American Government Unit 1

Question 1

Government

Answer 1

the means by which a society organizes itself and how it allocates authority in order to accomplish collective goals and provide benefits that the society as a whole needs.

Question 2

Constitution

Answer 2

Inspired by Locke; written by Jefferson; document that explicitly creates government institutions, defines the scope of government power, and guarantees certain civil liberties.

Question 3

State

Answer 3

a political division of a body of people that occupies a territory defined by frontiers.

Question 4

Four characteristics of the state

Answer 4

territory, population, government, and sovereignty.

Question 5

Sovereignty

Answer 5

the dominant power or supreme authority

Question 6

Force Theory

Answer 6

the strongest and most powerful individuals or groups imposed their will on others, establishing themselves as rulers and imposing their rule on the rest of the community.

Question 7

Divine Right Theory

Answer 7

Ruler claims they have the God-given authority to rule

Question 8

Social Contract Theory

Answer 8

The government and its people are in a contract and if the government breaks the contract the people have the right to overthrow it

Question 9

Democracy

Answer 9

the government is elected by the people.

Question 10

Direct democracy

Answer 10

(local) people vote directly on issues.

Question 11

Indirect democracy

Answer 11

People vote to elect people who will vote on issues

Question 12

Federal Government

Answer 12

Type of government with division of power between central and local government. Central government has authority over the state and local government.

Question 13

Capitalism

Answer 13

Free-market economy; businesses and property are private

Question 14

Oligarchy

Answer 14

consists of rule by an elite group who rule in their own interests, especially the accumulation of wealth and privilege. Only certain members of society have a valid voice in the government.

Question 15

Anarchy

Answer 15

No government in place– chaos

Question 16

Theocracy

Answer 16

Religious leaders rule based on divine right

Question 17

Confederation

Answer 17

Type of government where power is equal between central and local governments

Question 18

Communism

Answer 18

Business is owned and operated by government

Question 19

Socialism

Answer 19

governments own many of the larger industries and provide education, health and welfare services while allowing citizens some economic choices

Question 20

Totalitarian

Answer 20

Rule by a single political party.

Question 21

Constitutional Monarchy

Answer 21

King/queen is more of a traditional role but majority of government is ran by a parliament

Question 22

Revolutionary

Answer 22

Existing government is overthrown and new one is installed

Question 23

Absolute Monarchy

Answer 23

King/Queen has absolute power and rule

Question 24

Limited Government

Answer 24

The government must operate within certain boundaries set by the people

Question 25

Rule of Law

Answer 25

No one is above the law, even rulers

Question 26

Magna Carta

Answer 26

Inspired Dec of Independ.; trial by jury and due process of law

Question 27

Bi-cameral

Answer 27

Legislature with “two houses”

Question 27

Cameral

Answer 27

Legislature with “one house”

Question 28

Declaration of Independence

Answer 28

• statement about basic human rights
• grievances to king
• statement of purpose
  Written by Jefferson, inspired by Locke

Question 29

Articles of Confederation

Answer 29

1st Governing Doc;
1 one vote for each state, regardless of size
2 Congress powerless to tax
3 Congress powerless to regulate foreign and interstate commerce
4 no executive branch
5 no national court system
6 can only amend with the consent of all states
7 A 9/13 “super” majority required to pass laws

Question 30

New Jersey Plan

Answer 30

Unicameral legislature (no); Congress given power to tax (yes); weak Executive and consist of more than one pres (no); weak judiciary appointed by exec branch (yes)

Question 31

Virginia Plan

Answer 31

Bicameral legislature– lower elect by people (yes) and upper chosen by lower (no); strong executive chosen by legislature (no); national judiciary chosen by legislature (no)

Question 32

The Great Compromise

Answer 32

CONNECTICUT PLAN; House of Reps based on state’s pop (435 members; 2 year terms); Senate has 2 reps for 6 year terms

Question 33

3/5th compromise

Answer 33

slaves count as 3/5 person for the purpose of rep

Question 34

Federalists vs Anti Fed

Answer 34

Feds favored new Constitution (strong central gov) and AntiFeds (central gov’t not too strong and worried about no Bill of Rights)

Question 35

Strict constitutionalists

Answer 35

No room for interpretation of Constitution

Question 36

Loose constitutionalists

Answer 36

Constitution can be interpreted

Question 37

India

Answer 37

Democracy

Question 38

England

Answer 38

Capitalism

Question 39

Venezuela

Answer 39

Socialism

Question 40

Cuba

Answer 40

Communism

Question 41

Zimbabwe

Answer 41

Dictatorship

Question 42

China

Answer 42

Totalitarian; single political party– votes for other parties/people not allowed

Question 43

Iran

Answer 43

Theocracy

Question 44

Jordan

Answer 44

Monarchy

Question 45

Israel

Answer 45

Parliamentary; political party remains in power until new one

Question 46

USA

Answer 46

Republic; people vote for reps

Question 47

Afghanistan

Answer 47

Anarchy

Question 48

USA, France, USSR

Answer 48

Revolutionary

Question 49

Pakistan

Answer 49

Oligarchy (elite group rule)

Question 50

English Bill of Rights

Answer 50

guaranteed fair trials and freedom from excessive punishment

Question 51

Petition of Right

Answer 51

no tax w/o Parliament approval and monarchs must obey laws