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Final ReviewUS Government
What does it mean when a government has a
unicameral system?
The government has a single legislative branch
Why were the Articles of Confederation weak and
ineffective?Congress did not have the power to levy or collect
taxes
Congress did not have the power to regulate trade
Congress did not have the power to enforce laws it passed or abide by the Articles of Confederation
What situation(s) influenced the American Colonists desire for
independence?England primarily left the colonies to develop
on their own socially and politically
The French And Indian War eliminated the colonists need for protection created a large
war debt
England began taxing the Colonies on tea, sugar, glass, paper, and other products
What Thomas Paine work argued that the monarchy was a corrupt form of government and inspired colonists
to declare independence from England?
Common Sense
Who originated the philosophy that people enter a contact with
government to protect their natural rights and if the government did not fulfill the contract the people could
change that government?
John Locke
What did the Connecticut Compromise propose?
A bicameral legislature
Membership of the House of Representatives be based on population
Revenue laws must begin in the House
Each State would have two seats in the Senate
What did the Federalists claim would result if a strong central government was not
established?
Anarchy (political disorder)
What are the seven divisions of the Constitution called?
Articles
What term describes a change or addition to the
Constitution?
Amendment
What uprising gathered a force of 1,200 farmers who tried to overtake the federal
arsenal in Springfield, Massachusetts?
Shay’s Rebellion
What two concepts prevent any single branch of the
government from becoming too powerful?
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
While many presidential powers are vague, what are the specified powers of the President
under the Constitution?
Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces
Pardon people convicted of federal crimes
Appoint ambassadors, judges, and top officials
Deliver State of the Union address
What is an example of the President as a legislator?
The President proposes legislative agenda and spells out the details of
programs
How are Amendments proposed?
A two-thirds vote of each house of Congress
A petition by two-thirds vote from the states for a national
convention
How many Amendments to the Constitution have been
ratified?
27
What is an example of a limitation on First Amendment rights of expression?
Slander
Libel
Endangering the nation
Yelling “fire” in a crowded theater
What are the numbered and specific powers granted to
Congress by the Constitution called?
Expressed or enumerated powers
What term describes the process if the President dies
in office or is unable to perform his duties?
Presidential succession
What are the 13th, 14th, and 15th Amendments known
as?
Civil War Amendments
What do police need in order to search and/or arrest a
citizen?
A search or arrest warrant
What are powers that the Constitution specifically
prohibits called?
Denied powers
What were fees charged to voters called before they were banned by the 24th
Amendment?
Poll taxes
What term describes a count of the population conducted
every 10 years?
Census
What is the power of the states to send criminals back to the state they are wanted
in called?
Extradition
What are powers granted to the federal government that are not specifically stated in
the Constitution?
Implied powers
After reapportionment, what term describes the process
of setting up new district lines?
Redistricting
What are written agreements between two states called?
Interstate compacts
What Amendment established that members of
Congress could not vote themselves a pay raise?
27th Amendment
What term describes a proposed law that passes
both houses of Congress and is sent to the President to be
signed?
Bill
What does “pro tempore” mean?
For a time being
What term describes the minimum number of
members who must vote in order for a legislative body to
take action?
Quorum
What term describes the closed-door meetings that elect the Speaker of the
House?
Caucus
What term describes a parliamentary tactic where a Senator keeps talking until the majority of the Senate
abandons a bill or agrees to modify it?
Filibuster
What term describes congressmen who are
already in office?
Incumbents
What is the purpose of a Congressional committee?
Allows Congress to divide the work
Lawmakers can become specialists
Allows committees to weed through all the bills introduced
Allows for public hearings to keep public informed
What kind of assistant handles requests for help
from constituents?
Case worker
What kind of assistant runs a lawmaker’s office, supervises
their schedule, and gives advice on political matters?
Administrative assistant
What system gives the member of the majority party with the longest continuous
service the chairmanship of a committee?
The seniority system
What type of committee is made up of members from
both the House and the Senate?
Joint committee
What is an example of a power denied to Congress?
Denying Bill of Rights
Suspend habeas corpus
Pass bills of attainder
Pass ex post facto laws
What term describes freedom from persecution for a witness whose testimony
ties them to illegal activities?
Immunity
What term describes a witness who lies under oath?
Perjury
What term describes the power Congress uses to
review or cancel actions of the executive agencies that
carry out the laws?
Legislative veto
What is the line item veto?
It allows the President to remove portions of a bill he
does not like prior to signing the bill
What is the yearly financial plan for the government?
National budget
Respectively, what kind of resolution covers matters that apply to only one house of Congress and what kind of resolution is passed by both houses?
Simple resolution
Joint resolution
What kind of power gives Congress the authority to
investigate?
Implied powers
What is an example of “organization as a cause of
conflict”?
The use of a filibuster or other rule of procedure to slow a bill
Committee chairpersons use their influence to slow or kill a bill
What happens to a bill after it is passed both houses of Congress?
It can be signed by the President and it becomes a law
The President keeps the bill for 10 days and it becomes law without a signature
The President can veto the bill and send it back to Congress
If there are fewer than 10 days left in session of Congress the President can refuse to sign it and a
pocket-veto occurs
How is a bill introduced?
A bill is proposed and introduced in a house of Congress
In the House of Representatives, the bill is dropped into the hopper
In the Senate the presiding officer must recognize Senator who presents the bill
A bill is given a first reading, title and a number
What Committee in the House of Representatives
works on tax laws?
Ways and Means committee
What are uncontrollable funds that continue from year
to year called?
Entitlements
What is an appropriation?
An approval of government spending
What are political fundraising groups established by
corporations, labor groups, and special interest groups
called?
Political Action Committees
What effect does political party membership have on
Congressmen?
Political membership has a major influence on voting
What are representatives of interest groups called?
Lobbyists
What established the current term limit for the President?
The 22nd Amendment established a two term or
10 year maximum
What term describes when lawmakers agree to support
each other’s projects?
Logrolling
What kinds of things are constituents allowed to ask
lawmakers to address?
Constituents can ask lawmakers to address any
issue anytime
What is an example of a public works bill?
Building a post office
Creating a dam
Opening a military base
Mass-transit system projects
What established Presidential succession?
25th Amendment
What term describes the vote cast for President?
Electoral vote
What is a role of the Vice-President?
Preside over the Senate
Assume the role of President if the current President dies in office
Help decide if the President is disabled
Support the President’s programs
What is the official swearing in of the President-Elect, which occurs at noon on January 20th in the year following the Presidential
election?
Inauguration
Who confirms Cabinet appointments?
Senate
What three factors can limit the Cabinet’s role?
Conflicting loyalties, secrecy, and trust
What was one of the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation that inspired Article II of the Constitution?
The lack of an executive branch
What Cabinet office was created after the attacks on
the Pentagon and World Trade Center?
Homeland Security
What power is granted to the President by the Constitution?
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
Ensure the laws of Congress are “faithfully executed”
Appoint members of the Cabinet and Federal court positions
Deliver the State of the Union Address
What executive office is responsible for preparing the
national budget?
Office of Management and Budget
What was the ruling in Youngstown Sheet and Tube
v. Sawyer?
The President cannot assume powers of
Congress that Congress is unwilling to assume
What term describes a postponement of legal
punishment?
Reprieve
How can the President use the military?
Put down rebellions within the United States
Send a special military force into a foreign country for a rescue operation
Send a major force of troops to a foreign country to fight a long protracted conflict
Launch and use atomic weapons
How can the President become isolated?
The President falls out of touch with the people
People do not tell the President when they disagree
The White House Staff has the most access to the President and can influence him more
heavily
White House Staff can limit who has access to the President
How does popular opinion of the President affect how Congress
receives legislation the President proposes?
Negative public opinion about a President can have a negative
affect on how Congress receives proposed legislation
What term describes a reward for loyal political
service?
Patronage
How many Cabinet departments are in existence
today?
15
What term describes purchasing materials?
Procurement
What term describes agencies that make rules for
large industries and businesses?
Regulatory Commissions
What term describes the right of the President to refuse to
provide information to Congress or to a court?
Executive privilege
What act created the present civil service system?
The Pendleton Act
What term describes whatever action the
government takes or does not take?
Public policy
What term describes an order that will stop a
particular action or enforce a rule or regulation?
Injunction
What term describes a group of 6 - 12 people that
determine guilt or innocence?
Petit jury
What term describes a court hearing of 16 - 23 individuals
to determine if enough evidence exists to issue a
formal accusation charging a person of a crime?
Grand jury
What court ruling established the separate but equal
doctrine?
Plessy v. Ferguson
What term describes the explanations of Supreme
Court rulings?
Opinion
What court decision ruled racial segregation of schools
was unconstitutional?
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
What term describes when the all of the justices of the Supreme Court agree on a decision and reasoning?
Unanimous opinion
What is a limit on the types of cases the Supreme Court can hear?
The court can only hear a case when the decision will actually make a difference
The plaintiff must have suffered real harm
There must be a substantive federal question
The court generally does not answer political questions
What type of opinion disagrees with the majority
opinion?
Dissenting opinion
Respectively, what case established separate but equal and
what case overturned it?
Plessy v. Ferguson
Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka
What portion of the Constitution guarantees our
basic rights?
Bill of Rights
Which Amendment defines citizenship and guarantees
“due process”?
14th Amendment
What term describes a deciding vote on a case?
Swing vote
What limits how people can worship?
Practice of religion is unlimited as long as it does not violate laws protecting
the health, safety, or morals of the community
What does the free exercise clause state?
The government may not unduly interfere with the free exercise of religion
What term describes speech urging resistance to lawful authority or advocating the
overthrow of the government?
Seditious speech
How has the Supreme Court ruled about the Internet and
freedom of speech?
Speech on the Internet falls under the same guidelines of as any other freedom of
speech
What term describes a public veto of speech and assembly rights for unpopular groups
by claiming the demonstration will result in
violence?
Heckler’s veto
What protections are granted to aliens in the United
States?
Aliens are granted the same protections under the
Bill of Rights as United States citizens
What Supreme Court case ruled that African-Americans,
enslaved or free, were not citizens and could not bring
suit in a federal court?
Dred Scott v. Sanford
What term describes the principle that citizenship is granted based upon the
citizenship of ones parents?
Jus Sanguinis
Respectively, what kind of defamatory speech is spoken
and what kind is written?
Slander
Libel
What term describes when a person gives up their
citizenship?
Expatriation
Which Amendment protects persons from forced self-
incrimination?
5th Amendment
Which Amendment protects citizens from unlawful
searches and seizures?
4th Amendment
What is the current Supreme Court doctrine on the right of assembly on public property?
The government can require permits and other
restrictions for parades and demonstrations
What term describes being tried twice for the same
crime?
Double jeopardy
Where is the guarantee of equal protection under the
law found in the Constitution?
14th Amendment
What Supreme Court case ruled that with reasonable suspicion, school officials
could search students, their property, or their lockers
without a warrant?
New Jersey v. T.L.O.
What doctrine was used to justify segregation in the
United States for almost 60 years?
Separate but equal
What term describes awarding government jobs to
minorities and women to make up for past discrimination?
Affirmative action
What term describes basic beliefs about things such as
government?
Ideologies
What Supreme Court case decided that classifications based on gender must be
reasonable and not arbitrary?
Reed v. Reed
What is a basic political unit called?
Precinct
What is it the term for the candidates a political party chooses for president and vice-president at a national
convention?
The ticket
What do political parties look for when they recruit
candidates?
Someone who can win elections
What day is Election Day for the president?
The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November
What state has the most Electoral College votes (55)?
California
What is the legal voting age in the United States?
18 years old
What Amendment granted woman’s suffrage?
19th Amendment
What was the belief that colonists should have the right to elect delegates to make laws and conduct government known as?
Representative government
What was a key component of the Declaration of Independence?
Justification for their desire to break with England that was rooted in the writings of
philosophers such as Locke and Paine
Specific complaints against King George to justify the colonies break from England
A declaration on the colonists’ determination to separate from Great Britain
What term describes voters who do not consider
themselves Democrats or Republican?
Independent voters
What were The Mayflower Compact, Great
Fundamentals, and Fundamental Orders of
Connecticut early examples of?
Written Constitutions
What was the primary purpose of Congress under
the Articles of Confederation?
Foreign affairs and defense
What did growing problems, such as economic instability,
territorial quarrels, and a weak central government
demonstrate?
The need for a stronger government
What did The Virginia Plan and New Jersey Plan propose
compromises concerning?
The organization and composition of the
legislature in the new government
What was a primary factor in increased colonial unity?
Increase American sense of community and hostility
towards British Oppression
What suggestion solved the debate of counting slaves for
voting and taxation purposes?
The Three-Fifths Compromise
What is the idea that power is split between national and
state governments known as?
Federalism
What does the Supremacy Clause state?
That the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties are the supreme
law of the land
What power gives the federal court system, and ultimately
the Supreme Court, the ability to declare laws invalid
if they violate the Constitution?
Judicial review
What clause gives Congress the power to make all laws “necessary and proper”?
The Elastic Clause
What did the Federalists promise to do to gain support
for the new constitution?
Introduce a Bill of Rights as the first action of the new
government
What group of employees under the Executive Branch is responsible for day to day running of the government?
Federal bureaucracy
What are the first ten Amendments called?
The Bill of Rights
What is the philosophy that the courts should avoid
taking the initiative on social and political questions?
Judicial restraint
What is the process of approving an Amendment after it has been proposed
called?
Ratification
What does the 5th Amendment guarantee?
Due process
Eminent Domain
Indictment by a grand jury
Double Jeopardy
What Amendment protects citizens from searches and seizures without probable
cause?
4th Amendment
What are powers that are granted to the federal and
expressly stated in the Constitution called?
Expressed Powers
What Supreme Court case upheld the concept that in
conflicts between the federal and state laws, federal law is
supreme?
MuCulloch v. Maryland
What are powers not given to the federal government
called?
Reserved powers
What is it called when government spending never
exceeds its income?
A balanced budget
Respectively, what Amendment gave women the right to vote and what Amendment was
repealed by the 21st Amendment?
19th Amendment
18th Amendment
What kind of legislature does the United States use which is composed of two houses?
Bicameral
What term describes the process of redrawing district lines to gain political power?
Gerrymandering
What term describes the people that Congressmen
represent?
Constituents
What term describes an official vote of disapproval in
the House of Representatives?
Censure
What kind of laws and legal procedures are states not
allowed to enforce from other states?
Criminal laws
What term describes the process of reassigning the
number of representatives a state has after a census?
Reapportionment
What is the main purpose of the House Rules Committee?
To direct the flow of major legislation
What is a power of the Speaker of the House?
Presiding over House sessions
Appointing members to committees
Scheduling bills for action
Follows the Vice-President in presidential succession
What happens if a Senate vote is tied?
The Vice-President or president pro tempore
breaks the tie
How can a filibuster be stopped or prevented?
Cloture can be invoked that limits the time senators can
speak
What type of committee continues from one Congress
to the next?
Standing committee
What kind of assistant makes sure that a lawmaker is well informed about the bills they
must deal with?
Legislative assistant
What type of committee resolves conflicts when the House and the Senate pass
different versions of the same bill?
Conference committee
What are the Library of Congress, Congressional Budget Office, General Accounting Office, and
Government Printing Office examples of?
Support Agencies
What is the role of congressional staff?
Help congressmen handle the workload of Congress
Communicate with voters
Draft new bills
Write reports
Respectively, what is the power to make a formal
accusation of misconduct in office and who has the
exclusive right to that power?
Impeachment, the House of Representatives
In the Senate, what gets scheduled on the Calendar of
General Orders?
All bills for consideration
What is a legal order that a person must appear or
produce requested documents in court?
Subpoena
What term describes a willful obstruction of Congress?
Contempt
What is an example of a President’s emergency powers?
Franklin Roosevelt closed banks during the depression
Richard Nixon froze wages and prices to combat economic problems
Franklin Roosevelt exercised broad control over the economy during World War II
The President can declare martial law
What is the power of Congress to continuously review how effectively the
Executive Branch carries out laws Congress passes?
Legislative oversight
What term describes the President’s refusal to spend money on a program that the Congress has voted to fund?
Impoundment
What term describes party conflicts between the
President and Congress that grinds the government to a
halt?
Gridlock
Respectively, what term describes bills that deal with individual people or places and what term describes bills that deal with general matters
and apply to the entire nation?
Private bills
Public bills
What kind of rule forbids members to offer
Amendments to a bill on the House floor?
Closed rule
What happens to a bill once it reaches the floor of the House or Senate?
The bill is placed on a calendar for debate
Debate on the bill begins
The clerk gives a second reading of the entire bill
Amendments can be added to the bill
In which house of Congress do appropriations bills start?
The House of Representatives
What are taxes?
Money that people and businesses pay to support
the government
What term describes an attached provision on a
subject other than the one covered in the original bill?
Rider
How can Presidents influence Congress?
The President can use the media to influence public opinion
The President can give or withhold support to an individual
congressman
What kind of tactics do lobbyists use to influence Congressmen?
They provide lawmakers with information
They visit lawmakers in their office
They encourage constituents to write letters to lawmakers
They persuade lawmakers to vote for or against a specific issue
What do most constituents expect congressmen to
prioritize?
State or district issues
What term describes the process of helping a
constituent with a problem?
Casework
What is an example Presidential power?
Commander-in-Chief of the military
Appointing Cabinet members
Foreign Policy
Make sure laws are “faithfully executed”
What is appropriation of money for federal projects
that brings jobs to a state or district?
Pork-barrel legislation
Why do lawmakers spend time on casework?
It helps them get reelected
Casework oversees the Executive Branch
Casework provides a way for the average constituent to interact with the national
government
Casework keeps the lawmakers connected to their constituents
How is Presidential disability established?
The President can inform Congress of an inability to perform duties
The majority of the Cabinet informs Congress that the President is
disabled
What are the formal requirements to become President of the United
States?
Natural born citizen of the United States, 35 years old,
14 year residence
What term describes voters who directly vote for
President?
Electors
What group is composed of 15 secretaries, the Vice-President, and other top
officials?
Cabinet
What Cabinet secretaries make up the “inner Cabinet”?
State, Defense, Treasury, and Attorney General
What is the role of the Cabinet?
Cabinet members are responsible for the
executive department they head
What office consists of individuals and agencies that directly assist the President?
Executive Office of the President
What term describes the expressed will of the people?
Mandate
Which Article of the Constitution grants
Presidential powers?
Article II
What office did Congress create to advise the President and help
coordinate American military and foreign policy?
National Security Council
What term describes a release from legal
punishment?
Pardon
What is a pact between the President and another head
of state called?
Executive agreement
Which President was known as “The Great Communicato
r”?
President Reagan
What kinds of qualities do Presidents need to exercise leadership?
They must understand the public and be able to communicate
They must have a sense of timing and be open to new ideas
They must be able to compromise
They must have political courage
What term describes a rule that the President has issued that carries the weight of the
law?
Executive order
What term describes when a person does not technically hold the office of President,
but exercises power as though he was President?
De facto
How can Congress limit the powers of the President?
Overriding a Presidential veto
What term describes the reduction of the powers of
regulatory agencies?
Deregulation
What term describes the office of ambassadors in
foreign countries?
Embassy
What is the principle and practice of government
employment on the basis of open competitive
examination and merit?
Civil service system
What term describes the jurisdiction of a trial court?
Original jurisdiction
What court decision gave the Supreme Court the right of
judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
What term describes a formal accusation charging a person
with a crime?
Indictment
Which Article of the Constitution created the
Supreme Court?
Article III
Currently, how many justices serve on the Supreme
Court?
9
Respectively, who nominates, and who confirms Supreme Court nominees?
President
Senate
What term describes an order from the Supreme Court to a lower court to
send up records on a case for review?
Writ of Certiorari
What term describes when a court case serves as a model
on which to base other decisions in similar cases?
Precedent
What is a factor that limits the Supreme Court’s power?
The Supreme Court has no power of enforcement for its
decisions
How can the President influence the Supreme
Court?
Judicial appointments
Who presides over the Supreme Court during oral
arguments and in conference?
Chief Justice
What term describes fundamental freedoms?
Human rights
Which Amendment applies the guarantees contained in the Bill of Rights to state and
local governments?
14th Amendment
What term describes a coalition of justices that vote similarly on certain issues?
Bloc
What term describes the use of actions or symbols,
instead of words or speech, to express opinions?
Symbolic speech
What is the current ruling regarding saluting the flag in
schools?
Patriotism can be demonstrated without
forcing people to violate their religious beliefs
What term describes censorship of information
before it is published?
Prior restraint
What does the establishment clause state?
Congress shall make no law with regard to
establishing a national religion
What Amendment guarantees the right to
“peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a
redress of grievances?”
1st Amendment
What term describes when a judge bars the press from publishing certain types of
information about a pending court case?
Gag order
What theory states that First Amendment freedoms are
more fundamental than other freedoms and should not be
limited at all?
Preferred position doctrine
What type of alien is a person from a foreign nation
that comes to the United States without a legal
permit?
Illegal alien
What is a qualification to become a United States citizen?
Must have entered the country legally
Must have good moral character
Must declare support for the principles of American government
Must show basic knowledge of American history and government
What term describes the legal process by which a
person is granted the rights and privileges of a citizen?
Naturalization
What type of alien has migrated to the United States
permanently, but is not a citizen?
Resident alien
What judicial philosophy states that any evidence
obtained illegally may not be used at a trial?
Exclusionary rule
What right does the 6th Amendment guarantee?
The right to counsel
What Supreme Court case established that police must
read suspected criminals their rights?
Miranda V. Arizona
What movement tried to end segregation in the United
States through non-violent protests and sit-ins?
Civil rights movement
Which Amendment prohibits cruel and unusual
punishment?
8th Amendment
What term describes the principle that citizenship is granted to nearly all people born in the United States or
in American territories?
Jus Soli
What term describes the argument that more qualified
individuals lose out to individuals who are chosen
simply because of their race, ethnicity, or gender?
Reverse discrimination
What Amendment guarantees the right to vote regardless of race, color, or
previous condition of servitude?
15th Amendment
What term describes when individuals are treated
unfairly solely because of their race, gender, ethnic
group, age, physical disability or religion?
Discrimination
What term describes a group of people with broad common
interests who organize to win elections, control government
and influence government policies?
A political party
What term describes several parties that combine forces
to obtain a majority in a multi-party system of government?
Coalition government
What term describes a voter who does not support any
particular party?
Independent
What kinds of meetings do political parties hold?
Caucuses
Nominating conventions
What is the gathering of state and local party members every four years called?
A national convention
What system does the United States government use to rate documents in terms of
national security?
Security classification system
What kind of primary allows all voters to vote?
Open primary
Who is responsible for planning and creating
strategy for a presidential campaign?
The campaign manager
How many electoral votes does it take to win the
presidency?
270
What term describes the right to vote?
Suffrage
What is the statement of a political party’s beliefs,
principles, and positions on vital issues called?
A platform
What term describes a voter who only selects candidates
from their own party?
Straight-party ticket voting
What Amendment establishes the voting age in
the United States?
26th Amendment
