principles of Government (P,T,S,G)
population- size of a population has nothing to do with existence of a state territory-must have known and recognized boundaries sovereignty-decides its own foreign and domestic policies government-every state has a government; consists of the machinery and personal by which the state is ruled; has power to rule
royal colonies set the stage for what
the rebellion
Equal opportunity
the right to equivalent opportunities for employment regardless of race or color or sex or national origin
Antifeds diskliked the constitution b/c...
there was no bill of rights
different ways power can be distributed geographically in a state
unitary government- all key powers are held by the national or central government. federal- confederate-
All 3 powers given to central gov't
unitary govt
limits of power in legislative branch by president.
veto
free enterprise
when buisness compete good for consumer bc prices stay fair
