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mid term
mid term test study
156
Civics
9th Grade
09/27/2012

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Cards

Term
Double jeopardy
Definition
Right of all citizens to not be charged with the same crime after they have been acquitted by a jury of that same crime
Term
House of burgesses
Definition
First government in Jamestown VA it was a form of representative democracy
Term
Great compromise
Definition
Agreement made at the convention of 1787 that created a two house legislature with one house based on population and the other based on equality
Term
Dictatorship
Definition
Type of government that is usually controlled by one person who allows very little freedom or oppostion
Term
Appellate jurisdiction
Definition
Authority to hear a case after it has been heard in a lower court
Term
Fcc
Definition
Agency that controls the activities of the media
Term
Federal reserve
Definition
Agency that controls the nations banking system
Term
Standing committees
Definition
Permanent committees of congress who study revise and pass legislation
Term
Judicial review
Definition
Power of the supreme court to examine a law and determine its constitutionality
Term
Popular sovereignty
Definition
Idea that people have the right to rule themselves through democratic process of voting
Term
Glass ceiling
Definition
this term refers to the "invisible wall" that ma ny women and minorities feel when it comes to climbing the corporate laadder
Term
Reserved powers
Definition
Powers that are only given to the states such as education, marriage laws, zoning regulations
Term
Deportation
Definition
The process of being expelled from a nation
Term
dessenting opinion
Definition
term that describes the written opinions of a justice(s) who disagreed with the majority in a court descision
Term
President pro-tempore
Definition
Mostly symbolic position given to the longest serving senator from the majority party
Term
Mayflower compact
Definition
Agreements signed by the pilgrims that created a direct democracy for the Plymouth colony
Term
Constituents
Definition
Term defining the people who live within a legislators district
Term
Joint chiefs
Definition
group made up of the highest ranking officers in each of the military branches who advise the President on military matters
Term
bill
Definition
proposed law
Term
Apportionment
Definition
Term that refers to the number of representatives assigned to a state based upon its population
Term
Anti-federalists
Definition
Political group who opposed the new constitution and thought it lacked a specific list of peoples rights
Term
INS
Definition
Agency thzat is responsiblefor controlling the process of naturalization and the visas for foreigners visiting the nation
Term
Bill of rights
Definition
Set of amendments that were proposed at the request of anti-federalists to guarantee certain basic rights to the people
Term
OSHA
Definition
agency within the national government that insures the safety of workers
Term
Merit system/pendelton act
Definition
System of giving government positions to those who are well qualified for those positions by administering job-specific tests
Term
FEMA
Definition
agency that works to help citizens after a natural disaster has occured
Term
IRS
Definition
Government agency who is responsible for collecting taxes
Term
Separation of powers
Definition
Idea that the powers of government should be divided so that government will be less likely to abuse the rights of citizens
Term
Separation of church and state
Definition
Famous phrase from a letter by Thomas Jefferson that discusses his belief in the role between the government and religion
Term
EPA
Definition
Agency that tries to protect the envirement
Term
Naturalization
Definition
Process where non-citizens gain citizenship
Term
totalitarianism
Definition
form of government where little freedom of opposition is allowed
Term
affirmative action
Definition
government prograam designed to help women and minorities gain access to jobs in order to compensate for apast discrimination6
Term
Limited government
Definition
Idea that government is not allowed to do certain things many of these are listed in the constitution or amendments
Term
CIA
Definition
Executive agency that works to collect information about foreign nations
Term
District court
Definition
Lowest level of federal court - uses a jury to decide guilt or innocence
Term
"full faith and credit" clause
Definition
statement in article IV of the constitution that says states will acknowledge the laaws of other states and cooperate with one another over fugitives
Term
Concurrent powers
Definition
Powers that are shared by all levels of government such as the power to tax , pass laws and enforce laws
Term
enumerated powers
Definition
powers that are given only to the national government such as the power to raise an army, coin money, or make treaties
Term
direct democracy
Definition
a form of government where each citizen has an actuaal say in the affairs of government
Term
seniority
Definition
term that refers to how long a member has been in congress and is important in assigning committee members
Term
loose interpretation
Definition
idea that the constitution should be defined by the exact wording used
Term
Embassies
Definition
Offices that represent the US government in foreign nations
Term
3/5 compromise
Definition
agreement made at the convention of 1787 that slaves would count as 3/5 a person for the census to determine the population of each state
Term
Stave trade compromise
Definition
Agreement at the convention of 1787 that congress would not tax exports and slave trading could be banned in 20 years
Term
pigeon hole
Definition
action taken by a legislative committee that places a bill to the side without a vote of aapproval of denial
Term
majority opinion
Definition
term describing the written decision of the justices on the winning side on a Supreme Court decision
Term
Necessary and proper clause
Definition
Statement in article 1 of the constitution allows congress to stretch its enumerated powers to do almost anything in the best interest of the citizens
Term
Jurisdiction
Definition
Term meaning the authority to hear and decide an issue
Term
majority leader
Definition
leader of the politicaal prty with the most members within the legislature
Term
Civil service
Definition
Term that refers to people who choose to work in an agency or department of the government
Term
Communist
Definition
Type of government where the government owns and controls all aspects of life for its citizens
Term
Prejudice
Definition
This is when a person has unfair thoughts or beliefs about a particular group of people
Term
cloture
Definition
special vote taken by the senate that would require aa senator to gove up the floor during a filabuster--- requires a 2/3 vote--- very diffacult to achieve
Term
Probable cause
Definition
Idea that the government must have some reason to believe a citizen has done something wrong in order to obtain permission to search their person or belongings
Term
censure
Definition
formaal vote of dissaproval of aa legislator's conduct
Term
Visas
Definition
Official identification for US citizens who want to travel to foreign nations
Term
Overturn
Definition
Ruling in an appeals or supreme court case that mean the original verdict is placed aside and the case is thrown out
Term
Customs
Definition
Government agency that inspects visitors and goods that come into the US
Term
HUD
Definition
Department that tries to improve conditions of urban areas and provide low income housing
Term
libel
Definition
legal term for the false and damaging printing of a statement about a person
Term
Uphold
Definition
Ruling given by an appeals or supreme court that means the verdict in the original trial was fairly reached
Term
VA
Definition
Agency that provides services to the nations veterans
Term
limited commerce
Definition
power of the government to take land from citizens when needed for public benefits as long as the citizen is compensated
Term
oligarchy
Definition
government that is ruled by a small group of people
Term
Franking priviledge
Definition
Right of a congressmen to send job-related mail without postage
Term
Homeland security
Definition
Newest department that works to keep the nation safe from terrorist activities
Term
Responsibilities
Definition
Things that all citizens should do but are not required to do
Term
party whip
Definition
member of each political party who is responsible for preliminary voting intentions and trying to influence party members to vote as a group on important issues
Term
Poll taxes
Definition
Payment that is required of a person before they are allowed to cast a vote this is now illegal according to the 24 the amendment
Term
Preamble
Definition
Introduction to the constitution that lists the purposes of government in the united states
Term
reverse discrimination
Definition
idea that special efforts made to make up for past racism and in faact discrimination against others
Term
Regulatory commissions
Definition
Parts of the executive branch whose job it is to control certain industries or parts of the economy
Term
Federalism
Definition
System of having multiple governments on the national state and local levels that are able to better respond to the needs of citizens
Term
Due process
Definition
Idea that all citizens are guaranteed fair treatment by the government
Term
Toleration act
Definition
Law that created religious freedom in Maryland in 1649
Term
Refugees
Definition
People who have fled their homes because of war or famine
Term
Appeals court
Definition
Federal court that hear cases on first appeal and uses a panel of judges to determine whether the trial was fair
Term
Minority leader
Definition
Leader of the political party who does not have the majority seats within a legislature
Term
concouring opinion
Definition
term that describes the written opinion of a justice(s) who agrees with the majority but may have slightly different reasons.
Term
Remand
Definition
Ruling in an appeals or supreme court case that means the case was unfairly reached and a new trial is ordered in a lower court
Term
Red tape
Definition
Term that refers to the sometimes unnecessary paperwork that is required by the government in order to insure due process
Term
theocracy
Definition
type of government that is ruled by religous leaders
Term
FAA
Definition
Agency that investigates aviation accidents and regulates air traffic
Term
Social security
Definition
Independent agency that oversees the pension program for the elderly and the disabled
Term
Plessy vs. Ferguson
Definition
Faamous case the struck down the 1820 Missouri Compromise and decleared slvery be legal across the nation
Term
Establishment clause
Definition
Statement in the 1st amendment that forbids the government from proclaiming an official religion within the United States
Term
Attorney general
Definition
Leader of the justice department who is responsible for enforcing the nations laws
Term
Visa
Definition
Formal permission for a non-citizen to be in a nation
Term
Appropriations
Definition
Term describing the acquiring of revenue for the government
Term
Gerrymandering
Definition
Drawing a districts boundaries in an odd shaped manner in order to benefit one political party over another
Term
Checks and balances
Definition
Idea that all three branches of government are designed so that they have the ability to stop other branches from becoming abusive
Term
Discrimination
Definition
This is when a person acts in an unfair manner toward a particular group of people
Term
Supremacy Clause
Definition
Statement of Article VI states that the nations government is the highest form of goverment in the nation and is above all forms of government
Term
FDA
Definition
Agency that makes sure that the foods and medicines that are availible to the public are safe for consumtion
Term
Speaker of the House
Definition
Leader of the House of Represennatives and usually the majority laeder of the House who has great power in setting the aganda for the House of Represenatives
Term
Articles of Confederation
Definition
First government of the United States- Was a weak government with few poweers and onlyu lasted a few years until it was replaced.
Term
Power of the Purse
Definition
Power of the House of Represenatives whereby all revenue producing bills must be introduced in the House of Represenatives
Term
Slander
Definition
Legal term for tellling a false and damaging statement about someone
Term
Anarchy
Definition
The absence of any form of government.
Term
Marbery vs. Madison
Definition
Famous case that established Judicial REview
Term
Monarchy
Definition
A form of government led by a king or a queen
Term
Albany Plan
Definition
plan presented during the French and Indian War by Ben Franklinthat proposed the unificatioof the colonies in order to win the war
Term
loose interpretation
Definition
idea that the constitution should be defined by using a broader definition of the words used
Term
original intent
Definition
Idea that the constitution's meaning should be determined by what the Founding Fathers hed written it to mean in their time
Term
implied powers
Definition
powers that are not specifically written in the contitution but are interpreted to exist
Term
Proclomation of 1763
Definition
British blaw that prohibited the colonists form crossing beyond the Appalachian Mountians
Term
Proclomation of 1763
Definition
British blaw that prohibited the colonists form crossing beyond the Appalachian Mountians
Term
State department
Definition
Executive department that deals with foreign policy
Term
Secrectaries
Definition
Group of people who lead the different departments of the executive branch
Term
National security council
Definition
Group of people who advise the president on matters of national security
Term
OMB
Definition
Part of the white house office that helps the president design a budget for the united states
Term
Press secretary
Definition
Person who works closely with the media on behalf of the president
Term
Chief of staff
Definition
Person who works closest to the president and serves as the main advisor to the president
Term
Administration
Definition
Term for the people who work closely with the president and his staff
Term
Amnesty
Definition
Legal term for giving a pardon to a large group of people
Term
Reprieve
Definition
Legal term for delaying the punishment given to someone
Term
Pardon
Definition
Legal term for someone being forgiven for a crime that was committed
Term
Immunity
Definition
Legal term for being free from prosecution
Term
Endorsements
Definition
Process where famous or influential people give their support to someone who is seeking office
Term
Patronage
Definition
System of giving government jobs to ones friends and supporters-sometimes this system was abused and unqualified people were appointed
Term
State of the union
Definition
Speech given by the president each year to describe the situation of the nation and the speech is required by the constitution
Term
Executive orders
Definition
Term for orders given by the president in order to carry out his duties as chief executive - the orders have the same force as law
Term
Conference committee
Definition
Special committee made of legislators from the house and senate who try to work out differences in bill that passed both houses in different forms
Term
Pocket veto
Definition
Process where the president does not sign a bill and Congress has adjourned and after ten days the bill dies rather than becoming law
Term
Over-ride
Definition
Ability of congress to pass a bill after the president has vetoed it -- but only if they can pass it again with a 2/3 majority
Term
Electoral college
Definition
Process of electing the president - each state is assigned a number of electors -- a majority of electoral votes is required to be elected otherwise the house chooses the president
Term
Bureaucracy
Definition
Term referring to the large number of people who work for the government
Term
OSHA
Definition
agency within the national government that insures the safety of workers
Term
yorktown
Definition
town in virginia; revolutionary war with the british surrender to washingtons army in 1787
Term
social contract
Definition
idea proposed by john locke that citizens created a government to provide them with security and if that requirement is not fulfilled then they have a right to break it
Term
filabuster
Definition
right of a senator to hold the floor for an unlimited amount of time usually threaten as a form of killing or revising a bill the senator opposes
Term
FBI
Definition
agency within the national government who is responsible for enforcing the nations law
Term
constitutional convention
Definition
meeting held in philadelphia to revise the article of confederation however the delegates decide to replace the articles with a stronger government
Term
roll call
Definition
Term
roll call
Definition
type of congressional vote where the name of each legislator is called out and a vote recorded-mostly done electronically today
Term
glass wall
Definition
this term refers to the invisible wall that mny women and minorities feel when it comes to clombing the coporate ladder
Term
articles of confederation
Definition
first government of the united states- weak government with few powers and only lasted a few years until it was replaced
Term
minority leader
Definition
leader of the political party who does not have the majority seats within a legislature
Term
reverse discrimination
Definition
idea that special efforts made to make up for past racism and in fct discrimintion against others
Term
virginia plan
Definition
by james madison at the convertion-it called for a three branch governmnet with a legislature based on population
Term
shays rebellion
Definition
event that occured when massachusetts farmers revolted over high state taxes and caused people to realize the weakness of the government
Term
declaration of independence
Definition
passed in july 1776 and written by thomas jefferson-this document proclaimed the independence of the colonies and gave the reasons for our proc;amation
Term
USDA
Definition
Department of the US agovernment that works to insure the safety of the nations food supply
Term
new jersey plan
Definition
government plan presented by william patterson that bcalled for legislaturebased on state equality and a group executive power
Term
dessenting opinion
Definition
term that describes the written opinions of a justice(s) who disagree with the majority in a court decision
Term
valley forge
Definition
place where the colony army nearly froze to death in the winter of 1777 due to lack of supplies
Term
saratoga
Definition
battle where the colonists defeated the british and convinced the french to join on the american side
Term
public hearing
Definition
meetings held by legislative committees in order to allow public comments and information to be given to legislative committees
Term
CDC
Definition
agency within the government that researches diseases and treatments
Term
grand jury
Definition
type of jury that determines wheter there is enough evidence in a case to formally charge-indict-someone with the crime
Term
term limitations
Definition
idea that legislators should only be allowed a maximum number of years in office in order to encourage more involvement in government
Term
medicare/medicaid
Definition
part of the HUD department that tries to provide basic medical services to the elderly and the poor
Term
representative democracy
Definition
a form of government where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them
Term
federalists
Definition
political group who supported the passage of the new constitutiona and its stronger government
Term
socialist
Definition
type of government where individuals and government share ownersip in major businesses and government takes on a greater role in citizens lives
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