Government Midterm

40 Multiple Choice

5 fill-ins

1 required essay

Choose 2 out of 4 essays

Political Dictionary
Social Contract Theory- John Locke; it is understood by everyone that citizens will abide
by the laws set-forth by federal and state government
Unitary Government- one form
Confederation- group of starts joining together to form a government
United States has a republic government
Separations of Powers- 3 branches of government each have their own power (Judicial,
Executive and Legislative)
Checks and Balances- a system of checks done by each branch stops one branch from
getting too much power
Judicial Review- supreme court can review decisions made by another branch

Marbury v Madison- caused the development of Judicial Review

Necessary and Proper- elastic clause; congress can pass laws that fit society

McCulloh v Maryland
Reserved Powers- not specifically stated but understood
Concurrent Powers- reserve for Federal Gov. and state government
Implied Powers- things that are not directly stated but known
10th Amendment- Any powers that are not specifically stated are implied through the
states
Virginia and NY- important in voting for Constitution (8th and 9th state)
Informal Amendment Process- process which over time has made many changes in the
Constitution which have not involved any changes in its written words
17th Amendment- American people can vote for Senators
Westbury vs Sanders- 1 man = 1 vote
Gerrymandering- redistributing of congressional lives
Franking- free mail and postage for the people in the Senate
Facts to Know
President makes a formal agreement with the SENATE
Congress does NOT enforce laws, only has the power to create them
House and the Senate are considered a cross section of the American people --> 100
years ago it was only rich, white men
The ONLY amendment to be repealed was prohibition
The house can call a Congressional Reapportionment
Special Session of Congress is organized but the speaker of the house only
Expired Senators--> every 2 years 1/3 (33-34) of the senators leave the Senate and an
election for them takes place; the senate is a continuous body (always changing)
The President makes Supreme Court nominations
Fill-Ins
State Evolution Theory- the idea that the state developed naturally out of the early
family; one person was the leader (ruler) the rest were there to help (the government)
Confederacy- a league of alliance
Divine Right Theory-18th century; said that God created the state and that God had
given those of royalty the ultimate right to rule, people were supposed to obey
Enumerated Powers- delegated to the National Government and are directly stated in

the Constitution itself

Concurrent Powers- powers that both the National Government and the States possess
and use
Implied Powers- powers that are not directly stated in the constitution but known and
understood to be just
Reserved Powers-Powers that the Constitution does not grant to the National
Government but does not deny to the states
Strict Constructionist-led by Thomas Jefferson, argued in favor of the Anti-Federalists
position; thought the government is best when is governs least
Loose Constructionist-led by Alexander Hamilton, was in favor of the constitution,
broadly interpreted the Constitution; did not mind the powers that Congress had
Required essay
Read documents on Constitution and apply the Constitution to society in the past and
present day

Other essays
6 Principles of the Constitution- Chapters 1 and 2
1.
Popular Sovereignty- the power lies in the hands of the people; people have the
power
2.
Limited Government- goes hand in hand with popular sovereignty; means that
the government only is allowed as much power as the people want to give it; shows the
peoples thoughts and opinions really do matter
3.
Separation of Powers- divides the power evenly between 3 branches; legislative,
judicial and executive
a.
Legislative- power to create a new law
b.
Judicial- review and process the law; makes sure it is fair
c.
Executive- executive and put the law into affect for the people if it is passed
4.
Checks and Balances- makes sure that each of the 3 branches are following
through on their orders and not abusing their given power
5.
Judicial Review-power given to the judicial branch to make sure the laws are fair
and just for all people; can declare a law unjust and unconstitutional
6.
Federalism- the division of powers within the central government
Judicial Restraint
Judicial Activism
- Choose a court case related to each of the terms