1. American Government Final Review

2. Theory behind US Government? Social Contract

3. When People are the source of Power? Popular Sovereignty

4. A Government based upon rule of law? Limited Government

5. Division of power between State and National Government? Federal Government

6. Rule by the Many? Democracy

7. Rule by one or a Few? Dictatorship

8. Two Types of Democracy Direct Indirect (representatives)

9. What part of the Constitution expresses popular sovereignty? Preamble

10. Three Branches of Government? Legislative (make) Executive (enforce) Judicial (interpret)

11. What keeps branches from becoming too powerful? Separation of Powers Checks and Balances

12. Separation of Powers Legislative Executive Judicial

13. Powers given only to National Government Exclusive Powers ( coin money, declare war)

14. These powers create most conflict between St. and Nat. Government. Implied Powers (not expressly written in the Constitution)

15. Electoral Votes Needed 270

16. When are electoral votes cast? December of election year--counted in January.

17. Steps to become President Primary/Caucus National Conventions General Election Electoral Vote

18. Total # of Electors? 538

19. Minimum electors from each State? 3 (two senators + # of representatives)

20. A Party Election is called what? Primary

21. Purpose of National Convention? Nominate Pres./VP. Candidates Choose Party Platform

22. A simple majority? 50% + 1

23. PARTY MEETINGS ARE CALLED? CAUCUSES

24. When the candidate receives the majority of the popular vote in a state? Winner-take-all

25. Who runs most campaigns? Candidate and his/her staff

26. What happens if no one wins enough electoral votes? The House selects President The Senate selects Vice President

27. T/F Popular vote winner can lose election Electoral Vote winner, wins election-- candidates must win in states that have most electoral votes

28. Voting Requirements in Texas 18 years old, US citizen registered 30 days prior to election resident of state and county

29. Number of Texas Electors 34 (2 Senators + 32 Representatives)

30. An example of a Presidential check on Congress Veto Pocket Veto

31. Congressional checks on President override veto (2/3 vote) Senate refuses to ratify an presidential nominee or a treaty

32. Essays written to encourage ratification of the Constitution Federalist Papers

33. The Ultimate Umpire? Supreme Court

34. Supreme Court check on Congress and the President Judicial Review

35. The Elastic Clause Necessary and Proper Clause that supports Implied Powers of our government

36. Formal Amendment Process Proposal (by Congress) Ratification (by States)

37. How are most changes in our Government made? Informally--by custom and tradition; political party practices; Supreme Ct. decisions and acts of Congress and the President

38. The two Major Political Parties Democratic Party Republican Party

39. Roles of Minor Parties Critics Innovators Spoilers

40. Role of Party “out of power” Watchdog

41. An Organization with a focused opinion on a single topic Special Interest Group

42. One Trend in Voting Split Ticket Voting

43. Main Source of Political Information Television

44. This group favors extreme change Radicals

45. This group believes government should be active in change Liberals

46. Motto of Liberals Freedom over Order Equality over Economic Freedom

47. This groups favors “status quo” Conservatives

48. Conservative Motto Order over Freedom Eco. Freedom over Equality

49. A belief that women are more likely to favor Dem. over Rep. Gender Gap

50. Special Interest Group that is opposed to gun control NRA

51. Pork Barrel Politics When members of Congress get federal funds for projects in their own districts

52. Drawing of district lines to favor the party or race in power Gerrymandering

53. Talking a Bill to Death Filibuster

54. Taking care of constituents’ needs Casework

55. Political Arms of special interest groups used to raise campaign money PACs

56. Committee used to settle differences of the two houses Conference Committee

57. What type of bill must start in the House of Rep.? Money Bills

58. Which house is based on population? House of Representatives

59. How many members are in the House of Representatives? 435

60. Which house has equal representation? Senate

61. This means “two houses” Bicameralism

62. Minimum # or Reps. from each State? One

63. To bring charges against an official in government Impeach

64. Why do incumbents have an advantage? more campaign money better known

65. Main Function of Congress? Lawmaking

66. Presidential Term 4years; can be elected 2xs--total ten years

67. Hierarchical arrangement of government doing specialized tasks Bureaucracy

68. Protections under 1st Amendment free speech freedom of religion freedom of press free to assemble and petition

69. Separation of Church and State Establishment Clause

70. Reading of your rights Miranda Rights

71. When illegal evidence is thrown out of court Exclusionary Rule

72. Case that ended Segregation Brown vs Board of Education in Topeka, Kansas

73. Term of a federal judge Life

74. Methods used to prevent African Americans from voting literacy tests poll taxes grandfather clauses white primaries