Government Structure/Civic Participation

**This will NOT be taken for a grade.

You must know this material to do well on the 20% cumulative final exam.

Government Systems

SSCG1 Compare and contrast various systems of government.

1. What is an autocracy? RULE BY ONE

2. What are the two types of autocracies? MONARCHY AND DICTATORSHIP

3. What is the difference between an absolute monarchy and a constitutional (parliamentary) monarchy?

ABSOLUTE IS BY BIRTH – KING/QUEEN ONLY

CONSTITUTIONAL – KING/QUEEN IS SYMBOLIC AND PRIME MINISTER/PARLIAMENT RUN GOV

4. What is an oligarchy? RULE BY FEW

5. What is a democracy? RULE BY MANY

6. What is the difference between a direct and representative democracy?

DIRECT – EVERYONE VOTES ON EVERYTHING

REPRESENTATIVE – YOU CHOOSE PEOPLE (REPRESENTATIVES) TO SPEAK ON YOUR

BEHALF IN GOVERNMENT (LIKE CONGRESS)

7. What government(s) hold the power in a unitary system?NATIONAL

8. What government(s) holds the power in a confederation?STATES

9. What government(s) holds the power in a federal system?SHARED B/T NATIONAL AND STATE

Foundations

SSCG2 Demonstrate knowledge of the political philosophies that shaped the development of United States constitutional government.

1. What document (1215) introduced the ideas of limited government, due process of law, trial by jury, and the protection of private property and civil liberties while establishing that the power of the monarchy was not absolute? MAGNA CARTA
2. What document (1628) established basic rights for citizens, challenged the divine right theory (power to rule comes from GOD) and directed monarchs to obey the law of the land? PETITION OF RIGHTS
3. Which document (1689) effectively ended the absolute monarchy by placing limits on the monarchy and requiring a greater say from the Parliament? ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS
4. Which philosopher (author of Leviathan) defended the role of absolute monarchs in a social contract because they would make and enforce laws to secure a peaceful society which was better than the state of nature. HOBBES
5. Which philosopher agreed with the idea of the social contract theory but believed that natural rights like life, liberty and property could not be taken away by anyone, including an absolute monarch and that the people had the power to revolt against the king if their rights were violated by the sovereign (ruler)? LOCKE

1. Which philosopher favored a direct democracy over a representative democracy in the social contract? ROUSSEAU

1. Which philosopher encouraged the idea of three branches of government with a separation of powers as well as checks and balances? MONTESQUIEU

1. The following ideas found their origins in the documents and from the philosophers listed above. Thomas Jefferson included them in what document? DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE

• All men are created equal
• Unalienable rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• Governments are instituted among men and derive their power from the consent of the governed
• It is the right of the people to alter or abolish government and institute a new government

SSCG3 Demonstrate knowledge of the framing and structure of the United States Constitution.

1. The confederation created by the Articles had several weaknesses. How was each fixed in the Constitution?

1. The PHILADELPHIA Convention (aka Constitutional Convention) was attended by 12 of 13 states and led by George Washington as the men who would become known as the FRAMERS worked to make compromises that would lead to a more effective government.

1. How did the Connecticut (Great) Compromise set up the legislative branch to settle the issue of legislative representation between the Virginia and New Jersey Plan?THE HOUSE BASED ON POPULATION (VIRGINIA) AND THE SENATE TWO PER STATE (NEW JERSEY)

1. The south wanted to count slaves in the population count for the House of Representatives. The north did not. What is the name of the compromise made on slavery in the Great Compromise? 3/5 COMPROMISE What did it say about counting slaves? 3 OF 5 SLAVES COUNT FOR REPRESENTATION AND TAXATION

1. The COMMERCE CLAUSE established that Congress would power to regulate both foreign and interstate (between state) trade. It also kept Congress from issuing an export tax on goods (like tobacco) and forced them to stay out of the slave trade for 20 more years. This compromise protected concerns of the southern states that northern commercial interests would outweigh the south’s agriculture interests.

1. Explain each of the following Constitutional principles:
2. limited government – GOVERNMENT MUST FOLLOW OWN LAWS
3. rule of law – LAWS WILL BE WRITTEN DOWN
4. federalism – POWER IS DIVIDED BETWEEN STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT
5. separation of powers – DIVIDE RESPONSIBILITY BETWEEN 3 BRANCHES
6. checks and balances – EACH BRANCH SUPERVISES BEHAVIOR OF OTHER BRANCHES
7. popular sovereignty – POWER TO MAKE DECISIONS COME FROM THE PEOPLE
8. The FEDERALISTS wanted a strong national government because they feared that too much power to the states would lead to a fractured nation with each state operating like a separate nation.

1. The ANTI-FEDERALISTS argued that the national government had too much power and not enough powers were given to the states, that no provisions to protect civil liberties, and that the power to print money was given to the national government and not the states.

Constitution

SSCG4 Demonstrate knowledge of the organization and powers of the national government.

1. What is the primary function of the legislative branch? MAKE LAWS
2. Congress is made up of the HOUSE and the SENATE.
3. How many members are in the House? 435 What is this based on? POPULATION
4. How many members are in the Senate? 100 (2 PER STATE)
5. Since the 17th Amendment, members of both houses are elected by THE PEOPLE
6. Congress declares WAR, passes LAWS, approves or rejects PresidentialAPPOINTMENTS, levies TAXES, establishes the budget and can borrow money.
7. What is the primary function of the executive branch? ENFORCE THE LAWS
8. Who is the leader of the executive branch? ThePRESIDENTVICE PRESIDENT
9. Responsibilities of the chief executive include NOMINATING members to the Cabinet.
10. What is the primary function of the judicial branch? TO INTERPRET THE LAW
11. Federal and Supreme Court justices are appointed by the PRESIDENT and confirmed by the SENATE
12. Know the checks and balances of each branch on the other two branches. For example:

SSCG5 Demonstrate knowledge of the federal system of government described in the United States Constitution.

1. What is federalism?

SYSTEM WHERE THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT HAS SOME POWER AND THE STATE HAS SOME POWER AND THERE ARE SOME POWERS THAT ARE SHARED.

1. What are enumerated powers? Give two examples.

POWERS GRANTED TO THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT. MOST COMMONLY REFERENCED ARE ARTICLE I, SECTION 8, CLAUSE 1-17

Ex: COLLECT TAXES, BORROW MONEY, REGULATE TRADE, SET NATURALIZATION RULES, COIN MONEY, PUNISH COUNTERFEITERS, ESTABLISH POST OFFICES AND ROADS, ISSUE COPYRIGHTS AND PATENTS, CREATE INFERIOR COURTS, PUNISH PIRACY, DECLARE WAR, PROVIDE FOR MILITARY, REGULATE WASHINGTON D.C.

1. What are reserved powers? Give two examples.

POWERS HELD BACK (RESERVED) TO THE STATES.

EX: REGULATE TRADE WITHIN THE STATE (INTRASTATE), CONDUCT ELECTIONS, ESTABLISH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS AND STATE MILITIAS, PROVIDE FOR PUBLIC HEALTH AND SAFETY, RATIFY AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

1. What are concurrent powers? Give two examples.

POWERS SHARED BY BOTH STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

MAKING LAWS, COLLECTING TAXES, BORROWING MONEY

1. What are implied powers? Give two examples.

POWERS OF THE GOVERNMENT NOT LISTED BUT ALLOWED TO CARRY OUT ENUMERATED POWERS. EXAMPLES: THE NATIONAL BANK, THE MILITARY DRAFT

1. What clause of the Constitution gives us the implied powers? What is it’s nickname?

NECESSARY AND PROPER ALSO KNOWN AS THE ELASTIC CLAUSE

1. What are denied powers? Give two examples.

RESTRICTIONS ON THE GOVERNMENT (MOSTLY BASED ON ABUSES OF THE KING)

NO BILL OF ATTAINDER, NO EX POST FACTO LAW, CAN’T SUSPEND HABEAS CORPUS, NO TITLE OF NOBILITY

1. What is the intent of the Supremacy Clause in Article 6 of the Constitution?

DECLARES THAT WHEN THERE IS A CONFLICT BETWEEN STATE AND FEDERAL CONSTITUTIONS, LAWS, ETC., THE NATIONAL GOVERNMENT IS “SUPREME” AND HOLDS THE ULTIMATE POWER (EXAMPLE: IF A STATE LAW CONFLICTS WITH A FEDERAL LAW, THE STATE LAW IS VOIDED AND CAN NOT BE ENFORCED)

1. What is an amendment? AN ADDITION OR CHANGE

1. Complete the following chart on the amendment process outlined in Article 5.

Civil Rights/Civil Liberties

SSCG6 Analyze the meaning and importance of each of the rights guaranteed under the Bill of Rights and how each is secured.

SSCG7 Demonstrate knowledge of civil liberties and civil rights.

1. The process of INCORPORATION guarantees that the Bill of Rights are also applied at the state level of government under the due process clause of the 14th Amendment.

1. What are civil liberties?

PROTECTIONS AGAINST GOVERNMENT, GUARANTEE PROTECTION OF PEOPLE AND PROPERTY FROM ACTS OF GOVERNMENT WITHOUT CAUSE (PROTECTED IN BILL OF RIGHTS)

1. What are civil rights?

ATTEMPTS TO PROVIDE CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTIONS TO ALL WITHOUT DISCRIMINATION (USES 14TH AMENDMENT

1. The CIVIL RIGHTS ACT OF 1964 guaranteed voting rights for ALL Americans and outlawed discrimination in a number of areas including public schools, publicly funded programs and job-related matters.

1. The court case BROWN V. BOARD OF EDUCATION struck down the Plessy v. Ferguson decision and said that separate facilities were not equal facilities and began the integration of public schools.

1. Explain each of the following clauses. What amendment are they from? 14TH
2. Due Process Clause – EVERYONE IS GUARANTEED EQUAL TREATMENT IN THE SYSTEM
3. Equal Protection Clause – NO DISCRIMINATION ON RACE, GENDER, AGE, PHYSICAL ABILITY

1. Is there ever a time that your 1st Amendment rights can be restricted? Why/why not?

YOUR RIGHTS INTRUDE ON THOSE OF SOMEONE ELSE

YOUR RIGHTS PUT OTHERS IN DANGER

YOUR RIGHTS PUTS THE SAFETY OF THE US IN DANGER

1. Explain each of these provisions of the 5th Amendment
2. Double Jeopardy – CAN’T BE TRIED FOR SAME CRIME ONCE FOUND NOT GUILTY
3. Grand Jury – GROUP THAT DECIDES IF THERE IS ENOUGH EVIDENCE TO GO TO TRIAL
4. Self-Incrimination – IMPLICATING YOURSELF IN A CRIME (TELLING ON YOURSELF)

1. Why are each of the following amendments important to suffrage?

Legislative Branch/Interest Groups

SSCG8 Demonstrate knowledge of the legislative branch of government.

1. What are the qualifications for someone to be in the House of Representatives?

25 YEARS OLD, 7 YEAR CITIZEN, RESIDENT OF STATE (PREFER THEY LIVE IN DISTRICT)

1. What are the qualifications for someone to be in the Senate?

30 YEARS OLD, 9 YEAR CITIZEN, RESIDENT OF STATE

1. What is the length of term for a representative?2 YEARS

1. What is the length of term for a Senator?6 YEARS

1. Which Amendment allows us to choose Senators instead of them being appointed? 17TH

1. CONSTITUENTS are the people that members of the House and Senate represent (House = district; Senate = state)

1. Who is the president of the Senate? THE VP Who presides in the absence of the President of the Senate? PRESIDENT PRO-TEMPORE

1. Who is the presiding officer of the House?SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE

1. What is the job of the majority and minority leaders? MAKE DECISIONS ABOUT WHAT THEIR PARTY WILL SUPPORT AND WHAT TO OPPOSE

1. What is the job of the majority and minority whips?COMMUNICATION CHAIR FOR THE PARTY

1. Identify the type of committee

1. The power of the purse allows the Congress to tax, including income tax after the16TH Amendment?

1. What powers are held ONLY by the House?

INTRODUCE REVENUE BILLS, IMPEACH PRESIDENT, CHOOSE PRESIDENT WHEN NO WINNER

1. What powers are held ONLY by the Senate?

CONFIRM APPOINTMENTS, REMOVE IMPEACHED OFFICIALS, RATIFY TREATIES

1. What is a bill?PROPOSED LAWS

1. Explain the process of how a bill becomes a law.

1. Bill is DRAFTED (written)
2. Bill is INTRODUCED (by a member of House or Senate)
3. Bill is sent to COMMITTEES
4. Rules Committee in the House sets rules of debate for House Floor
5. Bill is debated and amended on the floor
6. Bill is sent to other CHAMBER (committee and floor votes)
7. Bill may need to go to CONFERENCE Committee
8. Conference Committee bill must be voted on by BOTH CHAMBERS
9. Bill is sent to PRESIDENT to be signed or vetoed
10. Possible OVERRIDE of veto (takes a 2/3 vote of each chamber)

1. A bill is engrossed if it has been PRINTED IN THE FINAL VERSION

1. What is a filibuster? ATTEMPT TO STALL A VOTE BY TALKING ENDLESSLY ABOUT A BILL (SENATE ONLY)

1. What is cloture?VOTE IN SENATE TO LIMIT DEBATE TO ONE HOUR TO PREVENT FILIBUSTER

1. What is a presidential veto? PRESIDENT REJECTS A BILL How can a presidential veto be overridden? 2/3 VOTE IN EACH CHAMBER

1. LOBBYING includes activities by members and representatives of an interest group (NAACP, NRA, MADD, etc.) to try to get laws passed in favor of their group.

1. Identify one positive aspect and one negative aspect to the activities of lobbyists.

POSITIVE: KNOWLEDGEABLE OF SUBJECT AREA, REPRESENT A LOT OF PEOPLE

NEGATIVE: OVERREPRESENT THEIR GROUP

Executive Branch

SSCG9 Explain the impeachment and removal process and its use for federal officials as defined in the U.S. Constitution.

1. What is impeachment?FORMAL ACCUSATION OF WRONGDOING
2. Who impeaches a President? HOUSE What vote is needed? SIMPLE MAJORITY
3. Who determines if an impeached President will be removed? SENATE
4. How many Presidents have been impeached? 2 Were they removed? NO

SSCG10 Demonstrate knowledge of the executive branch of government.

1. What are the constitution requirements to be president of the United States?

35 YEARS OLD, NATURAL BORN CITIZEN, 14 YEAR RESIDENT

1. What are the “unwritten qualifications” met by most of our presidents?

GOVERNMENT EXPERIENCE, MILITARY EXPERIENCE, COLLEGE EDUCATION

1. What is the term of office for an elected President & VP?4 YEARS

1. What changes to the Presidency were made by each of the following?

1. How many Electors does each state get?NUMBER = # OF SENATORS & REPS IN THE STATE
2. How many total Electors are there?538
3. How many Electors are needed to win the Presidency?270
4. Most states are “winner-takes-all”. What does this mean? WINNER OF POPULAR GETS ALL ELECTORAL VOTES FOR THAT STATE
5. If no candidate wins the necessary Electoral Vote who selects the President? HOUSE
6. Explain each of the roles of the President:

a. Chief of State – CEREMONIAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE COUNTRY

b. Chief Executive – ENFORCES THE LAW, APPOINTS OFFICIALS, GRANTS

PARDONS/REPRIEVES

c. Commander in Chief – OVERSEES THE USE OF THE MILITARY, COMMISSIONS OFFICERS

d. Chief Diplomat – HEAD NEGOTIATOR WITH OTHER COUNTRIES (MUST OFTEN WORK WITH

SENATE FOR APPROVAL)

e. Chief of the Party – REPRESENTATIVE OF HIS POLITICAL PARTY, CAMPAIGNS FOR OTHERS

FROM HIS PARTY, APPOINTS PARTY MEMBERS TO KEY JOBS

f. Chief Agenda Setter – RECOMMENDS LEGISLATION, VETO, STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

SSCG11 Explain the functions of the departments and agencies of the federal bureaucracy.

1. What is the bureaucracy?

EVERYONE WHO WORKS FOR THE GOVERNMENT BUT DID NOT GET ELECTED TO THEIR POSITION (APPLIED AND HIRED BASED ON EXPERTISE)

1. Who serves on the Cabinet?

THE HEADS OF THE 15 EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS, CALLED SECRETARIES (EX. SECRETARY OF STATE, DEFENSE, INTERIOR, AGRICULTURE, COMMERCE, TREASURY)

1. What is the job of the Cabinet?TO SERVE AS POLICY ADVISORS TO THE PRESIDENT

1. REGULATORY AGENCIES are not under the direct control of the president but oversee parts of our economy to protect consumers (ex. FDA, EPA)

1. GOVERNMENT CORPORATIONS are created by Congress to perform a business task rather than having a private company take it on (ex. Post Office, Amtrak)

1. EXECUTIVE AGENCIES are organized like Cabinet departments but take care of public tasks like space exploration and civil rights protections.

SSCG12 Describe the tools used to carry out United States foreign policy, including diplomacy and treaties; economic, military, and humanitarian aid; and sanctions and military intervention.

Judicial Branch