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| Republic: A government in which citizens rule indirectly and make government decisions through their elected representatives. |
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| Representative democracy: a type of democracy founded on the principle of elected officials representing a group of people. |
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| Articles of Confederation |
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| thirteen independent states bound themselves into a confederation with a weak central government that had to rely on this states to implement its decisions |
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| Father of the Constitution, Fourth president of the US, role in documents drafting and ratification, also drafted first 10 amendments |
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| Constitutional Convention |
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| Philadelphia, PA. May 14, 1787 |
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| agreement that large and small states reached during constitutional convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the US Constitution (decided bicameral congress) |
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| Total number of slaves counted as 3/5ths of the free people of a state |
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| power divided between national and state government. each has its own independent authority and duties |
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| Executive, legislative, judicial |
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| Against new constitution because it gave political control to a powerful national government, the president was made to look like a king, standing armies/navies were a threat to peace/liberty, and the constitution lacked a bill of rights |
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| First 10 amendments to constitution, listing the rights guaranteed to every citizen |
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| Congress may not establish a religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion; it may not abridge freedom of speech or or of the press or of the people's right to assemble and to petition government. |
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| No soldier may be quartered in any house without the consent of the owner |
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| No unreasonable search and seizure |
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| Cannot testify against oneself. Gov. may not take private property without compensation |
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| Certain rights guaranteed in criminal trials |
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| No excessive bails or cruel and unusual punishment |
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| Enumerating these rights does not diminish the other rights retained by the people |
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| Any powers not given to the federal government are reserved for the states and the people |
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| Supreme Court has the authority to overrule any act Congress that violates the Constitution |
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| State of Maryland forbidden to tax national bank |
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| Prayer in school - starting the school day with a prayer violated the establishment clause |
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| Brown v. Board of Education |
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| the landmark supreme court case that struck down segregated schools as unconstitutional - violated 14th amendment equal protection laws |
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| Gideon v. Wainwright (1963) |
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| The state must provide a lawyer to those who cannot afford one |
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| Struck down a Texas law banning abortion |
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| The limits on government so that people can freely exercise their rights |
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| Civil rights require government action to help secure individual rights |
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| Americans with Disabilities Act (1990) |
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| The ADA forbade companies of 25 or more employees from discriminating against handicapped people. It also required companies to make "reasonable accommodations" for handicapped people if the cost isn't excessive |
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| Direct, positive steps to recruit members of previously underrepresented groups into schools, colleges, and jobs; sometimes involves setting aside positions |
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| Discrimination established by law |
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| More subtle form of discrimination that exists without a legal basis - still exists today |
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| Education about how the government works and which policies one should support; provided partly by party officials and other national institutions |
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| views prevalent among the general public |
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| An organization of people who share a common interest and work together to protect and promote that interest by influencing the government. Interest groups vary greatly in size, aims, and tactics. |
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| Interest groups trying to influence governmental decisions by speaking with politicians and public officials |
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| Stronger predictor of individual opinions than factors like race and religion. Most political active Americans register as either democrats or republicans and generally stay committed to that party |
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| The written statement of a party's core convictions and issue priorities. Generally revised every four years, in time for the national party convention |
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