Civics & Economics Midterm Review – Flashcards
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Electoral College
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A group of people named by each state legislature to select the President and Vice President.
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Two Party System
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A system of government in which two political parties compete for power.
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Primary Election
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A preliminary election to appoint delegates to a party conference or to select the candidates for public office.
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Interest Groups
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A group of people who share similar perspectives about an issue and unite to promote their cause.
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Lobbying
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Seeking to influence a politician or public official on an issue.
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Melting Pot Theory
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A metaphor describing the assimilation of immigrants into American culture.
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Salad Bowl Theory
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A concept explaining the integration of many different cultures of US residents being similar to a salad combination.
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Qualifications for Senators
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Senators must be 30 years of age, a resident of the state they wish to represent, and have been a US citizen for nine years prior to their election.
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Qualifications for Representatives of the House
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Representatives of the House must be 25 years of age, a resident of the state they wish to represent, and have been a US citizen for seven years prior to their election.
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Checks and Balances
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The process of influencing other branches of government.
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House of Representatives
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The lower house of the US Congress.
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Senate
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The upper house of the US Congress.
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Riders
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In addition added to a bill that is unrelated to the subject matter of the bill.
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Fillibuster
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An attempt to "talk a bill to death."
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1st Amendment
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The freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.
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2nd Amendment
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The right to bear arms.
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4th Amendment
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The right of the people to be secure from any unwarranted searches and seizures.
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5th Amendment
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The right that the federal government cannot deprive any individuals of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.
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6th Amendment
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The right to a speedy and public trial by impartial jury of the state.
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8th Amendment
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The forbidding of excessive bail, nor cruel and unusual punishment.
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14th Amendment
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The right that no state or local government can deprive any individual of life, liberty, or property.
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19th Amendment
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The forbidding of denying any individual the right to vote based on sex.
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23rd Amendment
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Residence of the District of Columbia are allowed to vote.
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26th Amendment
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The voting age set from 21 to 18.
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Judicial Review
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Review by the US Supreme Court.
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Due Process of Law
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The government must act fairly and follow the rules written in the Constitution at all times. (This creates the right of privacy).
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Gerymandering
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The process of creating oddly shaped districts, drawn up by state legislatures, to give an unfair advantage in the House of Representatives.
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Constitutional Amendment Process
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Two/Thirds vote by both Houses of Congress; Three/Fourths vote by state legislatures; Proposed at a national convention called by Congress with a Two/Thirds vote by state legislatures.
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Reserved Powers
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Powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states.
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Concurrent Powers
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Powers shared by both the state and federal governments.
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Expressed Powers
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Powers of Congress that are specifically listed in the Constitution.
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Implied Powers
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Powers of Congress that are not listed within the Constitution.
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Congressional Representation of the House
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One representative per district.
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Congressional Representation of the Senate
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Two senators per state.
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Article III of the Constitution
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An article in the Constitution that focuses primarily on the judicial branch.
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Popular Sovereignty
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A concept of a government where the people rule.
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Federalism
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A system of government in which a written constitution divides the powers of government between a national and several state governments.
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Preamble of the Constitution
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States the purpose of the Constitution
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Articles of Confederation
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The original Constitution of United States that formed a weak central government.
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Other forms of Government throughout World History
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Monarchies, dictatorships, etc.
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Bill of Rights
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An addition to the Constitution that included the rights of the people.
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Anti-Federalists
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Opposers of the Constitution.
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Federalists
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Supporters of the Constitution.
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The Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
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Established two houses of government.
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Social Contract
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An agreement among the members of society and government.
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Declaration of Independence
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A formal statement written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the freedom of the 13 American colonies from Great Britain.
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Common Sense
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A book written by Thomas Paine defending the new constitution.
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Magna Carta
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A document written by the English nobles and signed by the King, in 1215.
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Separation of Powers
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Dividing the powers of government among three branches.
