Civics FINAL EXAM Study Guide Name__________________________________ Class _______ EXAM DATE _________

Topics Covered w/ Textbook location: Citizenship – CH3 Types/Forms of Government – CH3

Foundations of American Govt. – CH4 U.S. Government – then and now – CH5 The Constitution

The Bill of Rights & Other Amendments – CH6 Legislative, Executive, Judicial Branches – CH 7, 8, 9

Types of Law & Trial Process – CH15/16 State & Local Govt. – CH13/14 Political Parties – CH10

Election Process – CH 11 Opinion & the Media – CH 12 Foreign Policy – CH8/25

Answer these questions in complete sentences on lined paper. *IMPORTANT* Use your notebook to help and write the notebook

page and/or textbook page that has the answer on it.

Citizenship

1. What are the two ways to be a legal U.S. citizen?

1.) born in the US/parents are citizens

2.) naturalization process

2. What is a naturalized citizen?

The legal process to become a citizen.

3. What are the steps to become a naturalized citizen?

1.) application (on intent) 2.) Talk with customs official 3.)citizenship exam 4.) attend ceremony

4. What are some of the responsibilities and duties of citizens? Name three of each.

Responsibilities:

be informed and vote

respect the rights and property of others

respect different opinions and ways of life

participate in government and your community

Duties:

Obey the law

Defend the nation

Attend school

Serve on juries

Pay taxes

Types of Government (textbook pages 73-77)

1. What are the functions of government? (textbook pg. 71, wb pg 40)

Keep order

Provide services

Provide security

Guide the community (develop public policy, manage the economy, conduct foreign relations)

2. What does it mean to be authoritarian? One person or a small group hold all the power

Totalitarian? Government controls people’s lives

3. What does it mean to be democratic? a government in which the people govern themselves, fair elections

4. Which form of government has an inherited ruler? Absolute monarchy and constitutional monarchy

5. Which form and system of government do we have in the U.S.?

Representative democracy and a federal system meaning that the power is shared between the federal/central government and

the states

6. Who holds the power in our form of government? ‘We the people’

Which principle is this? ‘consent of the governed’ and/or popular sovereignty (principles = textbook pg. 74)

7. Define confederal system, unitary system and parliamentary.

Confederal – consists of member states that have joined together voluntarily

Unitary – central government is supreme

Parliamentary- power is predominantly with the parliament (the legislature and usually led by a prime minister) and a

king/queen

8. What are the principles of American democracy?

1.) rule of law

2.) limited government

3.) consent of the governed

4.) individual rights

5.) representative government

6.) free, fair, and competitive elections

Foundations of American Government

1. What ideas came from the Mayflower Compact?

Self-government, Social Contract

2. What ideas came from the Magna Carta?

Limited Government and Rule of Law

3. What ideas came from the English Bill of Rights?

Gave certain rights to citizens (trial by jury of peers, no cruel and unusual punishment, more rights to the nobels)

4. What ideas came from Thomas Paine’s Common Sense?

Colonists should resist the king’s abuse of power because it is “common sense” to want to be free to govern themselves.

5. What ideas from John Locke are evident in the Declaration of Independence?

In the Declaration of Natural Rights section: natural rights, God given rights, men are created equal, life, liberty and pursuit of

happiness.

6. What ideas from Montesquieu are evident in the U.S. Constitution?

Three branches of government, checks and balances

7. How do you know the colonists were upset with British rule?

List of grievances in the Declaration of Independence, Boston Tea Party

What are some things from history that show you that?

Boycotts, smuggling, Boston Tea Party, 1st and 2nd Continental Congress

8. What was the document in which colonists declared they were free from British control?

Declaration of Independence

9. What are the sections of the Declaration of Independence?

Preamble- explains what the Declaration is

Declaration of Natural Rights- Jefferson lists Americans natural rights (life, liberty, pursuit of happiness)

Grievances- list of the colonists issues with King George III

Resolution of Independence- this is a letter to the world that we are FREE

10. What was America’s first Constitution called?

Articles of Confederation

11. Why did our first Constitution not work?

No taxes, no military, no central government, no regulation of trade, no judicial branch, no executive branch, decisions had to be

unanimous with all 13 colonies.

Give two specific examples. Shay’s Rebellion: couldn’t protect citizens, Constitutional Convention to rewrite the Articles of

Confederation.

12. Who were the Federalists? Wanted a strong central government – stronger than the states

Anti-Federalists? Didn’t want central government to be stronger than the states

What was the difference in thinking between the two groups? Anti-Federalists didn’t want the Constitution because the states

had to give up some powers and there was no Bill of Rights and both sides wrote essays called the ‘Federalist Papers.’

The Constitution

1. What are the purposes of government? (Know the Preamble School House Rock song)

Form more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general

welfare, and secure the blessing of liberty

2. The 1st three articles of the Constitution describe the three branches of government and their powers.

What are the three branches of government? What does each do? Who is in each?

Executive branch – president – enforces laws

Legislative branch – congress – makes laws

Judicial branch – Supreme Court – interprets the law

3. What is the Supremacy Clause? What does it say?

Constitution is supreme law of the land. States can do nothing that goes against the Constitution or federal law.

4. We have three branches of government. Which principle says that the government power should be separated? Who gave the Framers

this idea?

Separation of powers – Montesquieu

5. Explain the difference between state and national powers? Where are these defined? What are state powers called? What are federal

powers in the Constitution called? Does Congress have any additional powers not listed in the Constitution?

National powers – Enumerated or expressed powers

State powers – reserved powers

Shared powers – concurrent powers

All found in Article IV of Constitution

Concept is called Federalism

Congress can make laws if they deem it ‘necessary and proper.’ This is due to the elastic clause.

6. Can the Constitution be changed? If so, is the process easy? What are the steps?

2 ways to change the Constitution:

By Congress:

Proposed by a 2/3 vote of both houses

¾ of a special constitutional conventions called by the 50 states.

OR

By states:

A constitutional convention is called by Congress because 2/3 of the states petitioned to address a new amendment.

¾ of the state legislatures vote for it.

7. Who has the final authority for interpreting the Constitution?

The Supreme Court

The Bill of Rights and Other Amendments

1. What are the rights of the accused?

4th amendment:

Law enforcement must have probable cause and a search warrant

5th amendment:

Must be indicted by a grand jury (formally charged)

No double jeopardy

No self-incrimination (plead the 5th)

Due process (following set legal procedures)

Eminent domain – your property can’t be seized (taken) by the government unless you are paid a fair price and the

government needs the land for public use or need.

6th amendment:

Informed of charges

Speedy, public trial by fair jury

Hear, call, and question witnesses

Right to a lawyer

8th amendment:

No excessive bail and No cruel and unusual punishment

2. Amendment 9 says people have more rights. Can you explain this?

Guarantees that the rights enumerated in the Constitution would not be construed as denying or jeopardizing other

rights of the people.

3. Amendment 10 says any powers not given to the federal government in the Constitution go to ____? Give some

examples.

The states

Examples: Administer elections, establish local governments, protect public welfare and safety,

marriage laws, set up public schools

The Bill of Rights (Chapter 6) Key points from Amendment:

1st Amendment [Hint: RAPPS] Religion, assemble, petition, press, speech 2nd Amendment - Right to bear arms

3rd Amendment - No quartering of soldiers

4th Amendment - Search and seizure – must have warrant

5th Amendment – 4. due process – follow legal procedures 5. indictment by Grand Jury 6. formal charge of your crime 7. trial by jury 8. double jeopardy – can’t be tried twice for same crime 9. eminent domain – can’t take your property without compensation

6th Amendment - Fair and speedy jury trial, right to a lawyer, right to bring witnesses 7th Amendment - Guaranteed jury trial

8th Amendment - No cruel and unusual punishment and no excessive bail and fines

9th Amendment - Limitations of rights - your rights cannot be taken away just because it isn’t mentioned in the Constitution

10th Amendment – Reserved powers to the states what is not mentioned in Constitution

Other Amendments

13th Amendment - Abolishes slavery (1865) and grants Congress power to enforce abolition (abolishment of slavery).

14th Amendment - Defines US citizenship; guarantees all citizens ‘equal protection of the laws.’

15th Amendment - Prohibits restrictions on the right to vote based on race and color (1870). However, for many years

some states tested ‘Jim Crow’ laws. These were laws enacted to keep African American from voting.

22nd Amendment - Limits presidents to two terms in office.

24th Amendment – eliminate poll taxes

25th Amendment - Presidential succession (How the vice president steps up to being president and how he would pick a

new vice president if the president died)

26th Amendment – lowered the voting age from 21 to 18 (during the Vietnam War “Old enough to fight, old enough to

vote”)

Legislative Branch – Chapter 7:

1. Describe how representation is chosen in the House and Senate.

Through elections

Senate: equal representation – 2 from every state

House: based on population – reapportioned based on the census

2. Describe how the U.S. chose a bicameral legislature.

The Great Compromise – a combination of the Virginia Plan and the New Jersey Plan

3. Explain why Congress is considered bicameral.

There are 2 houses in Congress

4. Know where Congress gets its lawmaking powers from.

Article 1 of the Constitution

5. Compare non-legislative and legislative powers of Congress.

Non-legislative powers – duties Congress holds beside law making (ie. Impeach, senate’s approval of treaties and presidential

appointments).

Legislative powers are the law making duties.

6. List the checks (as in checks and balances) the legislative branch can make on the other two branches.

Impeach judges and the president, reject appointments of judges, can refuse to approve treaties, override presidential vetos

7. Explain what a committee is and why does the legislative branch have them.

Standing committees – after a bill is introduced, it is sent to a standing committee. There are many committees. The committee

decides if the proposed bill is approved for a vote in the Congress, rejected, or changed. Committees are used so the work can be

shared among Congress.

Select Committees – meet for a short period of time for a specific reason. Then they dissolve.

Joint Committees – consider specific issues – selected members from both houses meet in these committees.

8. Explain how the elastic/necessary and proper clause works in Congress.

Elastic clause and the Necessary and Proper clause – allows Congress to stretch its powers to meet new needs. The Constitution

states that Congress has the power to ‘make all laws that are necessary and proper.’ It gives Congress powers that are not directly

listed in the Constitution. These powers are known as ‘implied powers.’

9. Describe the process of how a bill becomes a law.

1. An idea from a citizen or congressman is sponsored in Congress.

2. The bill is passed to a committee

3. The committee makes the bill how they want it to read.

4. The bill is introduced to one of the houses of congress to be debated on.

5. If that house votes for the bill, it is then sent to the other house.

6. If that house votes to pass the bill it becomes a law once it is signed by the president.

10. What are some of the limits on Congress?

The purpose of the Bill of Rights was to limit or deny certain powers to the federal government – such as Congress cannot pass

laws that restrict free speech or legal rights of individuals. They also can’t interfere with state governments or other branches of

government. They cannot block writs of habeas corpus (the right to appear before a judge to hear your charges). Cannot pass bills

of attainder (punish people without a trial). Cannot pass ex post facto laws (declaring an act is a crime after the act has been

committed).

11, Who do congressmen and women serve?

Their constituents

Executive Branch-Chapter 8:

1. Describe how we elect the President.

Nominations from political parties, citizens vote, the candidate with 270 Electoral College votes wins.

2. Explain the purpose of the 25th Amendment.

It explains how the vice president will assume the role of the president and how he will pick a new vice president if the president

dies or leaves office.

3. Explain the purpose of the 22nd Amendment.

Limits the president to 2 terms of office

4. Describe the Executive Branch’s role in foreign policy.

President leads foreign policy. His role includes appointing ambassadors, negotiating treaties, using military force when

necessary, etc.

5. What is foreign policy?

The USA’s overall plan to deal with other nations.

What is diplomacy?

Managing international relations

6. Name each of the President’s 7 roles and his duties for each.

1. chief executive – carries out laws

2. chief diplomat – leads foreign policy

3. head of state – builds good will with other countries and the president is the symbol of the nation

4. commander in chief- manages the military

5. legislative leader – promotes laws he presents to Congress

6. economic leader – helps the country’s economy prosper

7. party leader – leader of his/her political party

7. List the checks (as in checks and balances) the executive branch can make on the other two branches.

Vetos laws from Congress

Appoints Supreme Court judges

8. What are some examples of international organizations that the U.S. belongs to?

NATO, United Nations

9. What are some international organizations that the U.S. does not belong to but works closely with?

European Union, Red Cross

10. List and describe the tools that the president can use when he is dealing with foreign policy.

Military force, treaties, executive agreements, appointing ambassadors, foreign aid, international trade

11. Use your foreign policy packet

Judicial Branch – Chapter 9:

1. Describe what the Judicial Branch’s role is in our government.

Interpret the law

2. List the checks (as in checks and balances) the judicial branch can make on the other two branches.

Can declare presidential actions unconstitutional and can declare laws passed by Congress unconstitutional.

3. Draw a diagram of the level of courts in the federal Judicial Branch and explain how these courts work.

US Supreme Court

US Court of Appeals

District Courts

4. Describe what the Supreme Court’s role in the Judicial Branch is and how they choose cases.

To determine if your rights have been violated in a court case.

How they choose cases – A case if offered through a ‘writ of certiorari’ which is a request for the Supreme Court to hear an appeal.

The court looks at the merits of the case to determine if there is a Constitutional issue and the lower court made an error in its

judgment. If the court decides to hear the case, then the case is presented to the Court. There are about 10,000 request for a

hearing each year and only 80 cases are heard.

5. Explain the steps in the trial process and name and describe the key people involved in a trial. (CH 15)

1.) opening statement - lawyers

2.) witnesses - lawyers

3.) cross examination - lawyers

4.) closing statements - lawyers

5.) jury deliberation - jury

6.) final decision – jury

7.) sentencing – judge

Bailiff – order in the court defendants – the accused Plaintiff – accuser

6. Explain the difference between a criminal and civil case and give an example of each. (CH 16)

Criminal law – deals with people accused of acts that harm society – ex: murder

Civil law – deals with disputes between people, companies, etc. – ex: broken contract, wills, divorce, custody

7. What are some basic legal rights of citizens? (CH 15)

See #10 in Legislative branch section

Also due process

State and Local Government – Chapters 13 & 14

1. List the branches that are in the FL state government.

Legislative, judicial, executive

2. What are powers ONLY for the states called? Reserved powers

Which amendment gives those powers? 10th amendment

Describe some examples of powers ONLY for the states. Regulate intrastate commerce, establish local government systems,

administer elections, set up public schools

3. What are powers for BOTH state and federal government called? Concurrent powers

Describe some examples of powers for BOTH state and federal government. Taxes, borrowing money, spending for general

welfare

4. What are some similarities between the U.S. constitution and Florida’s constitution?

Both have 2 houses, 3 branches

Both have a Bill of Rights (US Const) or Declaration of Rights (FL Const)

5. What is the title of the head of the state executive branch? Governor

Describe the roles of that position in the executive branch. The governor enforces laws, head of state national guard, names people

to fill state offices, write budgets.

6. Describe the main role of the state legislative, executive, and judicial branches. What is the main role of each?

Executive branch – enforces laws

Legislative branch – makes laws

Judicial branch – interprets laws

7. Explain why there is an extra level of courts in the state judicial branch.

Cases are divided between misdemeanors and felonies. Also, civil cases are divided depending on the amount the case is over.

The two lower courts in the state judicial system are the County and Circuit Courts.

8. What is re-districting based on?

The population counted by the census every 10 years

9. Who sets up local government?

The state constitution

Political Parties – Chapter 10

1. What types of political party system do we have in the U.S?

2 party system

2. Name our two main political parties.

Democrat and Republican

3. Which party is the more conservative party? Explain.

Republicans – lean toward economic issues, less government involvement in people’s everyday lives, more money given to

support the military

4. Which party is the more liberal party? Explain.

Democrats – lean toward social issues, more government involvement in people’s lives, more spending on social programs and

less spending on the military and defense

5. Name some other political parties. What are these referred to as?

Green party, Progressive party, etc. – known as 3rd parties

6. What are the symbols for the two main political parties?

Republicans = elephants Democrats - donkeys

Election Process – Chapter 11

1. Describe the process for electing the president. Name each step.

1.) primary election or caucus

2.) raise money

3.) campaign

4.) citizens vote

5.) electoral college adds up votes

6.) 270 electoral votes wins

7.) inauguration

2. What are a primary and caucus and what are their roles in the election process?

Primary – parties vote on candidate

Caucus – delegates are chosen in a special meeting.

3. When do we elect the President, and how often?

November – every 4 years

4. Describe what the popular vote is in a presidential election.

Votes cast by voters in a presidential election as opposed to electoral votes.

5. Describe what the electoral college is and how they help elect the president.

A group of people selected in each state to vote for the president and VP. The popular vote is translated into the Electoral College

votes – 270 electoral votes wins.

6. Describe how each state determines the number of electoral votes for that state.

There is a census taken to determine population. Each states get votes proportionately to population. The number equals the

number of districts in a state (# of representatives in the House) + 2 for the senators = number of Electoral College votes. FL = 29

Media and Interest groups – Chapter 12/DBQ assignment

1. What is the media and how does it influence and effect the government?

A mass communications = tv, radio, magazines, newspaper, etc.

Politicians depend on the media to share their ideas, and the media depends on the politician for stories.

2. Name two types of media and give examples of each.

TV – Fox news, CNN news

Newspapers – New York Times, FL Times Union

3. Why might government officials keep some information private or “secret”?

Some things might need to be secret for safety and national security.

4. What is an interest group?

A group of people who share a point of view about an issue and unite to promote their beliefs.

5. What is an interest group’s role in our government?

They try to influence public opinion to think the way that they do. Work to convince government to support their positions.

6. Name some examples of interest groups and what they support.

Sierra Club – protect nature

Political Actions Committees – PAC’s – collect money to support a candidate

7. Explain the role of a lobbyist in an Interest group.

They represent interest groups and contact government officials to directly influence the policy making.

8. Describe what propaganda is and how it affects people’s opinions about candidates.

A way of persuading people to view a person or an issue in a certain way. It appeals to emotions.

9. Describe some examples of propaganda techniques.

Plain Folks- Trying to make candidates appear like they are ordinary citizens.

Stacking the Deck- Including positive facts and leaving out negative ones.

Glittering Generalities- Using certain “catch phrases” that appeal to people’s emotions but are so vague they have little meaning.

Testimonials- When a prominent person announces his/her support for a candidate.

Guilt by Association- When a candidate tries to make the opponent seem bad because he was associated with an unpopular

person, event, or idea.

Coat-Tailing- When a candidate tries to make himself look good by claiming a relationship to a popular person, event, or idea.

Negative or Attack Ads- Saying bad things about the opponent.

Supreme Court Case Facts of the Case Precedent That Was Set

Plessy v. Ferguson Segregation was considered legal

Brown v. Board of Education 14th Amendment was violated Segregation was deemed illegal and

desegregation began in the south

Marbury v. Madison Judicial review was established

meaning that the Supreme Court

could review all cases to determine

constitutionality

Miranda v. Arizona 5th Amendment was violated All arrested individuals must be read

their rights

United States v. Nixon Executive privilege was tested and the

president was forced to follow “Rule of Law”

Gideon v. Wainwright 6th Amendment was violated All people accused of a crime must

be guaranteed a lawyer even if they

cannot afford one

In re Gault Due process protection is extended

to protect the rights of juveniles

Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier Schools have the right to censor

material published in schools

Bush v. Gore 14th Amendment was violated Supreme Court could make rulings on

political issues and they determined that

recounting FL’s votes in the election was

unfair and violated the 14th Amendment.

Tinker v. Des Moines 1st Amendment was violated Freedom of speech was extended to also

mean freedom of expression