Midterm Flashcards
(245 cards)
0
Q
On which point did the Virginia and New Jersey plans disagree?
A
How the states should be represented
1
Q
____________, _________________, and _________________ were the authors of ______________which were written to encourage New York to ratify the constitution.
A
John jay
Alexander Hamilton
James Madison
The federalist papers
2
Q
Which compromise combined parts of the New Jersey and virginia plans to make the legislature like it is today?
A
Connecticut compromise
3
Q
Which was a compromise between the northern and southern states at the constitutional convention?
A
Congress could tax imports but not exports
4
Q
What was an important agruement against the proposed constitution?
A
It did not guarantee basic rights
5
Q
Why did smaller states favor the New Jersey plan over the virginia plan?
A
Because it called for the states to be represented equally
6
Q
How did the 3/5 compromise affect representation in congress?
A
Every 5 slaves were counted as 3 free men
7
Q
What finally solved the primary conflict at the constitutional convention over representation in congress?
A
The Connecticut compromise
8
Q
What was the main reason that federalist supported ratification of the constitution?
A
The need for a stronger central government
9
Q
What did federalist the federalist agree to in order to gain support for the new constitution?
A
Adding amendments to protect basic rights
10
Q
The delegates to the Philadelphia convention of 1787 originally ,et to
A
Recommend revisions to the articles of the confederation
11
Q
The new jersey plan gave congress the power to
A
Levy taxs
12
Q
The Connecticut compromise particularly satisfied and appeased
A
Smaller, less populous states
13
Q
The New Jersey plan called for
A
A federal executive for more than one person
14
Q
Representatives are elected
A
From congressional districts
15
Q
Senators are elected
A
At large
16
Q
Senators are elected for
A
Six years terms
17
Q
Representatives are elected for
A
Two year terms
18
Q
Each congressional term is divided into
A
Two sessions
19
Q
Until 1913, senators were chosen by
A
Their states legislature
20
Q
What is the minimum number of representatives in congress (both senators and members of the house) that a state can have?
A
Three
21
Q
Due to the length of their terms, house members may be more likely to
A
Listen to constituents views
22
Q
Why did the framers of the constitution create a bicameral congress?
A
To settle a conflict during a constitutional convention
23
Q
When may the president ask congress to hold a special session?
A
To deal with an emergency situation
24
What was the main idea of the Supreme Court ruling in wesberry v. Sanders?
One persons vote should be worth the same as another's
25
In which house of congress does each state have the same number of votes, no Mayer how large or small its population?
The senate
26
How often does the constitution require congress to reapportion seats in the House of Representatives?
Every ten years
27
How many sessions are there within each term of congress?
Two
28
What was the goal of the framers of the constitution when they created a bicameral congress?
The two houses would check one another
29
When does each new term of congress begin?
January of every odd numbered year
30
Which of the following was an important reason that the framers favored a bicameral legislature?
Both parliament and the colonial legislatures were bicameral
31
Based on Supreme Court cases, which of the following practices is permissible?
Drawing district lines using race as one of a mix of factors
32
The framers intended the senate to primarily represent
The states
33
The framers intended the House of Representatives to primarily represent
The citizens of our republic
34
The framers hoped that ___________ would help make the senate a more responsible body than the house.
Longer terms
35
Which can congress do through its commerce power?
Control foreign trade
36
The federal government often spends more money than it takes in each year. It then borrows money to make up the difference. What is this called?
Deficit financing
37
According to constitution, who has the main respect sublimity for foreign policy?
The president
38
According to the constitution, how can the United States declare war?
Only by an act of congress
39
Most bankruptcy cases are determined
In state municipal courts
40
What does the necessary and proper clause give to congress?
A basis for implied powers
41
Liberal construction has led to which of the following in the United States?
A larger national government
42
Which is a result of Congress's broad definition of commerce?
Federal power has increased
43
Congress has applied the necessary and proper clause to its use of the comerce clause. In doing so, how is the term commerce now defined by congress?
It refers to just about every form of economic activity
44
Which of the following is a limit the constitution places on the commerce power?
Congress cannot tax exports
45
Why did congress pass the war powers resolution after the Vietnam war?
To limit the presidents war making powers
46
Which is true when congress claims an implied power based on the necessary and proper clause of the constitution?
The implied power is based in at lease one if the expressed powers
47
Which of the following is a example of a tax congress would have the power to levy?
A tax on individuals' income
48
As the lawmaking body of the sovereign United States, what kind if power does congress have in relation to foreign policy and national security?
Inherent power
49
Which is a joint committee that finalizes a bill so it can go to the president?
Conference committee
50
Which correctly discribes how a joint committee works?
Both houses participate
51
Congress begins a term in which of the following?
Every odd numbered year
52
How often does congress begin a new term?
Every two years
53
After the Vice President, who is next in line to become president of the United States?
Speaker of the house
54
Standing committees _______________________
Play a critical role in the lawmaking process
55
Which describes how a select committee may help congress?
Conducts investigations
56
In the president of the senate is absent, which officer serves in his or her place?
President pro tempore
57
Which is the most powerful member of the senate?
The majority leader
58
Why is the house rules committee so powerful?
It decides whether or not a bill will get a vote by the full house
59
What makes opening day in the senate different from opening day in the house?
The senate is a continuous body
60
Which is more important factor in the selection of committee chairmen?
Length of service in congress
61
Why are committee chairmen important in the legislative process?
They have a major say in which bills the committee will consider
62
Select committees are ______________
Temporary committees set up for a certain purpose
63
The speaker of the house is sworn in by
The dean of the house
64
The opening day of a new term of congress occurs in
January
65
The first step in introducing a bill in the house is to place it in the
Hopper
66
What is rhe purpose of a conference committee
To develop a compromise bill
67
Why does the house have so many calendars and rules?
Because of the huge workload of the house
68
Which is true of debate in the senate as compared to the house
More freedom to debate
69
Which allows congress to override a presidents veto
2/3 vote of each house
70
How is a bill introduced in the senate
It is read twice and sent it a standing committee
71
What does a house member do before proposing a new bill
Seeks conspirators
72
What happens to most bills that are referred to committees
They are pigeonholed and die
73
What must happen before a bill can be sent to the president for approval?
It must pass both houses before a bill can be sent to the president for approval
74
Bills for raising revenue must originate in the
House if representatives
75
Who can introduce a bill in the senate?
Only senators who have been formally recognized for the purpose
76
How can a majority of members of the house force a bill to the floor that has been buried in committee?
File a discharge petition
77
Why are the senates proceedings less formal and it's rules less strict than those in the house?
The senate has fewer members
78
A political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with the power to make and enforce laws without approval form any higher authority
State
79
Any sizable group of people who are united by a common bonds of race, language, custom, tradition, and sometimes, religion.
Nation
80
An agreement about basic beliefs
Consensus
81
The supreme and absolute authority within territorial boundaries
Sovereignty
82
The institution through with the state maintains social order, provides public services, and enforces binding decisions on citizens.
Government
83
The theory that the state evolved from the family
Evolutionary theory
84
The theory that the state was born of force - when all the people of an area were brought under the authority of one person or group
Force theory
85
Belief that certain people are either defended from gods or chosen by gods to rule
Divine right
86
Theory that by contract, people surrender to the state the power needed to maintain order and the state, in turn, agrees to protect its citizens
Social contract
87
A concept that is old as antiquity, it flourished in the 17th century. In general, it supposed that man by use of reason could know in the main the fundamental principles of morality
Natural law
88
A government that gives all key powers to the national or central government
Unitary system
89
A government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments
Federal system
90
A loose union of independent states
Confederacy
91
A plan that provides the rules for government
Constitution
92
A government in which a constitution has authority to place clearly recognized limits on the powers of those who govern
Constitutional government
93
A statement in a constitution that sets forth the goals and purposes of government
Preamble
94
The effort to control or influence the conduct and policies of government
Politics
95
A system of government in which the power to rule is in the hands of a single individual
Autocracy
96
A system of government in which a small group holds power
Oligarchy
97
Government in which the people rule
Democracy
98
Autocracy in which king, queen, or emperor exercises supreme powers of government
Monarchy
99
A form of democracy in which the people govern themselves by voting on issues
Direct democracy
100
A government in which voters hold sovereign power; elected representatives responsible to the people, exercise that power
Republic
101
A group of individuals with broad common interest who organize to nominate candidates for office, win elections, conduct government and determine public policy
Political party
102
An economic system providing free choice and individual incentive for workers, investors, consumers, and business enterprises
Capitalism
103
The philosophy that government should keep its hands off the economy
Laissez-faire
104
An economy in which free enterprise is combined with and supported by government decisions in the marketplace. Government keeps competition free and fair and protects public interest.
Mixed-market economy
105
An economic system in which the government owns the basic means of production, distributes the products and wages, and provides social services such as health care and welfare
Socialism
106
An economic system in which the central government directs all major economic decisions
Communism
107
What are four features of a state?
A) population
B) territory
C) sovereignty
D) government
108
What are the three major purposes of a consitution?
1) it sets out ideals that people bound by the constitution beloved in and share
2) it establishes the basic structure of government and defines the governments powers and duties
3) it provides the supreme law for the country
109
What is the oldest written constitution still serving a nation today?
The United States constitution
110
Into what three major groups did Aristotle classify governments?
Autocracy
Oligarchy
Democracy
111
What three major decisions must all economic systems make?
1) what and how much should be produced
2) how goods and services should be produced
3) who gets the goods and services that are produced
112
_________ wrote ___________, a book in which he expounded upon the state, particularly a social contact.
Thomas Hobbes
| Leviathan
113
___________ wrote ____________ in 1776, a book which supported free markets - that is capitalism.
Adam smith
| The wealth of nations
114
_______________ first published his ideas promoting violent revolution in 1848 in a pamphlet called ______________________.
Karl Marx
| The communist manifesto
115
When king john was forced to sign the Magna Carta
1215,
116
Signed by king john, this established the principle of limited government, in which the power of the monarch or government was limited not absolute
Magna Carta
117
Year if the glorious revolution, in which parliament removed James II from the throne and crowned William III and Mary II. Parliament also passed the English bill of rights this year
1688
118
Set clear limits on what a ruler could and could not do
English bill of rights
119
What two principals at the heart of the English system greatly influenced the development of the United States?
Limited government
| Representative government
120
To approve
Ratify
121
Having a single legislative chamber
Unicameral
122
To yield
Cede
123
Law
Ordinance
124
A convention that was called to discus issues of commerce, but wherein only five sates convened.
Annapolis convention
125
7 weaknesses of the articles of confederation
A. Congress did not have the power to levy or collect taxes
B. Congress did not have the power to regulate trade
C. Congress could not force anyone to obey the laws it passed
D. Laws needed the approval of 9 of 13 states
E. Amending the articles required the consent of all states
F. The central government did not have an executive branch
G. The government had no national court system
126
Presided over the Philadelphia convention
George Washington
127
Wrote the final draft of the constitution
Gouverneur Morris
128
Often called the "father of the constitution" because he was the author of the basic plan of government that the convention eventually adopted. He was an advocate of a strong national government.
James Madison
129
Had served his country well as ambassador to France during the revolution and now at 81 he was an active participant in the debates
Benjamin Franklin
130
______________ drafted the ______________. The plan proposed a government based on three principals
1
2
3
James Madison
Virginia plan
1. A strong bicameral national legislature sigh two chambers, the lower chamber to be chosen by the people and the upper chamber to be chosen by the lower
2. A strong national executive chosen by the national legislature
3. A national judiciary to be appointed by the legislature
131
Written by William Patterson and designed merely to amend the articles of confederation, and in this plan the central government was to continue as a confederation of sovereign states
New Jersey plan
132
The New Jersey plan proposed a government with ______________________________.
A unicameral legislature with one vote for each state
133
The New Jersey plan ___________ and the delegates returned to considering the Virginia plan.
Was rejected
134
A plan called the _______________ because ______________ and the delegation from Connecticut played a key role in the committee that drafted it was adopted after long debate.
Connecticut compromise
| Roger Sherman
135
The Connecticut compromise suggested the legislative branch have two parts:
A House of Representatives, with state representation based on population
A senate, with two members from each state
136
Reached between the northern states and the southern states. Agreed 3/5 of the enslaved people were to be counted
3/5 compromise
137
The constitution _____________________________ to become the law of the land.
Required the ratification of 9 of the 13 states
138
The constitution was ratified in _______, this making the constitution the law of the land.
1788
139
What are the three parts of the constitution?
Preamble
Articles
Amendments
140
What power did case of marbury v Madison establish for the federal courts, which is not explicitly stated in the constitution?
Judicial review
141
What is the only court established by the constitution?
The Supreme Court
142
What is the only way a Supreme Court decision can be overturned?
By the court itself
143
What are the 3 parts/purposes of the Declaration of Independence?
A statement of principles; a list of grievances against the king; a Declaration of Independence from British rule
144
What powers may be exercised by the states according to the 10th amendment?
There are three areas of prohibition
- those not delegated to the national government
- those not reserved to the people
- those not denied to them by the constitution
145
Each term of congress is divided into ____________.
Two sessions
146
The House of Representatives has ____ members; however the constitution _____________________________________.
Does not fix the number of representatives in the house. It does required that the number of house seats be apportioned among the states on the basis of population. Each state is entitled to at least one seat.
147
The constitution sets the following qualifications for election to the House of Representatives:
25 years old
Be a citizen of us for 7 years
Be legal residents of the state that elects them
148
Members of the house are elected for ___________.
2 year terms
149
In order to assign representation according to population, the _______________ takes a national _________ every 10 years.
Census bureau
| Census
150
The population of each state determines the new number of representatives to which each state is entitled - a process called ______________________.
Reapportionment
151
The __________________ limits the house to 435 representatives. Each census determines how those seats will be divided among the states.
Reapportionment act of 1929
152
In most states the state legislature draws the boundary lines for each congressional election district. This process of drawing new district lines after reapportionment has been completed is called ___________________.
Redistricting
153
__________________ is the drawing of district boundaries to gain a political advantage for the party in controlling the state government.
Gerrymandering
154
Today's senate includes _____ members ___ from each state
100
| 2
155
The constitution sets the following qualifications for election to the senate:
30 years old
Be a citizen of the United States for at least 9 years
Be legal residents of the state they represent
156
All voters of each state elect senators _________________
At large
157
Before the ______________________ was passed in 1913, senators were elected by the state legislatures.
17th amendment
158
Elections for the senate are held in ________________________.
November of the even-numbered years
159
Constitution provided for the continuity in the senate by giving senators ________________ and by providing _____________________________.
6 year terms
| That only 1/3 of the senators would run for reelection every 2 years
160
___________ is a vote of formal disapproval of a members actions.
Censure
161
Congress has ________ members
535
162
Elected official that us already in office
Incumbents
163
The ____________________ is the presiding officer of the house and it's most powerful leader.
Speaker of the house
164
A _________, or closed meaning, of the majority party chooses the house speaker at the start if each session of congress! and the entire house membership approves the choice of speaker.
Caucus
165
Elected by the majority party, he is not actually a house official, but he is a party official. He helps plan the party's legislative program, steer important bills through the house, and make sure the chairpersons of the many committees finish work in bills important to the party.
Majority leader
166
Serve as assistant floor leaders in the house
Whips
167
All laws start as ______.
Bills
168
To introduce a bill, a representative drops it into the ________ , a mahogany box situated for the purpose near the front of the chamber.
Hopper
169
The _____________________ serves as the traffic officer in the house, helping to direct the flow of major legislation.
Rules committee
170
Person a member of congress has been elected to represent
Constituent
171
The minimum number of members who must be present to permit a legislative body to take official action
Quorum
172
Raises revenue, creates tax bills
House ways and means committee
173
A committee that handles appropriations bills. Both the senate and the house have appropriations committees.
Appropriations committee
174
Powers directly stated in the constitution
Expressed powers
175
Powers that the government requires to carry out the expressed constitutional powers
Implied powers
176
Article 1, section 8, of the constitution, which gives congress the power to make all laws that are necessary and proper for carrying out its duties
Elastic clause or necessary and proper clause
177
The power to pass laws
Legislative power
178
A court order to release a person accused of a crime to court to determine whether he has been legally detained
Writ of habeas corpus
179
Laws that establish guilt and punish peopl without allowing them a trial
Bills of attainer
180
Laws that make crimes of acts that were legal when hey were committed
Ex post facto laws
181
A law proposed to raise money
Revenue bill
182
A proposed law to authorize spending money
Appropriations bill
183
Approval of government spending
Appropriation
184
The money a government collects from taxes or other sources
Revenue
185
The legal proceeding to administer the assets of a person or business that cannot pay its debts
Bankruptcy
186
Trade among the states
Interstate commerce
187
The algal process by which a person is granted citizenship
Naturalization
188
The exclusive right to publish and sell a literally, musical, or artistic work for a specified period of time
Copyright
189
The exclusive right of an inventor to manufacture, use, and sell his or her invention for a specific period of time
Patent
190
A formal accusation of misconduct in office against a public official
Impeachment
191
A legal order that a person appear or produce requested documents
Subpoena
192
Lying under oath
Perjury
193
Willful obstruction of a hearing or trial
Contempt
194
The continuing review by congress of how effectively the executive branch carries out the laws congress passes
Legislative oversight
195
An agreement made between the president and head if state
Executive agreement
196
Ignoring a bill in committee and letting it die
Pigeonholing
197
Sessions at which a committee listens to the testimony from people interested in the bill
Hearings
198
Members of a conference committee
Conferees
199
Compromise bill presented by the conference committee after the changes are made
Conference report
200
A temporary joint committee set up when the house and the senate have passed different versions of the bill
Conference committee
201
When a president kills a bill passed during the last ten days congress is in session by simply refusing to act
Pocket veto
202
Ejection of a bill
Veto
203
Salary
Compensation
204
The order in which officials fill the office of the president in case of a vacancy
Presidential succession
205
The official vote for president and Vice President by electors in each state
Electoral vote
206
Protection from having to testify against oneself.
| Protection from loss of life, liberty, or property without due process
5th amendment
207
Abolished slavery
13th amendment
208
The fact that the constitution spells out a number of civil rights does not mean that there are not other, unwritten, rights held by the people
9th amendment
209
The right to bear arms
2
210
Protection from cruel and unusual punishment
8
211
Provided for the election of us senators by direct popular vote instead of state legislatures
17
212
Protection against arbitrary search and seizures without proper warrant or probable cause
4
213
Freedom of religion, speech, or press
1
214
The right to trial by jury in any civil case where the amount of money involved is $20 or more
7
215
Banned states from denying any person equal protection under the law
Banned states from denying any person life, liberty, or property without due process of law
Grated citizenship to all person born or naturalized in the us
14
216
Extended voting rights to African Americans by outlawing denial of the right to vote on the basis of race color or previous servitude
15
217
The right to a speedy trial by an impartial jury
| The right to an attorney
6
218
Protection from having to quarter soldiers in time of peace without the owners consent, nor in the time of war except as provided by law
3
219
The powers not delegated to the federal government may be exercised by the states, as long as they are not prohibited by the constitution
10
220
Amendments 13-15
Civil war amendments
221
Beyond the authority of the law; not regulated by the law
Extralegal
222
A state of disorder due to absence or nonrecognition of authority
Anarchy
223
Having two branches or chambers
Bicameral
224
Establishes the constitution as the supreme law of the land
Supremacy clause
225
Principle that the authority of the government is created and sustained by the consent of its people
Popular sovereignty
226
A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central or national government and several regional governments
Federalism
227
basic principle of American system of government that the executive, legislative, and judicial powers are divided among three independent and coequal branches of government
Separation of powers
228
System if overlapping the powers of the legislative,judicial, and executive to permit each other from getting too much power
Checks and balances
229
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action
Judicial review
230
Those delegated powers of the national government that are spelled out, expressly in the constitution
Expressed or enumerated powers
231
Court decision that delt with judicial review.
Marbury vs. Madison
232
By reasonable deduction from the expressed powers
Implied powers
233
By creating national government for the us
Inherent powers
234
Those powers, expressed, implied, or inherent, granted to the national government by the constitution
Delegated powers
235
Those powers that have both the national government and the states posses and exercise
Concurrent
236
Those powers that the constitution does not grant to the national government and does not deny to the states
Reserved powers
237
A congressional act directing the people of a United States territory to frame a proposed state constitution as a step towards admission to the union
Enabling act
238
Hand over
Extradite
239
The portion of god law relating to human conduct, to disputes between private parties, and to disputes between private parties and government not covered by criminal law
Civil law
240
Formal agreement entered into with the consent of congress, between or among states, or between a state and a foreign state
Interstate compact
241
Position advocating strict interpretation of the constitution worth regard to the limitation of
States rights position
242
Fighting for national independence
Nationalist position
243
List the 7 articles of the constitution by topic
1- congress, structure, powers
2- presidential elections and power thereof
3- judiciary structure and authority
4- rules concerning states
5- constitutional amendment
6- the supremacy clause
7- the ratification of the original constitution
244
List the six major principles of government that the constitution rest on
```
1- popular sovereignty
2- limited government
3- separation of powers
4- checks and balances
5- judicial review
6- federalism
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