Final Study Guide

Question 1

What is Direct Democracy?

Answer 1

Citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

Question 2

What defines a Republic?

Answer 2

Citizens elect representatives to make decisions.

Question 3

What is a Constitutional Monarchy?

Answer 3

Monarch shares power with a constitutionally organized government.

Question 4

What is an Absolute Monarchy?

Answer 4

Monarch has total control, no constitutional limits.

Question 5

Define Dictatorship/Totalitarian.

Answer 5

One ruler or party holds absolute power, often by force.

Question 6

What is a Theocracy?

Answer 6

Government run by religious leaders or laws.

Question 7

What does Anarchy refer to?

Answer 7

Absence of government or authority.

Question 8

Who is John Locke?

Answer 8

Philosopher known for natural rights, social contract, legitimate government, consent of the governed, right to revolution.

Question 9

What are Voltaire’s key contributions?

Answer 9

Protection of individual rights, freedom of speech and religion.

Question 10

What is Montesquieu known for?

Answer 10

Separation of powers, civic virtue & common welfare, importance of middle class, republican government.

Question 11

What is Rousseau’s main idea?

Answer 11

Representative government, power to the people, equality of all citizens.

Question 12

What was the 3/5th Compromise?

Answer 12

Slaves counted as 3/5 of a person for representation/taxes.

Question 13

What is the Electoral College?

Answer 13

Compromise on electing President indirectly.

Question 14

What was the Great Compromise?

Answer 14

Bicameral legislature; House by population, Senate equal representation (2 per state).

Question 15

Who are the Federalists?

Answer 15

Support Constitution, strong central government, believed checks and balances protect rights.

Question 16

Who are the Anti-Federalists?

Answer 16

Opposed Constitution without Bill of Rights, feared too much central power, wanted more state power.

Question 17

What is the purpose of Congress?

Answer 17

Make laws, represent people, oversee government.

Question 18

What is a Bicameral Legislature?

Answer 18

Two chambers: Senate and House of Representatives.

Question 19

What are Congressional Checks on Other Branches?

Answer 19

• Override veto (2/3 vote both houses)
• Impeach (House impeaches, Senate tries)
• Declare war
• Control money (‘power of the purse’).

Question 20

What powers are denied to Congress?

Answer 20

• Cannot suspend Habeas Corpus except in emergencies
• No ex post facto laws
• No Bills of Attainder
• No Titles of Nobility.

Question 21

What are the age and citizenship requirements for the Senate?

Answer 21

Age: 30+, Citizenship: 9+ years.

Question 22

What are the age and citizenship requirements for the House of Representatives?

Answer 22

Age: 25+, Citizenship: 7+ years.

Question 23

Who is the Vice President?

Answer 23

President of Senate, breaks ties.

Question 24

What is the role of the President pro tempore?

Answer 24

Senior Senator, leads Senate in VP absence.

Question 25

What is the role of the Speaker of the House?

Answer 25

Leader of House, controls legislative agenda.

Question 26

What is the term length and requirements for the President?

Answer 26

Term: 4 years, max 2 terms (22nd Amendment).

Question 27

Who is first in the presidential succession line?

Answer 27

Vice President.

Question 28

What is the Impeachment Process?

Answer 28

* House brings charges * Senate holds trial * Chief Justice presides over presidential impeachment trial.

Question 29

What are the Presidential Powers?

Answer 29

* Chief Executive: Enforce laws * Chief Diplomat: Manage foreign policy * Commander-in-Chief: Head of armed forces * Legislative Leader: Influence Congress * Judicial Leader: Appoint judges * Head of State: Symbolic leader * Economic Leader: Manage economy * Party Leader: Lead political party.

Question 30

What tools and powers does the President have?

Answer 30

* State of the Union Address * Executive orders and agreements * Appointments with Senate approval * Executive privilege * Veto vs. pocket veto.

Question 31

What is the Federal Bureaucracy?

Answer 31

Large government departments and agencies.

Question 32

What is the Electoral College's role in presidential elections?

Answer 32

270 votes needed to win.

Question 33

What is jurisdiction in courts?

Answer 33

* Original: First hearing * Appellate: Review lower court decisions (reverse, affirm, remand).

Question 34

What is the structure of the Supreme Court?

Answer 34

9 Justices: Chief Justice + 8 Associates.

Question 35

What is the significance of Marbury v. Madison?

Answer 35

Established judicial review.

Question 36

What are the protections for Criminal Defendants?

Answer 36

4th, 5th, 6th, 8th Amendments protections.

Question 37

What did Brown v. Board achieve?

Answer 37

Ended school segregation.

Question 38

What is the definition of Political Parties?

Answer 38

Groups that promote specific policies and candidates.

Question 39

What are the key beliefs of Republicans?

Answer 39

Conservative policies.

Question 40

What are the key beliefs of Democrats?

Answer 40

Liberal policies.

Question 41

What does the 15th Amendment address?

Answer 41

Black male suffrage.

Question 42

What does the 19th Amendment address?

Answer 42

Women’s suffrage.

Question 43

What is the significance of the 26th Amendment?

Answer 43

Voting age 18+.

Question 44

What is the purpose of the Federal Election Commission (FEC)?

Answer 44

Regulates campaign finance.

Question 45

What is the process of elections?

Answer 45

* Nominating Process * Exploratory committees * Primaries and caucuses * National conventions * General Election.

Question 46

What are interest groups?

Answer 46

Organizations that seek to influence political policy.

Question 47

What is lobbying?

Answer 47

Direct/indirect efforts to influence government decisions.

Question 48

What is a PAC?

Answer 48

Political Action Committee that raises funds for candidates.

Question 49

What is a SuperPAC?

Answer 49

Independent expenditure-only committee that can raise unlimited funds.

Question 50

What is the role of citizens in democracy?

Answer 50

* Voting * Staying informed * Volunteering.