civics – semester review. declaration of independence why? declare freedom from britain defend...
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Declaration of Independence
Why? Declare freedom from Britain Defend natural rights Explain grievances (issues) against King
Purpose of Government? Protect people’s rights
Main grievances Britain limiting people’s rights
Foundations Social Contract
Idea that people give consent to the government in exchange for protection.
But if the government doesn’t do its duty citizens have the right to abolish the government
Federalists – Strong, central government Anti-Federalists – Weaker central
government with more power in the states Bill of Rights – key issue to ratifying the
Constitution to ensure people’s rights Pushed by Anti-federalists
Forms of Government Direct Democracy – everybody votes
for everything Dictatorship – total control Monarchy – hereditary royalty with
symbolic responsibilities Absolute Monarchy – hereditary
royalty with total control Theocracy – religious and political
leadership combined
Presidential vs. Parliamentary Presidential
Executive and legislative branches elected by voters
Parliamentary Legislative branch
elected by voters Executive
appointed by Legislature
Economies
Command economy – government makes all decisions (goal of equality)
Market economy – free enterprise, supply and demand controlled by consumers and producers
Traditional economy – no government influence – based on exchange of goods
Active Citizenship
• Using civic participation to address problems facing their communities, their country, and the world. • Examples: voting, running for office,
working on a political campaign, sponsoring food drives, etc.
Liberal Ideology
Favoring an active role for government in solving society’s problems Examples: Support Health care, same-
sex marriage, social programs
Conservative Ideology
Favoring a limited role of government in economic affairs and a greater role in regulating social affairs Examples: reduce taxes and regulations,
ban same-sex marriage, limit immigration
Political Socialization
How individuals form political ideas and beliefs – comes from family, school, religion, peer groups, gender and ethnicity, and news media.
Nomination by Petition
Candidates who are not from major parties but have gotten enough signatures to be placed on a ballot
Interest Groups
Focus on specific issues or topics and encourage political parties to maintain and promote their beliefs and values
Electoral College
Group that elects the President – composed of the number of representatives and senators per state
Powers of Congress
Create federal laws Declare War Coin money Regulate commerce (trade)
All of these are called expressed powers and are described in Article I of the Constitution
Checks and Balances
Each branch holds some power over the other two branches Examples:
Impeaching the President President vetoing a bill Congress overriding a veto Senate ratifying a treaty
Bill Making Process
House or Senate creates and passes a bill
President signs or vetoes the bill (this role is called Chief Legislator)
Veto Powers
President Can veto the entire bill only Pocket veto – less than 10 days before
Congress adjourns Wait 10 days, not signing the bill and
allowing the bill to become law Congressional Overrides
2/3 majority of Congress can override
Illinois Constitution
Legislative body = General Assembly Chief Executive = Governor
Home Rule = process in which a county or municipal government may provide the citizens its own services
Qualifications
House of Representatives 25 years old 7 year citizen 2 year term
Senate 30 years old 9 year citizen 6 year term
Qualifications President
35 years old 14 year citizen 4 year term
Supreme Court Justice or Federal Judge No age Citizen Life term
Filibuster
The ability to give a long speech or series of speeches in an attempt to delay the work of the Senate
Structure
Article I – Legislative (Congress) makes laws
Article II – Executive – enforces laws Article III – Judicial – reviews laws Bill of Rights – 1st Ten Amendments
Rights of Citizens
Executive Privileges
Pardon – the excuse of an offense without exacting a penalty; a release from the legal penalties of an offense
Executive agreement - Presidents make deals with other nations or leaders, they are avoiding the treaty ratification power of the Senate
Powers Approve treaties - Senate Start revenue bills - House Manage respective departments - Cabinet Declare laws unconstitutional – Supreme Court Vetoes Laws - President Impeachment power – House Impeaches /
Senate Tries Approves appointments - Senate Commander in Chief - President Presides over the House of Representatives -
Speaker Writes opinions on law – Supreme Court
Amendment Process
Congress proposes amendments with a 2/3 majority vote
State legislatures ratify amendments with a ¾ vote
1971 Changes to Illinois Constitution
Protection against discrimination for the handicapped
Protection against discrimination for women
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