Florida Civics Literacy Exam Study Guide - POS 2041
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Florida Civics Literacy Exam
Study Guide
POS 2041 – American National Government
1. Principles of American Government
Match the terms below with their descriptions.
Federalism
Due Process
Civil Rights
Rule of Law
Equal Protection
Constitutionalism
Popular Sovereignty
Separation of Powers
Majority Rule
Social Contract
Republicanism
Civil Liberties
Limited government
1.
_____________________: Concept suggested by John Locke that Individuals willingly
surrender some of their freedoms to an authority in exchange for protection of their natural
rights.
2.
_____________________: Different branches of government have distinct powers and can
ensure no single branch becomes too dominant by overseeing and limiting each other's
actions.
3.
_____________________: The functions and powers of government are divided among
distinct branches, usually including the executive, legislative, and judicial, to prevent abuse
of power.
4.
_____________________: Government only has the powers explicitly granted to it by law or
governing documents.
5.
_____________________: All individuals and institutions, including the government, are
accountable to established laws that are fairly applied and enforced.
6.
_____________________: Legal proceedings must be fair, just, and follow defined
procedures. Individuals have a right to be treated equally in legal processes.
7.
_____________________: The power and authority of a government are created and
maintained by the consent of the governed. “We the people”
8.
_____________________: Certain rights are inherent by virtue of human nature and cannot
be created or taken away by government. Life, Liberty and Property.
9.
_____________________: System that divides government power between a central
government and the states that makeup that central government.
10. _____________________: Form of government where citizens elect representatives to
make decisions on their behalf rather than making decisions through direct democracy.
11. _____________________: Adherence to a system of governance that is defined and limited
by a written constitution.
12. _____________________: Balance between the right of the majority to make laws that are
binding on all members of society, and the basic rights of the minority that cannot be
infringed on.
13. _____________________: Every individual is entitled to the same legal protections and
rights under the law.
14. _____________________: Collective rights to equal social opportunities and protection
under the law, regardless of race, religion, or other characteristics.
15. _____________________: Personal freedoms and rights guaranteed to every citizen, often
protected from government intervention or suppression.
How are a pure/direct democracy and republican (representative) democracy different from
each other?
What concerns did the founders have regarding more direct forms of democracy?
What
measures did they take in the Constitution to address these concerns?
2. Foundational Documents
Match the documents below with their descriptions.
Articles of Confederation (1781)
Mayflower Compact (1620)
Northwest Ordinances (1784, 1785,1787)
English Bill of Rights (1689)
Federalist 10
Common Sense (1776)
Federalist 51
Magna Carta (1215)
1.
__________________: A medieval charter signed by English nobles that set forth principles
of due process, limiting the king's power and influencing the development of constitutional
liberties.
2.
__________________: A pamphlet advocating for American independence from Britain,
arguing that the colonists should break away and form a more equitable government.
3.
__________________: A series of laws governing the orderly admission of territories into
the United States, emphasizing government structure, individual rights, and education.
4.
__________________: A declaration of fundamental human rights that influenced the
American Bill of Rights and highlighted principles such as the freedom of the press and the
right to a fair trial.
5.
__________________: An essay from a series written in support of the U.S. Constitution,
specifically discussing the importance of a large republic in controlling factions and
preserving liberty.
6.
__________________: An essay from a series advocating for the ratification of the U.S.
Constitution, focusing on the necessity of proper checks and balances to prevent the abuse
of power.
7.
__________________: The first governing document of the United States, which established
a confederation of sovereign states with a government possessing limited powers.
8.
__________________: A document signed by early American settlers, establishing self-
government and community unity under the principle of majority rule.
9.
__________________: A declaration emphasizing inherent rights and liberties, which served
as a model for similar declarations and the U.S. Constitution's Bill of Rights.
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The Articles of Confederation established the first government of the United States. It did not
last long as it had many weaknesses.
Match a weakness of the Articles of Confederation with the clause from the Constitution
showing how it was addressed.
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation:
No central leadership
Congress had no power to tax
Changes to the Articles required unanimous consent of 13 states
Congress had no power to regulate trade
No national branch to settle disputes
Congress had no power to enforce its laws
1.
Article 1, Section 8: The Congress shall have Power To lay and collect Taxes, … to pay the
Debts and provide for the common Defense and general Welfare of the Unites States;
Weakness Addressed:
2.
Article 1, Section 8: The Congress shall have Power… To regulate Commerce foreign Nations,
and among the several States
Weakness Addressed:
3.
Article II, Section 3:…he shall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed…
Weakness Addressed:
4.
Article III, Section 1: The judicial Power of the United States, shall be vested in one supreme
Court, and in such inferior Courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and
establish.
Weakness Addressed:
5.
Article II, Section 1: The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States
of America.
Weakness Addressed:
6.
Article V: The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall
propose Amendments to this Constitution…
Weakness Addressed:
3. The Constitution
Article I: Legislative Branch
1.
The Congress shall be divided into two houses: the __________ and the __________.
2.
To be a Representative, a person must be at least __________ years old, have been a
citizen of the United States for __________ years, and be an inhabitant of the state they
represent.
3.
To be a Senator, a person must be at least __________ years old, have been a citizen of
the United States for __________ years, and be an inhabitant of the state they
represent.
4.
Length of Terms:
House of Representatives ____
Senate ____
5.
How are the number of Representatives and Senators each state has determined?
a.
Representatives:
b.
Senators:
6.
The Congress shall have power…
a.
To lay and collect _______________...
b.
To _______________ money on the credit of the United States;
c.
To regulate _______________ with foreign nations, and among the several
states…
d.
To establish an uniform Rule of _______________ …
e.
To _______________ money, regulate the value thereof, and of foreign coin, and
fix the standard of _______________;
f.
To _______________ war…
g.
To make all laws which shall be _______________ for carrying into execution the
foregoing powers, and all other powers vested by this Constitution in the
Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof.
7.
Today citizens vote for their United States Senators in an election. This was not the
process originally in the Constitution. How were Senators elected originally?
Which
constitutional amendment changed this process?
Article II: Executive Branch
1.
The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.
He/she shall hold his/her Office during the Term of __________ Years.
2.
To be President, a person must be a _____________ Citizen, at least __________ years
old, and have been a Resident within the United States for __________ years.
3.
According to the Constitution how is the President elected? Provide a detailed
description.
4.
Powers of the President
a.
The President shall be
_______________ of the Army and Navy of the United
States
b.
he shall have power to grant
_______________ for offences against the United
States, except in cases of impeachment.
c.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make
_______________, provided two thirds of the Senators present concur
d.
he shall
_______________, and by and with the advice and consent of the
Senate, shall appoint ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, judges of
the supreme court, and all other Officers of the United States
e.
He shall from time to time give to the Congress Information of the
_________________________, and recommend to their Consideration such
Measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient
Article III: Judicial Branch
1.
What qualifications for members of the Judicial Branch are listed in the Constitution?
2.
What is the process for someone to become a federal judge?
3.
How long is the term of a federal judge?
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4.
_______________________: This is the principle that allows courts to assess the
constitutionality of laws and executive actions. It is a process that ensures that the laws
and actions of the government do not exceed the powers granted to them by the
constitution. If a law or action is found to be in violation of the constitution, the courts
have the power to invalidate that law or action.
5.
_______________________: This is a legal doctrine that obligates courts to follow
historical cases when making a ruling on a similar case. The principle is based on the
idea that once a question of law has been examined and a ruling has been made, it
should be followed in future cases. This creates consistency and predictability in the law,
as it relies on precedents set by previous judicial decisions.
Important Clauses in the Constitution
Match the clauses below with their descriptions.
Due Process Clause
Supremacy Clause
Commerce Clause
Equal Protection Clause
Necessary and Proper/Elastic Clause
Full Faith and Credit Clause
1.
_________________________ This clause is in Article VI of the Constitution. It establishes
the primacy of federal law over state laws and constitutions. This means that when state law
conflicts with federal law, federal will prevail. This is crucial for maintaining a unified legal
system and ensuring that federal laws are uniformly applied across all states.
2.
_________________________ This clause is in Article IV of the Constitution. It requires
states to respect and honor the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other
state. This is important for ensuring legal continuity and predictability across state lines.
3.
_________________________ This clause is found in Article 1 of the Constitution. It gives
the legislative branch the power to regulate trade with foreign nations, among the several
states, and with the indigenous tribes. This has been a key component in the development
of a national economy. It has also been used to justify the expansion of Federal Government
power as Congress will often find ways to relate laws they pass to some kind of economic
impact.
4.
_________________________ This clause is part of the Bill of Rights and provides that no
person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property without the legal process. It is a
fundamental principle of American law that ensures individuals have fair procedures and
protections before the government can take away their fundamental rights.
5.
_________________________ This clause is included in the 14
th
Amendment to the
Constitution. It guarantees that no state shall deny to any person within its jurisdiction the
equal protection of the laws. This is a cornerstone for civil rights, mandating that states must
apply the law equally and cannot discriminate against individuals or groups.
6.
_________________________ This clause is included in Article 1 of the Constitution. It gives
Congress the authority to make laws which are related to the execution of its powers. This
has been interpreted to mean that Congress can pass laws needed to fulfill its legal duties,
even if not explicitly listed in the Constitution, thereby allowing for the flexibility and
adaptability.
This clause has been used to expand the power of the Federal Government as
Congress will often find ways to relate laws they pass loosely to one of their existing powers.
Federalism
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and
constituent political units (like states or provinces). Within this system, there are several types
of powers that are defined and allocated to different levels of government.
Match the type of power with its explanation below.
Concurrent Powers
Inherent Powers
Implied Powers
Reserved Powers
Enumerated Powers
1.
____________________: These are powers explicitly stated in the Constitution as belonging
to the federal government. They include things like the power to coin money, regulate
interstate and foreign commerce, maintain armed forces, and declare war.
2.
____________________: These powers are not written out in the Constitution but are
instead reserved to the states. The Tenth Amendment specifies that powers not delegated
to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people. Examples include
regulating intrastate commerce, conducting elections, and establishing local governments.
3.
____________________: These are powers shared by both the federal and state
governments. Both levels can enact laws in these areas, though federal law typically
supersedes state law in the event of a conflict. Examples of concurrent powers include the
power to tax, build roads, and create lower courts.
4.
____________________: These are not expressly stated in the Constitution but are implied
through the necessary and proper clause (also known as the elastic clause). This clause gives
the federal government the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its enumerated
powers. An example of an implied power is the establishment of the Federal Reserve
System.
5.
____________________: These are powers that the federal government has simply because
it is a national government. These are powers that all sovereign nations possess. Examples
include the power to control immigration, diplomatic recognition, and the defense of the
country against a rebellion or other crises.
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4. Civil Liberties and Civil Rights
Bill of Rights
Match the Amendment to the Civil Liberties it protects.
1
st
Amendment
6
th
Amendment
2
nd
Amendment
7
th
Amendment
4
th
Amendment
8
th
Amendment
5
th
Amendment
1.
__________: Protects individuals from unreasonable searches and seizures of property by
the government without a warrant based on probable cause.
2.
__________: Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases in federal courts, under
common law.
3.
__________: Affirms the right of individuals to keep and bear arms.
4.
__________: Grants the right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury in criminal
prosecutions, the right to be informed of criminal charges, the right to confront witnesses,
the right to compel witnesses to appear in court, and the right to legal counsel.
5.
__________: Provides several protections for people accused of crimes, including protection
against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and the taking of life, liberty, or property
without due process of law. It also includes a provision for compensation when private
property is taken for public use.
6.
__________: Guarantees the freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and the right to
petition the government for a redress of grievances.
7.
__________: Prohibits excessive fines and bail, as well as cruel and unusual punishment.
_______________________: the process by which the Supreme Court has applied portions of
the Bill of Rights to the states through the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.
Prior to the 14
th
Amendment the Bill of Rights only restricted the federal government. Through a
series of judicial decisions, the Supreme Court has incrementally applied rights and freedoms
outlined in the Bill of Rights to limit state governments as well.
Landmark Supreme Court Cases
Match the landmark Supreme Court case with its description.
Engel v. Vitale
District of Columbia v. Heller
U.S. v. Lopez
Brown v. Board
Tinker v. Des Moines
McCulloch v. Maryland
Marbury v. Madison
Miranda v. Arizona
Gideon v. Wainwright
Korematsu v. United States
Mapp v. Ohio
Schenck v. U.S.
Citizens United v. FEC
Texas v. Johnson
Plessy v. Ferguson
1.
_________________________: This case established the principle of judicial review,
affirming the Supreme Court's ability to declare a law unconstitutional.
2.
_________________________: This case confirmed the federal government's implied
powers, stating that a state cannot tax a federal institution.
3.
_________________________: This case upheld racial segregation under the "separate
but equal" doctrine.
4.
_________________________: This case established the "clear and present danger"
standard for limiting free speech rights.
5.
_________________________: This case upheld the internment of Japanese Americans
during World War II.
6.
_________________________: This case declared state laws establishing separate
public schools for black and white students to be unconstitutional.
7.
_________________________: This ruling established the exclusionary rule, which
prevents evidence obtained illegally from being used in court.
8.
_________________________: This case ruled that government-directed prayer in
public schools is unconstitutional.
9.
_________________________: This ruling established the right to an attorney for
criminal defendants in state courts.
10. _________________________: This case established the Miranda warnings, which must
be given before a suspect's statement can be used in court.
11. _________________________: This ruling stated that students do not "shed their
constitutional rights to freedom of speech or expression at the schoolhouse gate."
12. _________________________: This case ruled that burning the American flag is a form
of symbolic speech protected under the First Amendment.
13. _________________________: This case ruled that the federal government cannot
regulate guns near state-operated schools as it does not substantially affect interstate
commerce.
14. _________________________: This case ruled that individuals have a right to possess a
firearm unconnected with service in a militia.
15. _________________________: This case ruled that political spending by corporations,
associations, and labor unions is a form of protected speech under the First
Amendment.
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