Set: American Citizenship Exam Review Corry

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All 377 Terms

Term Definition
Follow a set of rules and accept the government's authority As a citizen, what do you agree to do?
Because without them, life would be horrible and people would only think about themselves Why did Hobbes believe that people needed governments?
Because governments have a limited amount of money and must make sure that they use it wisely Why is planning a budget important to a government's success?
The national government make laws that affect the entire country while state governments only make laws for their individual state How so the general duties of the national governmant differ from those of the state governments?
Dictatorship: the government is controlled by only one person or a select few people; Democracy: the citizens run the government What is the difference between a dictatorship and democracy?
Direct democracy: all citizens participate firsthand in the government; Representative democracy: citizens choose a smaller group to represent them What is the difference between a direct democracy and a representative democracy?
Sign a statement saying that they want to become a citizen What is the first step an alien takes to become a citizen?
For work and a better life Why do you think that aliens come to the US?
Having citizenship in two countries What is dual citizenship?
If they were born outside of the US but both of their parents are citizens or one parent is a citizen that has actually lived in the US How can an American citizen obtain dual citizenship?
Voluntarily give it up (must be done in a foreign country with a formal oath signed in the presence of an American official) What is the most common way that a person loses American citizenship?
Between 1890 and 1924 When did the largest group of European immigrants come to the US?
Diverse Give one word to describe the American population.
Common civic and political heritage based on US founding documents and a single language What are two sources of American Unity?
Spaniards Who were the first immigrants to what is now the United States?
Africans What immigrants did not come willingly to the United States?
civics The study of the rights and duties of citizens
citizens Community members who owe loyalty to the government and are entitled to protection from it
government The ruling authority for a community
Public Policy A course of government action to achieve community goals
budget A plan for collecting and spending money
dictatorship A government controlled be one person or a small group of people
Democracy A government in which the people rule
Direct democracy A type of democracy in which every citizen perticipates in the government firsthand
Representative democracy A type of democracy in which citizens choose representatives to represent them in the government
majority rule A pricniple of democracy in which when differences of opinion arise, citizens abide by what most people want
Naturalization The legal process by which foreigners can become a citizen
Aliens Noncitizens
Immigrant People who move permanatly to a new country
deport To send an illegal immigrant back to their own country
Migration The mass movement of people from one area to another
Patriotism Love for one's country
Terrorism The use of violence by groups against civilians to achieve a political goal
It gave rights to the citizens, took away power from the monarch, and gave power to Parliament Why was the English Bill of Rights important to English citizens?
Monarch A king or queen
Magna Carta English document stating that no one was above the law, gave rights to landholding citizens, and protected the nobles' rights
King John Monarch that signed the Magna Carta and treated citizens harshly
Henry III King that allowed Parliament to meet
Legislature A lawmaking body
Parliament Lawmaking body of England
James II King that was kicked out of throne and replaced by his daughter and son in law
William and Mary People that came into power after the Glorious Revolution
Glorious Revolution Event that showed that Parliament had more power than the monarch
English Bill of Rights Document stating that the monarch could not suslend Parliament's laws, among other rules giving power to Parliament
precedent A ruling in an earlier case used as a basis for a ruling of a current case
Common law A system of law that is based on precedent and customs and rests on court decisions rather than regulations written by lawmakers
colony A group of people in one place ruled by a parent country elsewhere
Charter Written document granting land and the authority to set up colonial governments
Governor and lawmaking body appointed by the Virginia Company Original government of Jamestown
House of Burgesses The name of the first representative body in Jamestown that was elected by the people
Charles I Monarch that canceled the Virginia Company's charter and made Virginia a royal colony controlled by the crowm
James I King that granted a charter for Virginia
John Dickinson Man that urged his fellow delegates to the Constitutiona Convention to ratify the constitution, even if it wasn't perfect
Mayflower Compact Written plan for government signed by the Plymouth colonists
compact An agreement or contract anomg a group of people
Marked the beginning of self government in America What is the historical significance of Virginia's House of Burgesses?
Direct Democracy What kind of government did the Mayflower Compact set up?
Mercantilism Theory that a country should sell more goods to other countries than it buys
Stamp Act Act passed by England requiring all colonists to attatch expensive tax stamps to newspapers and legal documents
boycott To refuse to buy or use
repeal To cancel
Declaratory Act Act passed by England stating that Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies in all cases
Townshend Acts Act passed by England that levied new taxes on goods imported to the colonies
Tea Act Act passed by England that did not require the East Indian Trading Company to pay taxes on tea, which allowed them to sell it cheaper
Intolerable Acts Act passed by England that restricted the colonists rights and allowed British soldiers to search and move in to colonists' homes
Coercive Acts What did England call the Intolerable Acts?
George III Under which king did England adopt a policy of mercantilism? (same king that adopted all of the Acts)
Charles Thomson Designed the seal of the US and was the secretary to the Continantal Congress
delegates Representatives
The First Continental Congress What group sent a letter to King George III asking that the Intolorable Acts be repealed?
Independence Self-reliance and freedom from outside control?
To decide whether or not they should break away from Britain Why did colonists gather at the Second Continental Congress?
To protect the rights of the people According to the Declaration of Independence, what is the purpose of government?
George III Under what king did colonists break away from England?
In order to pay off debt for the French and Indian War Why did Great Britain raise taxes on American colonists after 1763?
Josiah Martain The last royal governor of North Carolina
constitution A written plan for government
bicameral Another name for a two-house legislature
The Massachusetts Constitution What constitution was used as the basis for the American Constitution?
The Articles of Confederation The first constitution of the US that was very weak
Confederation A group of individuals who band together for a common purpose
one How many votes did each state have under the Articles of Confederation?
Ratify To approve
Amend To change
Separation of powers, checks and balances, not created by legislature but by a special convention How did the Massachusetts state constitution differ from most other state constitutions?
Charles Pickney Youngest delegate to constitutional convention
Benjamin Franklin Oldest Delegate to the constitutional convention
55 How many men attended the Constitutional Convention
19 # Delgates to become senators
13 # delegates to become H of R members
4 # delegates to become justices
4 # delegates to be on Supreme Court
Because the delegates wanted to be able to speak freely without being judged on what they said later Why were there no records at the Constitutional Convention?
Rhode Island What state did not have a delegate to the Constitutional Convention?
separation of powers What was the main thing that the Virginia Plan called for?
legislative Lawmaking branch of government
executive Branch of government that carries out the laws
judicial Branch of government that interprets and applies the laws
Virginia had bicameral legislature based on population and New Jersey had a unicameral legislature with equal representation What was the main difference between the Virginia and New Jersey Plans?
A bicameral legislature (Senate with equal representation and House based on population) What was the main part of the Great Compromise?
Each slave counted for three fifths of a free person What was in the Three-Fifths Compromise?
The Electoral College Who votes for the president?
Federalists Name for supporters of the Constitution
federalism Form of government in which power is divided between the states and national government
Anti-Federalists Name for people that did not like the Constitution
Addition of a Bill of Rights What promise helped get the constitution ratified?
Preamble Part of the Constitution that explains why it was written
The Articles Part of the Constitutionthat explains how the government works
the states What does Article 4 of the Constitution deal with?
Amending the constitution What does Article 5 of the Constitution deal with?
The Constitution is the Supreme law of the land What does Article 6 say?
The constitution will take effect after 9 states ratify it What does article 7 say?
Amendment A change to the Constitution
Bill of Rights Another name for the first 10 amendments
income tax Tax on people's earnings
Implied Powers What type of powers does the Necessary and Proper Clause of the Constitution give Congress?
2/3 vote of Congress or 2/3 state legislatures AND 3/4 of states legislatures or 3/4 of special state conventions agree Give 2 ways that amendments can be passed
Popular sovereignty Notion that power lies with the people
A president or elected leader Who rules a republic
rule of law Term that means that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern
separation of powers Another word for the split between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches
Checks and balances Principle where all branches of government can check the power of the others
Expressed powers Powers given only to the national government
Reserved powers Powers given only to the state
Concurrent powers Powers shared by the national and state governments
Popular Sovereignty, Separation of Powers, Checks and Balances, rule of law, and federalism 5 main principles listed in the Constitution
Civil liberties Freedoms we have to think and act without government interference ot fear of unfair treatment
censorship The ban of printed materials
Petition A formal request
First Amendment granting freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and to petition
Second Amendment giving the right to bear arms
Third Amendment saying that you cannot be forced to hold soldiers in your home in times of peace
Fourth Amendment preventing against unreasonable searches and seizures
Fifth Amendment preventing double jeapordy, saying that you don't have to testify against yourself, and due process
Sixth Amendment saying that you must be told of your charges, gives accused a jury, gives lawyer
Seventh Amendment saying that a jury must be granted in any civil suit over $20
Eighth AMendment preventing excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment
Tenth Amendment saying that all powers not given to the government are given to the people
Ninth Amendment saying that rights not listed in the constitution cannot be taken away from the people
Eleventh Amendment about suits against the state
Twelfth Amendment saying that the president and vice president can be elected together (the runner up is not VP)
Thirteenth Amendment abolishing slavery
Fourteenth Amendment protecting the rights of citizens and gave African Americans the right to be citizens
Fifteenth Amendment saying that African Americans have the right to vote
Sixteenth Amendment giving congress the right to collect taxes
Seventeenth Amendment about the direct election of senators
Eighteenth Amendment prohibiting alcohol
Nineteenth Amendment giving women the right to vote
Twentieth Amendment setting the date of when the presidential term ends and tells what happens if the president dies in office
Twenty-first Amendment repealing the prohibition of alcohol
Twenty-second Amendment setting the term limit for a president to two terms (10 years)
Twenty-third Amendment giving electors to DC in presidential elections
Twenty-fourth Amendment getting rid of poll taxes
Twenty-fifth AMendment talking about what happens if the president is disabled
Twenty-sixth Amendment lowering the voting age to 18
Twenty-seventh Amendment saying that congress cannot give themselves a payraise mid year
Jefferson Who was the founder of the Democratic-Republican Party?
Democratic Party What is the name of the Democratic-Republican Party today?
Federalist Party What party did Hamilton found?
to promote a social, economic, or moral issue Why do single issue parties form?
Because they both adopt a moderate view in order to appeal to the most voters Why do today's political parties seem so similiar?
How much the government should be involved What was the main difference between the original political parties of Jefferson and Hamilton?
Whether or not you have to declare your political party before you vote What is the difference between an open and closed primary?
Campaigning for candidate, informing voters, helping manage government, linking levels of government, and acting as a watchdog What are the 5 main jobs of political parties?
So they can tell if their actions are effective to the citizens Why are government officials interested in public opinion?
Because voters change their mind a lot Why is public opinion on political candidates considered unstable?
To make others look bad or to see how the public reacts Why would a government official leak information to the media?
television What is the most common way form of media?
The FCC or the Federal Communications Commissions What is one government group that regulates broadcasts?
Private interest groups work only for a certian group while public interest groups work for the common good What is the difference between private and public interest groups?
In order to figure out what the people want Why might a lawmaker want to interact with a lobbyist?
Because lobbyists bribe lawmakers Why has lobbying been criticized in the past?
The ability of a country to produce a good at a lower cost than another country can What is comparitave advantage?
Tariffs and quotas What are the 2 main common barriers to trade?
The EU What group in Europe helps link the countries so they can trade more easily?
NAFTA What group helps with trade in North America?
WTO What group helps encourage trade among the world?
To help domestic industries Why do nations place quotas on imported goods?
spoken untruths that are harmful to one's reputation slander
a formal request for a government action petition
written untruths that are harmful to one's career libel
a court order allowing law enforcement officers to search a suspects property and take specific items as evidence search warrant
a formal charge by a grand jury indictment
a group of citizens that decides whether there is sufficient evidence to accuse someone of a crime grand jury
putting someone on trial for a crime of which he or she was previously acquitted double jeopardy
following established legal procedures due process
the right of government to take private property for public use eminent domain
a sum of money used as a security deposit to ensurethat an accused person returns for his or her trial bail
the right to vote suffrage
a sum of money required of voters before they arepermitted to cast a ballot poll tax
unfair treatment based on prejudice againsta certain group discrimination
the social separation of the races segregation
the rights of full citizenship and equality underthe law civil rights
programs intended to make up for pastdiscrimination by helping minority groups and womengain access to jobs and opportunities affirmative action
singling out an individual as a suspect dueto appearance of ethnicity racial profiling
an association of voters with broad commoninterests who want to influence or control decisionmaking in government by electing the party’scandidates to public office political party
a system of government in which twoparties compete for power two-party system
a party that challenges the two major parties third party
a series of statements expressing the party’s principles,beliefs, and positions on election issues platform
each individual part of a political party’s platform plank
representatives from the 50 state partyorganizations who run a political party national committee
individual elected by thenational committee who manages the daily operationsof the national party national party chairperson
a representative to a meeting delegate
a meeting of political party members to conductparty business caucus
a geographic area that contains a specific numberof voters precinct
several adjoining precincts making up a largerelection unit ward
a person who runs a county committee,often having a great deal of political power in thecounty county chairperson
a strong party organization that can controlpolitical appointments and deliver vote political machine
a process by which political parties select andoffer candidates for public office nomination
an election in which voters choose candidatesto represent each party in a general election direct primary
an election in which voters need not declaretheir party preference to vote for the party’s nominees open primary
the most votes among all those running for apolitical office purality
second primary election between the twocandidates who received the most votes in the firstprimary election runoff primary
the ideas and attitudes that most peoplehold about elected officials, candidates, government,and political issues public opinion
a mechanism of mass communication, includingtelevision, radio, newspapers, magazines, recordings,movies, and books mass media
a group of people who share a point of viewabout an issue and unite to promote their beliefs interest group
a survey in which individuals are askedto answer questions about a particular issue or person public opinion poll
a specialist whose job is to conduct polls regularly pollster
newspapers, magazines, newsletters, andbooks print media
radio, television, and the Internet electronic media
issues considered most significant bygovernment officials public agenda
the release of secret government information byanonymous government officials to the media leak
government censorship of material before itis published prior restraint
an organization that supports causesthat affect the lives of Americans in general public interest group
the course of action the government takes inresponse to an issue or problem public policy
(PAC) political organizationestablished by a corporation, labor union, or otherspecial interest group designed to support candidatesby contributing money political action committee
representative of an interest group who contactslawmakers or other government officials directly toinfluence their policy making lobbyist
the study of how individuals and nations makechoices about ways to use scarce resources to fulfilltheir needs and wants economics
requirements for survival, such as food, clothing,and shelter needs
things we would like to have, such as entertainment,vacations, and items that make life comfortableand enjoyable wants
not having enough resources to produce all of thethings we would like to have scarcity
simplified representation of the real worldthat economists develop to describe how the economybehaves and is expected to perform in the future economic model
the alternative you face if you decide to do onething rather than another trade off
the cost of the next best alternative use oftime and money when choosing to do one thing ratherthan another opportunity cost
the additional or extra opportunity costassociated with an action marginal cost
the additional or extra benefit associatedwith an action marginal benefit
economic model that compares themarginal costs and marginal benefits of a decision cost benefit analysis
system in which individuals own thefactors of production and make economic decisionsthrough free interaction market economy
a system in which private citizens own most, ifnot all, of the means of production and decide how touse them within legislated limits capitalism
economic system in which individuals andbusinesses are allowed to compete for profit with aminimum of government interference free enterprise
reward offered to try to persuade people to takecertain economic actions incentive
choosing the alternative that has the greatestvalue from among comparable quality products rational choice
tangible products that we use to satisfy our wantsand needs goods
work performed by a person for someone elseservicesresources necessary to producegoods and services factors of production
gifts of nature that make productionpossible natural resources
human effort directed toward producing goods andservices labor
previously manufactured goods used to makeother goods and services capital
individuals who start new businesses,introduce new products, and improve managementtechniques entreprenuer
total dollar value of all finalgoods and services produced in a country during asingle year Gross Domestic Product
the material well being of an individual,group, or nation measured by how well their necessitiesand luxuries are satisfied standard of living
a market where productive resources arebought and sold factor market
a market where producers offer goodsand services for sale product market
the degree to which resources are beingused efficiently to produce goods and services productivity
when people, businesses, regions, and ornations concentrate on goods and services that theycan produce better than anyone else specialization
the breaking down of a job into separate,smaller tasks to be performed individually division of labor
a reliance on others, as they relyon you, to provide goods and services to be consumed economic interdependence
a system in which private citizens own most, ifnot all, of the means of production and decide how touse them within legislated limits capitalism
economic system in which individuals andbusinesses are allowed to compete for profit with aminimum of government interference free enterprise
the role of consumer as the rulerof the market, determining what products will beproduced consumer soverieignty
the freedom to own and use ourown property as we choose as long as we do notinterfere with the rights of others private property rights
the struggle that goes on between buyers andsellers to get the best products at the lowest prices competition
the money a business receives for its products orservices over and above its costs profit
the driving force that encourages individualsand organizations to improve their material well being profit motive
the act of buyers and sellers freely andwillingly engaging in market transactions voluntary exchange
a movement to educate buyers about thepurchases they make and to demand better and saferproducts from manufacturers consumerism
the promise made by a manufacturer or a sellerto repair or replace a product within a certain timeperiod if it is faulty warranty
the responsibility of consumers to respectthe rights of producers and sellers ethical behavior
money income left after all taxes on ithave been paid disposable income
money income left after necessitieshave been bought and paid for discretionary income
to set aside income for a period of time so that itcan be used later saving
the payment people receive when they lend moneyor allow someone else to use their money interest
the desire, willingness, and ability to buy a goodor service demand
table showing quantities demanded atdifferent possible prices demand schedule
downward sloping line that graphicallyshows the quantities demanded at each possible price demand curve
the concept that people are normally willingto buy less of a product if the price is high andmore of it if the price is low law of demand
the total demand of all consumers for aproduct or service market demand
the amount of satisfaction one gets from a good orservice utility
decreasing satisfaction orusefulness as additional units of a product are acquired diminishing marginal utility
a competing product that consumers can use inplace of another substitute
product often used with another product complement
measure of responsiveness relating changein quantity demanded to a change in price demand elasticity
the amount of goods and services that producersare able and willing to sell at various prices during aspecified time period supply
the principle that suppliers will normallyoffer more for sale at higher prices and less at lowerprices law of supply
table showing quantities supplied atdifferent possible prices supply schedule
upward sloping line that graphically showsthe quantities supplied at each possible price supply curve
the money a business receives for its products orservices over and above its costs profit
the total of all the supply schedules of allthe businesses that provide the same good or service market supply
the degree to which resources are beingused efficiently to produce goods and services productivity
the methods or processes used to make goodsand services technology
a government payment to an individual, business,or group in exchange for certain actions subsidy
responsiveness of quantity supplied to achange in price supply elasticity
situation in which quantity supplied is greaterthan quantity demanded; situation in which governmentspends less than it collects in revenues surplus
situation in which quantity demanded is greaterthan quantity supplied shortage
the price at which the amount producersare willing to supply is equal to the amount consumersare willing to buy equilibrum price
goods that, when consumed by one individual,cannot be consumed by another private goods
economic goods that are consumedcollectively, such as highways and national defense public goods
the unintended side effect of an action thataffects someone not involved in the action externality
legislation to prevent new monopolies fromforming and police those that already exist antitrust law
a combination of two or more companies to forma single business merger
a market situation in which the costs ofproduction are minimized by having a single firmproduce the product natural monopoly
a special election in which citizens can vote toremove a public official from office; situation in whicha company pulls a product off the market or agrees tochange it to make it safe recall
GDP after adjustments for inflation real GDP
alternating periods of growth and declinethat the economy goes through business cycle