2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 1 Student Name: Date: 2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide In completing this study guide, you will need to draw on your knowledge from throughout the second nine weeks. You may even have to research topics you are not familiar with or may seem new to you (we haven t covered EVERYTHING just yet). You will only get one copy of this study packet. If you lose it, you ll have to print out another through ecampus. The Federal Government: The Legislative Branch Vocabulary Review - Define the following terms in relation to the Federal Government: 1. Debate a formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward. 2. Vote to choose, endorse, decide the disposition of, defeat, or authorize by vote 3. Bill a draft of a law presented to a legislature for enactment 4. Law a binding custom or practice of a community, government 5. Veto a power of the President to prevent permanently or temporarily a bill becoming a law 6. Bicameral Two houses 7. Congress the supreme legislative body of a nation and especially of a republic 8. Senate the second chamber in the bicameral legislature the lower house of a legislative body (such as the U.S. 9. House of Representatives 10. Speaker of the House 11. President Pro Tempore Congress) Leader of the House of Representatives Leader of the Senate (besides the Vice President) 12. Cloture the closing or limitation of debate in a legislative body especially by calling for a vote Structure of Congress 1. What are the requirements to become a Congressman in the United States? 2. What is the length of a term for a congressman? How many terms can they serve? House of Representatives 1. Must be 25 years old 2. 7 years a citizen 3. be a legal resident of the state you represent House of Representatives 1. Length of Term: 2 2. How many terms can they serve? Unlimited Senate 1. Must be 30 years old 2. 9 years a citizen 3. be a legal resident of the state you represent Senate 1. Length of Term: 6 2. How many terms can they serve? Unlimited 3. How many members are in Congress combined? In House Total Members: 535 House of Representatives number of Senate number of members: 100 members: 435
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 2 of Representative? In the Senate? 4. How is the number of representatives/senators determined? 5. Who is the leader of the House of Representatives? The leader of the Senate? The active leader of the senate? In the House, representation is based on population. The larger the population of the state, the more representatives for that state. Speaker of the House Vice President Senate President Pro Tempore In the Senate, representation is equal. There are 2 Senators per state. The Powers and Roles of Congress 1. What are the important powers of Congress (The Legislative Branch)? Make Laws, collect taxes, raise an army, declare war, regulate trade, impeach government officials, make immigration laws, etc 2. Where does Congress get its power (Hint: WHERE in the US Constitution) 3. How does a bill become a law (LIST THE STEPS EXPLICILTY) Article I Idea Introduced to one chamber of congress---goes to committee to be passed if passed with a majority vote, goes to full chamber (House or Senate) for vote---if passed, goes to other chamber for similar process if passed, goes to President to be signed or vetoed The Federal Government: The Executive Branch Vocabulary Review: Define the following terms in relation to the Federal Government: 1. President Leader of the executive branch 2. Executive Branched tasked with enforcing the laws 3. Cabinet Group of individuals hired by the president to help him run the executive branch and advise the President 4. Pardon To excuse someone from having committed a crime 5. Impeach To remove from office 6. Commander-in- a role of the president, leader of the armed forces Chief 7. Chief Diplomat a role of the president, represents our country to foreign powers 8. Legislator a role of the president, Helps make laws
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 3 9. Chief Executive a role of the president, Enforces the laws 10. Party Leader a role of the president, Leads a political party he/she represents while in office 11. Head of State a role of the president, Chief representative of the U.S. The Powers and Roles of the President 1. What are the requirements for a person to become the President? 1. Must be _35 years old 2. Natural born citizen of the U.S. 3. Resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years 2. How long is a presidential term in office? How many terms/years can a president serve? Why? 3. What are some powers of the president/executive branch? Explain them. A presidential term is 4 years long. The President can serve for a maximum of 2 terms and 8 years because of the _22 amendment. Sign/veto laws, pardon criminals, sign treaties, Commander-in-chief of the military, can choose new Supreme Court justices, ambassadors and appoint new cabinet members (with Senate approval), etc... 4. How do checks and balances limit the president s powers? Give examples. Answers Vary (impeachment, veto override, supreme court decision to prevent executive order, Senate must approve treaties and nominations for federal jobs, etc ) 5. If the president dies, what is the line of succession (first 4 people)? Where is the succession described (HINT: Look in the Constitution.) 6. What is the Electoral College and how does it help decide the presidency? 1. Vice President 2. _Speaker of the House 3. _Senate President Pro Tempore 4. Secretary of State Presidential Succession is described in the Presidential Succession Act of 1947 and in the 25 th Amendment of the Constitution. a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president. Each states number of electors is the same as their representation in Congress. (determined by population from the House and equal votes from the Senate) Whichever candidate gets the most votes in each state (popular vote) then gets the electoral votes for that state.
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 4 The Federal Government: The Judicial Branch Vocabulary Review: Define the following terms in relation to the Federal Government: Judicial Branch The court systems of local, state, and federal governments, responsible for interpreting the laws Judicial Review Constitutional Unconstitutional Nullify Supreme Court Civil Law Criminal Law Appellate Court Federal Court System State Court System Evidence review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act Follows the constitutional guidelines Does not follow the constitutional guidelines To negate or undo Head of the Judicial Branch the system of law concerned with private relations between members of a community rather than criminal, military, or religious affairs a system of law concerned with the punishment of those who commit crimes. any court of law that is empowered to hear an appeal of a trial court or other lower tribunal The federal court system has three main levels: U.S. District Court, U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and the U.S. Supreme Court. Each level of court serves a different legal function for both civil and criminal cases. decides cases involving state law or the state constitution the available body of facts or information indicating whether a belief or proposition is true or valid. The Powers and Roles of the Judicial Branch 1. Explain the Judicial Branch s role in the lawmaking process at the federal level. (what can the Judicial Branch do when it comes to laws?) 2. How the does the Constitution limit the power of the Judicial Branch? (checks and balances examples) To review laws to decide if they are constitutional Justices can be impeached. The Senate must approve the President s federal judge appointments. 3. Write in the different LEVELS of the federal court system in the pyramid, with the lowest level starting at the bottom. Supreme District Appellate
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 5 4. How many Justices are on the Supreme Court? 5. What is the appointment process to become a Justice on the Supreme Court? 6. What are the responsibilities of the Supreme Court? 7. What is the role of the courts in YOUR life? 9 Word Bank: nominate/appoint, President, confirm/approve, Senate Fill in the blank with the correct words above. The President gets to nominate Supreme Court justices, and the Senate has to approve. The Supreme Court is the final judge in all cases involving laws of Congress, and the highest law of all the Constitution You can be called for jury duty, can vote for Senate members that can approve federal judges, judges and juries make decisions that can impact your life, you could be a defendant in a court, etc I. Checks and Balances Chart Directions: Various governmental powers are listed below. Identify the branch doing the checking and the branch being checked. More than one answer is possible per section. Power Which Branch Has The Power? Which Branch's Power is Being Checked? (Could be more than one) 1) Create and pass legislation. Legislative executive 2) Veto bills. executive Legislative 3) Ratify treaties. Legislative executive 4) Appoint Federal judges. executive Legislative, judicial 5) Impeachment of federal officials. 6) Confirm the appointment of presidential appointments. Legislative Legislative Executive, judicial executive
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 6 7) Declare laws unconstitutional. judicial Legislative 8) Override Presidential Vetoes. 9) Judges are appointed for life. Legislative judicial executive 10) Controls appropriations of money. Legislative executive Sample Test Questions for this unit: Can you answer these sample test questions about this unit correctly? Use information from ecampus/class websites, your online text, or general internet searches if need be. *The scenario below describes a government *According to the chart below, what should Step 3, Section A state? process. A bill was passed. It was vetoed. The veto was overridden. Three years later the law was found to be unconstitutional. According to the scenario, in what order did the branches of government exercise their power? A. legislative, executive, judicial, legislative B. legislative, executive, legislative, judicial C. executive, legislative, executive, judicial D. judicial, executive, legislative, judicial ------------------------------------------------------------------- *Which of the following must happen to overrule a veto by the President? A. Two thirds of the House of Representatives must vote to override a veto. B. Two thirds of both houses of Congress must vote to override a veto. C. Three fourths of the Senate must vote to override a veto. D. Three fourths of both houses of Congress must vote to override a veto. ------------------------------------------------------------------- Which of the following is an example of an "implied" power? A. Congress uses the selective service system to raise an army. B. Congress votes to raise income taxes. C. Congress declares war on a country for sponsoring terrorism. D. Congress votes to confirm a Presidential appointment to the Supreme Court. ------------------------------------------------------------------- *Read the following scenario and answer the question below: A. The House of Representatives debates and votes. B. Committees sign or veto bill. C. Citizens vote on bill. D. Special interest groups vote on bill. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *The document above is a re-creation of a presidential action. What step must take place for Sandra Day O'Connor to become a U.S. Supreme Court Associate Justice? A. judicial oversight B. judicial review C. confirmation D. appointment ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- *What does the writing on the backs of the players represent?
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 7 Congress has just passed a bill, and the President has approved it. Which statement BEST explains how the law can still be prevented from being enacted? A. The Speaker of the House can veto the law. B. The people in each state can vote against the law. C. The governors in each state can refuse to approve the law. D. The Supreme Court can determine the unconstitutionality of the law. ------------------------------------------------------------------ *Which statement about the Senate is TRUE? A. Each member represents one Congressional district. B. It has two members from each state. C. There are 435 members. D. Members are apportioned by state population. The Path to Democracy A. the powers of the legislative and executive branches B. the powers of the state and federal governments C. the powers of the legislative and judicial branches D. the powers of the executive and judicial branches ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Which of the following newspaper headlines describes the operation of checks and balances? A. New York State Rejects Federal Regulations on Drug Testing B. Senate Rejects President's Choice of Supreme Court Justice C. Florida to Gain Two Seats in the House of Representatives D. Albany County Receives $4 Million from Congress for Rail System Vocabulary Review: Define the following terms and concepts. Enlightenment Period Natural Rights an intellectual and scientific movement of 18th century Europe which was characterized by a rational and scientific approach to religious, social, political, and economic issues Rights of people given at birth Separation of Powers Social Contract Limited Government Putting power of the government into separate branches so that one branch is not all powerful. The government exists only to serve the will of the people. You give up some of your natural rights to have a government protect your freedoms. Government is not all powerful. It is limited in what it can do. (checks and balances, separation of powers helps achieve this)
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 8 Enlightenment Thinkers and Concept Reviews Who was John Locke and how did his ideas influence early American ideals? Who was Baron de Montesquieu and how did his ideas influence early American ideals? Who was Thomas Hobbes and how did his ideas influence early American ideals? Who was Jean-Jacques Rousseau and how did his ideas influence early American ideals? He wrote that government is morally obligated to serve people, namely by protecting their natural rights of life, liberty, and property. View "separation of power" Founding Fathers used his views when writing the Constitution. He described the separation of political power among a legislature, an executive, and a judiciary The Founding Fathers were heavily influenced by English philosopher Thomas Hobbes in establishing America s First Principles, most notably the recognition of unalienable rights, the Social Compact, and limited government. He is perhaps best known for his social contract theory, which outlined the conditions for legitimate government. One of Rousseau's major arguments was that the power to shape a society s laws belonged to the citizenry. Today, this is one of the central foundations of democratic government. Sample Test Questions for this unit: Can you answer these sample test questions about this unit correctly? Use information from ecampus/class websites, your online text, or general internet searches if need be. *The statement below was written by Baron de Montesquieu in 1748. Which constitutional principle is reflected in this statement? A. rule of law B. individual rights C. separation of powers D. federalism *Which political principle protects citizens from arbitrary and abusive uses of government power? A. eminent domain B. common good C. rule of law D. executive order *Read the quotes below: Which conclusion about the rule of law is BEST supported by these quotations? A. The rule of law leads to tyranny. B. Freedom and the rule of law cannot exist together. C. People in positions of power need not enact fair laws. D. The rule of law is necessary for limited government.
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 9 Influential Documents Magna Carta Who wrote the Magna Carta and in what year? Why was the Magna Carta written? How did the ideas of the Magna Carta influence colonial ideals of democracy? Mayflower Compact When was the Mayflower Compact written and by who? How did the ideas of the Mayflower Compact influence colonial ideas of democracy? The English Bill of Rights When was the English Bill of Rights written and by who? How did the ideas of the English Bill of Rights influence colonial ideals of democracy? Thomas Paine s Common Sense Who wrote Common Sense and in what year? How did the ideas of Common Sense influence colonial ideals of democracy? 1215 by the nobles to limit the power of the King and protect their rights (limited government) 1620 by the Pilgrims to establish a new government to protect the people (selfgovernment) 1689 by English Parliament to expand the rights of the people and limit the power of the King Thomas Paine in 1775 to advocate independence from England as common sense for the colonists. Vocabulary Review: Define the following terms in relation to the Federal Government: limited monarchy Type of government having a ruler who inherits the position, may rule for life, and is not all powerful. Limited by a constitution with a representative democracy. self-government assent oppression self-evident debt Shay s Rebellion document compact authority process ensure government of a country by its own people (democracy) the expression of approval or agreement prolonged cruel or unjust treatment or control. not needing to be demonstrated or explained; obvious. (natural rights are self-evident ) Owing something, usually money Armed uprising by farmers during the Articles of Confederation Something written An agreement Power to give orders How something happens To make certain
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 10 retain To keep tyranny taxes cruel and oppressive government or rule. Money paid to the government Sample Test Questions for this unit: Can you answer these sample test questions about this unit correctly? Use information from ecampus/class websites, your online text, or general internet searches if need be. *The following passage is from a historical account by William Bradford, a signer of the Mayflower Compact. *How did the Magna Carta influence the colonists' views of government? Based on this passage, what decision was made by the colony? A. The colonists established a limited monarchy. B. The colonists established an autocracy. C. The colonists chose to be ruled by natural law. D. The colonists chose self-government. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A. It gave them the idea that everyone is entitled to certain natural rights. B. It led them to create a government based on a separation of powers among different branches. C. It established the idea that government power should be limited. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- English Policies leading to the Declaration of Independence Research each event/action to the left and describe how each of the events contributed to the colonists pushing for independence. Be sure to include the dates of each event and the influence each event/action had on the colonies. The French and Indian War Cost a lot of money which the King wanted to collect from the colonies
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 11 The Proclamation of 1763 Expanded the kings control of the colonies and put more troops on their lands. Led to more taxes. The Stamp Act and Colonial Boycotting A tax on the colonies which required a stamp on all documents. The colonists boycotted, or refused to buy English goods which led to England repealing the tax.
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 12 The Quartering Act Allowed the King to put British troops in the homes of colonists which would cost them money instead of him. The Townshend Acts A tax on many goods colonists relied on and angered them The Boston Massacre Protesting colonists were shot by British troops
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 13 The Tea Act A tax on tea that would require the colonists to buy from only one provider. (un unfair monopoly) The Boston Tea Party Colonist reacted to the Tea Act by destroying tons of British Tea
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 14 The Coercive ( Intolerable ) Acts England responds by passing laws (like closing Boston Harbor) that will hurt the colonists and stop them from rebelling The First Continental Congress As a response to the Intolerable Acts, the colonies decide to meet and come up with a letter to send the King The Second Continental Congress Based on the King s reaction to their letter, the colonies meet again and decide to declare their independence
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 15 Sample Test Questions for this unit: Can you answer these sample test questions about this unit correctly? Use information from ecampus/class websites, your online text, or general internet searches if need be. *Below is a Headline from a 1774 newspaper. *How did the British reaction to the Colonists' protests change over time from the Stamp Act (1765) to the Intolerable Acts (1774)? A. The British allowed the colonists to determine their own rights. B. The British reacted less and less harshly to the colonists' protests. C. The British reacted more and more harshly to the colonists' protests. D. The British reacted harshly at first, then gave into the colonists' protests as the years went on. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Which of the following was a response of the British government after the event described above? *The image below depicts an event that took place in Boston Harbor. A. It passed the Intolerable Acts, closing Boston Harbor. B. It recognized colonial grievances and agreed not to pass any more taxes. C. It ordered troops to fire on colonial demonstrators in a public square of Boston. D. It declared the colonists to be in a state of open rebellion and outside the King's protection. What was the primary purpose of this event? A. to protest their being taxed without their consent B. to protest the high cost of British goods C. to protest British involvement in the French and Indian war D. to protest the quartering of troops in colonists' own homes The Declaration of Independence Vocabulary Review: Define the following terms in relation to the Federal Government: Unalienable Rights that can t be taken away Grievance Abolish Abdicate Inhabitant Endow Endeavor Tyrant Complaints To get rid of To quit being King Someone who lives in an area To give try hard to do or achieve something. A cruel ruler
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 16 Levy Declaration Liberty To tax To state something freedom Purpose of the Declaration of Independence 1. What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence? (Why did the colonists write it?) For the colonists to get rid of the King and govern themselves Breaking Down the Document Directions: Match up each quote below (in the left column) with the image you think fits best (in the right column.) Then, explain why you picked the image you did to match up with each quote. 1. We hold these truths to be selfevident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it Image Set A This quote best matches with image E. EXPLAIN WHY YOU PICKED THE IMAGE YOU DID TO MATCH UP WITH THIS QUOTE: 2. He has plundered our seas, ravaged our coasts, burnt our towns, and destroyed the lives of our people. Image B He has abdicated Government here, by declaring us out of his Protection and waging War against us. These quotes best match with image H. EXPLAIN WHY YOU PICKED THE IMAGE YOU DID TO MATCH UP WITH THIS QUOTE:
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 17 3. He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Image Set C Consent of our legislatures. For Quartering large bodies of armed troops among us These quotes best matches with image A. EXPLAIN WHY YOU PICKED THE IMAGE YOU DID TO MATCH UP WITH THIS QUOTE: 4. For cutting off our Trade with all parts of the world This quote best matches with image C. EXPLAIN WHY YOU PICKED THE IMAGE YOU DID TO MATCH UP WITH THIS QUOTE: Image D 5. For depriving us in many cases, of the benefit of Trial by Jury. This quote best matches with image D. EXPLAIN WHY YOU PICKED THE IMAGE YOU DID TO MATCH UP WITH THIS QUOTE: Image E 6. For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent This quote best matches with image B. EXPLAIN WHY YOU PICKED THE IMAGE YOU DID TO MATCH UP WITH THIS QUOTE:
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 18 7. He has dissolved Representative Houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people. Image F He has refused for a long time, after such dissolutions, to cause others to be elected, whereby the Legislative Powers, incapable of Annihilation, have returned to the People at large for their exercise; the State remaining in the meantime exposed to all the dangers of invasion from without, and convulsions within. These quotes best match with image G. EXPLAIN WHY YOU PICKED THE IMAGE YOU DID TO MATCH UP WITH THIS QUOTE: Image G 8. In every stage of these Oppressions We have petitioned for Redress in the most humble terms: Our repeated Petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince, whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, is unfit to be the ruler of a free people. This quote best matches with image F. EXPLAIN WHY YOU PICKED THE IMAGE YOU DID TO MATCH UP WITH THIS QUOTE: Image H Sample Test Questions for this unit: Can you answer these sample test questions about this unit correctly? Use information from ecampus/class websites, your online text, or general internet searches if need be.
2 nd quarter Civics Study Guide Page 19 *Below is an amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Which colonial complaint from the Declaration of Independence does the amendment reflect? *Which of the following was one of the grievances listed in the Declaration of Independence? A. making wealthy merchants pay higher taxes B. denying colonists the right to a trial by jury C. subjecting colonists to cruel punishment D. showing favoritism to certain colonies ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The passage below comes from the Declaration of Independence. A. The King required the colonists to provide food and shelter for the British military. B. The King required the colonists to provide protection from the Native Americans. C. The King required the colonists to register to be soldiers in the British military. D. The King required the colonists to pay taxes on domestic and imported goods. According to this passage, what is the principle role of government? A. to promote greater social equality B. to protect the natural rights of citizens C. to glorify the ruler in the eyes of the Creator D. to help individuals cooperate against the forces of nature