EOC CLOSED REVIEW NOTES
Citizens are either natural born or naturalized. Citizens who wish to be naturalized may go through the naturalization process. Naturalization: be at least 18 yrs old, live in the US for 5 years, be able to read/write/speak English, be of good moral character Naturalization Process: Interview, Take the Citizenship Test, attend naturalization ceremony and swear allegiance to the Constitution
Obligations 1. Obey the law 2. Attend jury duty 3. Pay taxes 4. Defend the nation 5. Attend school
Responsibilities: 1. Be informed and vote 2. Respect the rights and property of others 3. Volunteer and contribute to the common good
All citizens participate in government. There are no representatives in government: The citizens vote on everything! All citizens can create public policy if they want to. Example: In ancient Athens, Greece, they held assemblies where citizens voted to pass laws.
Like direct democracy, all citizens participate in government People elect representatives who vote on laws for the citizens Representatives answer to the people through regular elections Representatives are also usually held accountable by a constitution
A form of government in which political power is controlled by one individual such as a monarch, dictator, emperor, etc. We re going to talk about two kinds of autocracy Monarchs! Dictators!
Rule by kings, queens, princes, and princesses sometimes by other names, but always MONARCHS! Leaders usually gain their power because their parents were rulers too. Some modern monarchies like Spain and Japan have constitutions.
In a dictatorship, power is not inherited, but is acquired by force (military or political) Dictators have absolute control over the lives of their citizens and usually people are not allowed to voice their negative opinions North Korea s leader Kim Jong Un is considered a dictator
Rule by few Power can be based on several things: Military strength = Military Junta Family power = Aristocracy Religious control = Theocratic Oligarchy Oligarchies can often come from or lead to other forms of government (like autocracies)
Economic system characterized by social ownership and cooperative management of the means of production. Steps to a Utopian Society: 1. Capitalism 2. Socialism 3.Communism
A totalitarian system of government in which a single authoritarian party controls state owned means of production. A theory or system of social organization based on the holding of all property in common, actual ownership being ascribed to the community as a whole or to the state.
No government at all In an anarchy there is no government to make or enforce laws.
Federal System: power is shared between the central government and the states Ex: USA, Brazil Confederal System: power lies with the independent states Ex: European Union, Articles of Confederation
Unitary System: power lies with the central government and is delegated to the states Ex: Cuba, Dictatorship Parliamentary System: power lies with a parliament which is led by a prime minister Ex: Sweden, United Kingdom
Limited the kings power No longer allowed to tax nobles w/out their consent Equal treatment under the law and trial by one s peers Established limited government and rule of law Strongly influenced the writers of the Constitution and the Declaration of Independence
Further limited the power of the king. Monarchs could not establish their own courts or act as judges. Granted Englishmen more freedoms 1. Inalienable civil and political rights 2. Right to bear arms 3. Impose fine or punishment without a trial 4. No cruel and unusual punishment or excessive bail
Pilgrims needed a form of government to survive in Plymouth, Massachusetts 1620. (seeking religious freedom) Wrote a compact or agreement that was signed by all the men aboard the Mayflower. An agreement to choose leaders and work together to make their own laws for their new colony. Direct Democracy and self-government in colonial America
Developed the idea that the power of government should be divided into branches. Separation of Powers: no one branch has too much control.
All people are born equal with certain Godgiven, natural rights. Natural Rights: are the rights to life, to freedom, and to own property.
Pamphlet meant to ignite the desire among the colonists for independence. It was Common Sense to want their rights and to fight for them!
1. French and Indian War 2. To pay for the war the King taxed the colonists without their consent (No taxation without representation!!) 3. Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Tea Act, Quartering Act, Intolerable acts
Boston Massacre-1770 5 colonist are killed by British Troops Boston Tea Party-1773 Colonists dump 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor England closes the harbor to punish colonists!
Colonists are fed up with Great Britain s punishments. A letter is written to King George III asking him to abolish the Intolerable Acts and to restore their rights as English men.
Created the Continental Army to represent the 13 colonies- George Washington chosen as the commander. Delegates began to assume the authority of a Congress (legislature). Decided to declare independence from England and draft the Declaration of Independence!!!
Preamble: why they wrote the document Statement of Rights: natural rights-the desired relationship between the people and the government List of Grievances: what the king had done to justify their need to break free of England Statement of Independence: To the world-we are free!
First constitution of the U.S.A. The 13 states would work together to deal with large scale issues such as creating an army and dealing with foreign relations. But they were each separate (sovereign) and able to make decisions regarding their own state.
Problems: Congress had no power to regulate trade. Congress had no power to enforce laws. No single leader or group directed government policy. No national court system existed. Congress could not pass laws without the approval of 9 states. The Articles could not be changed without the agreement of all 13 states. Congress had no power to collect taxes.
It brought up the question, Could the government maintain law and order? Now people were calling for a stronger national government.
Well educated Political experience None were women, Native Americans, or African Americans
George Washington was chosen to guide the convention. Each state had only one vote All of the work would be kept secret Delegates decided to write an entirely new plan for government.
2 Houses for Congress 2 Senators from every state (equal representation) House of Reps would depend on the population of the state (proportional representation)
Supported the Constitution Believed that federal law (national) should be supreme over state law.
Opposed the Constitution Feared that a strong national government would ignore the rights of the states Feared that a strong national government would favor the wealthy few over the common people
Hamilton, Madison, Jay They were essays written to defend the Constitution.
Provide a plan for government.
Goal of the Preamble Form a more perfect union Establish Justice Insure domestic Tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general Welfare Secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity Goal in Simple Terms To unite the states so they can act as a single nation, for the good of all To make sure that all citizens are treated equally To provide peace and order To be ready militarily to protect the country from attack To help people live healthy, happy, prosperous lives To guarantee the basic rights of all Americans and future generations
Article 1: Outlines the legislative branch- 2 house made up of Senate/House of Reps (lawmaking body) Article 2: Outlines the executive branch- (carries out the laws) -President and Vice President (how they are elected and how they can be removed)-lists Pres. powers Article 3: Outlines the judicial branchinterprets the laws and sees that they are carried out fairly (1 Supreme Court and lower courts)
Article 4: Explains the relationship between the states and National Government (federalism) Article 5: Describes when and how the Constitution can be changed (amendments) Article 6: Declares the Constitution the Supreme Law of the Land Article 7: Describes how the Constitution was to be ratified
There are 27 amendments to the Constitution and the first 10 are called The Bill of Rights.
The Framers understood that the Constitution was delicately balanced. Therefore, they made sure that it could not be changed without the overwhelming support of the people.
Step 1: Propose an amendment to the Constitution (Done by 2/3rds of Congress or National Convention) Step 2: 3/4ths of the states legislatures must ratify the change
1. Popular Sovereignty 2. Limited Government and Rule of Law 3. Separation of Powers 4. Checks and Balances 5. Federalism
The power of the government lies with the people.
The government can only do what the people allow it to do. (limits the power of federal and state gov) The law applies to EVERYONE
Separating the legislative, executive, and judicial task of government. Each task has it s own branch.
Each branch of government is able to check or limit the power of the other 2 branches in a number of ways.
Power is shared by the national government and the states. Each level of gov has independent authority over people at the same time.
First 10 amendments to the Constitution. Proposed by James Madison States would not ratify the Constitution till they knew a Bill of Rights would be added!!
Freedom of religion, press, petition, speech, and assembly.
Congress cannot establish or set up an official religion as the faith of the US (Establishment Clause) Protects the way people express their faith, they may express it any way they want. Many people who fist settled here did so because they were seeking religious freedom.
We can state our opinions, in public or private, without fear of being punished by the gov. This includes what we say, what we see on radio/televisions, internet messages, art, music, and clothing.
The government cannot censor news reports and cannot prevent information from being published or broadcast. Originally referred to printed materials, but today it includes all media sources.
Right to gather in groups for any reason, as long as the groups are peaceful. Ex: meetings, rallies, clubs, political parties, labor unions, celebrations, parades But, gov can make rules about when and where these activities are held.
Gives us the right to express ourselves to the government if we are unhappy. Ex: letter, email, petition to Congress, etc.
The rights of one individual must be balanced against the rights of others. When there is a conflict, the rights of the community come first. Your individual rights should not interfere with the rights and safety of others.
Slander: Spoken lies that are intended on harming someone s reputation. Libel: Printed lies that are intended on harming someone s reputation.
Cannot speak or write in a way that would directly lead to a criminal act. Treason-cannot speak or write in a way that leads to efforts to overthrow the government by force.
Protects the people s right to bear arms, but gov can pass gun control laws.
Prohibits the quartering of soldiers in your home.
Protects us against unreasonable searches and seizures. No gov. officer can search a person s property at will, they must have probable cause. Officers must have a search warrant. Search warrant allows officers to search a suspect s home, business, or other property. Then they can take items for evidence.
1. No one can be tried for a serious crime without an indictment. 2. No double jeopardy (can t be tried twice for the same crime) 3. Right to remain silent. 4. No one can be denied life, liberty or property without due process, which means they must follow a set of legal procedures. 5. Protects property rights and limits the government s power to take private property for public use.
1. A person must be clearly told what the charges against them are. 2. They accused must be allowed a trial by jury. 3. Trial must be speedy and public. 4. The accused person has the right to hear and question all witnesses against them. 5. The accused has the right to an attorney.
Guarantees the right to a jury trial in most cases as long as the property being disputed is worth more than $20.
1. The accused are protected against excessive bails and fines. 2. Protects the accused against cruel and unusual punishment. Punishment must fit the crime.
All other rights not spelled out in the Constitution are kept by the people.
1. Power of the federal gov is limited. 2. Any powers not specifically given to the federal gov in the Constitution belong to the states or the people.
1865- outlawed slavery
1868- written to protect African Americans from black codes. Defined citizenship as anyone that was born or naturalized in the U.S. Every state must provide its citizens with equal protection under the laws Government could not take someone s life, liberty, or property without due process.
1870- No state can deny a person the right to vote because of race Guaranteed suffrage for African American men
This amendment gave women the right to vote.
States that no president can run for more than 2 consecutive terms of office.
This amendment made poll taxes illegal in national elections and two years later they were banned in state elections too.
In the event that the president cannot carry out his duties the vice president will be sworn in. He will then chose a new vice president that will have to be approved by the House and Senate.
This amendment guaranteed the right to vote to citizens 18 yrs old and up. If you were old enough to enlist in the armed forces and fight for our country, the you should be able to vote for your leaders.
Makes the laws Bicameral (2 Houses)
100 members Elected for 6 year terms Legislative duty: make laws Nonlegislative duties: 1. Approve treaties 2. Approve presidential appointments (Supreme Court, Ambassadors, Cabinet Members, Federal Judges) 3. Hold impeachment trials
435 members Elected for 2 year terms Legislative Duty: make laws (all bills on spending start in the House) Nonlegislative Duties: 1. Charge presidents with impeachment
1. Sponsor 2. Appropriate Committee 3. Floor Debate 4. Vote 5. Switch Houses 6. Committee 7. Debate 8. Vote 9. President to sign or veto
Expressed Powers: are written clearly in the Constitution (declare war, establish post offices, regulate commerce, coin money) Implied Powers: are not written in the Constitution but are assumed to be the powers of Congress due to the Necessary and Proper clause or Elastic clause (military draft, video game ratings)
Congress can override a presidential veto with 2/3rds vote in both houses Congress can impeach a president or Supreme Court justice The senate can approve or reject presidential appointments
Carry out the laws Led by the president, vice president, and 15 cabinet members Elected to 4 yr term
1. Chief Executive: carry out the laws 2. Chief Diplomat: lead foreign policy team 3. Commander in Chief: lead all military 4. Head of State: ceremonial leader, symbol of USA 5. Economic Leader: watch out for nations economy 6. Party Leader: leads his political party 7. Legislative Leader: propose legislation to congress
President can veto a bill passed by congress President can appoint Supreme Court justices, ambassadors, cabinet members, etc.
President leads the foreign policy team 1. Make treaties 2. Provide foreign aid 3. Set up trade embargos/tarriffs 4. Use military force
US belongs to international organizations like NATO and the United Nations to deal with international conflicts and crisis US cannot belong to organizations like the European Union or the Red Cross but we work closely with them
Interpret the laws
Original Jurisdiction: court hears a case for the first time Appellate Jurisdiction: court hears a case based on appeal
Supreme Court US Appeals Court District Court
Established by the US Constitution 3 branches of government FL Constitution set up local governments States are given Reserved Powers by the 10 th Amendment (ex: set up public schools, administer elections)
Legalized segregation in the south. Separate but equal
Ended segregation! Separate was not equal.
Established judicial review Judicial Review: Supreme Court can review the constitutionality of cases, laws, and the actions of the other two branches
Miranda Rights Due process
Rule of Law Executive Privilege
All people accused of a crime are guaranteed a lawyer
The Supreme Court halted the election of 2000 re-count in Florida. 14 th Amendment was being violated because there was no guarantee that equal treatment and fundamental fairness are satisfied. Controversial because many felt that this decision should have been made by the state.
Extended due process protection to juveniles.
Schools have a right to censor sensitive material in school published materials.
Civil : disputes between parties (Ex: personal injury, contracts, wills, divorce) Criminal : all cases dealing with a crime (Ex: robbery, battery, perjury) Military: laws dealing with military issues and personnel (Ex: leaving post, disobeying commanding officer) Constitutional: laws dealing with constitutional rights and issues (Ex: treason, discrimination, eminent domain)
2 Party System Liberal/Left/Democrat Conservative/Right/Republican
The Republican Party is considered the more conservative party. Issues: supports military/defense spending, less government involvement with the economy, business, and society.
The Democratic Party is considered the more liberal party. Issues: government support of social programs, more government involvement in the lives of Americans
Popular Vote: votes cast by all Americans in November Electoral College (Candidates need 270 to win!)
Types of Media: newspapers, blogs, magazines, TV news, radio, internet, books Bias: good or bad feelings about a person or group that affects judgment Media can be bias and can affect Americans views depending on how they deliver the information.
An organization that supports causes that affect the lives of Americans. Ex: NRA, AARP, ACLU, ASPCA
Represent an interest group and contact lawmakers and officials directly to influence their policy making.