1st Quarter Benchmark
Review
CIVICS
12.1 Students explain the fundamental principles and
moral values of American democracy as expressed in
the U.S. Constitution and other essential documents of
American democracy.
.3 Explain how the U.S. Constitution reflects a balance
between the classical republican concern with
promotion of the public good and the classical
liberal concern with protecting individual rights; and
discuss how the basic premises of liberal
constitutionalism and democracy are joined in the
Declaration of Independence as "self-evident truths."
.5 Describe the systems of separated and shared
powers, the role of organized interests (Federalist
Paper Number 10), checks and balances (Federalist
Paper Number 51), the importance of an independent
judiciary (Federalist Paper Number 78), enumerated
powers, rule of law, federalism, and civilian control
of the military.
12.4 Students analyze the unique roles and
responsibilities of the three branches of government as
established by the U.S. Constitution.
.1 Discuss Article I of the Constitution as it relates to
the legislative branch, including eligibility for office
and lengths of terms of representatives and
senators; election to office; the roles of the House
and Senate in impeachment proceedings; the role of
the vice president; the enumerated legislative
powers; and the process by which a bill becomes a
law.
.4 Discuss Article II of the Constitution as it relates to
the executive branch, including eligibility for office
and length of term, election to and removal from
office, the oath of office, and the enumerated
executive powers.
12.9 Students analyze the origins, characteristics, and
development of different political systems across time,
with emphasis on the quest for political democracy, its
advances, and its obstacles
.
.1 Explain how the different philosophies and
structures of feudalism, mercantilism,
socialism, fascism, communism,
monarchies, parliamentary systems, and
constitutional liberal democracies influence
economic policies, social welfare policies,
and human rights practices.
.3 Discuss the advantages and disadvantages
of federal, con federal, and unitary systems
of government
• Please take out your Benchmark Review
worksheet
• 1st Quarter Benchmark = Tomorrow!
• Benchmark Review worksheet due
Tomorrow = 8 points
• Homework: STUDY - STUDY!
Unit 1: What is Government?
Standard 12.9.3
Unitary System – gives all “key”
powers to the national or
central government
• States are created and given
limited sovereignty
• Great Britain, Italy, France
– Efficient but too much
centralized power
Confederal(Confederacy) – a loose union of independent
states
• The U.S. Articles of the Confederation failed before the
Constitution instituted a Federal System
Federal System/Federalism – divides the
powers of government between national
and state governments
• U.S. after 13 colonies became states
– “We the people, in order to form a more
perfect union, establish justice, insure
domestic tranquility…”
– The preamble to the Constitution shows the new govt. meant
to increase cooperation among the states
• Federalism combines concern with the
public good and protection of individual
rights
• Popular Sovereignty – In the U.S., the
people have all authority
– “We the people…” Constitution preamble
– “Government derives it power from the
consent of the governed” Declaration of
Ind.
Steps toward Democracy
The Declaration of Independence
• Written by Thomas Jefferson to create a new govt.
• Natural/unalienable rights are “self evident” and
given by God and are a vital part of Democracy
– “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”
• “Governments are instituted among men, deriving
their just powers from the consent of the governed
(the people)”
Two forms of Democracy
1. Direct Democracy – people vote to make any decisions
2. Representative Democracy – people elect representatives
and give them the power and responsibility to make laws
and conduct government
–
Republic – voters hold sovereign power and elected
representatives are responsible to the people to exercise that
power…”We the people…”
Unit 2: The Constitution & Federalism
Standard 12.1.5
•
Constitution – a written plan for the rules of
government
•
Constitutional Government – a government of limited
powers
–
–
–
•
It limits the power of those who govern
It Values the “Rule of Law”-all persons (individuals and
government) are subject to law
This helps to establish the idea of a “government of laws, not
men”
representative democracy, republic, and constitutional
republic all mean: “a system of limited government
with representatives where people are the ultimate
source of governmental power”
• James Madison
– Classical Conservative
(Republican) view
• “Protect the public
good”
• Thomas Jefferson
– Classical Liberal view
• “Protect individual
rights
Characteristics of a
Constitutional Democracy
• Individual Liberty
• Majority Rule with Minority Rights
– Without a Constitution, we would have a “Tyranny of the
majority”
• Free Elections
– “One person, one vote” – all votes are equal
– Open elections
– Secret ballots
• Competing Political parties
The Federalist Papers – a series of articles written by
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton and John Jay to
promote a “Federal System” and the Constitution
The Federalist #10 – arguments for a Representative
Democracy
• Tyranny of the majority is a risk
• Factions always exist
• Opposition is best handled by a Representative
Democracy
• A “bill of Rights” protects against tyranny of the
majority
The Federalist #51 – Separation of powers, checks and
balances
• Government reflects imperfect human nature
• 3 branches of govt. are needed
• Separation of powers
• Checks and balances (ex. Executive branch vetoes bills)
• “the accumulation of all govt. powers in the same hands
is the definition of tyranny”
James Madison
Representative Democracy is based on the two major
principles of:
1. Separation of powers
2. Federalism (ex. State and federal govt. both can tax
and establish courts)
Powers of the National Government
delegated powers, meaning that it only has those powers
delegated (granted) to it in the Constitution.
• The expressed powers are those found directly within the
Constitution.
• The implied powers are not expressly stated in the
Constitution, but are reasonably suggested, or implied by,
the expressed powers.
• The inherent powers belong to the National Government
because it is the government of a sovereign state within the
world community.
Chapter 4, Section 1
The States
Powers Reserved to the
States
• The 10th Amendment
declares that the States
are governments of
reserved powers.
• The reserved powers
are those powers that the
Constitution does not
grant to the National
Government and does
not, at the same time,
deny to the States.
Powers Denied to the
States
• Just as the Constitution
denies many powers the
National Government, it
also denies many powers
to the States.
• Powers denied to the
States are denied in
much the same way that
powers are denied to the
National Government;
both expressly
and
Chapter 4, Section 1
inherently.
The Division of Powers
The federal
system
determines the
way that powers
are divided and
shared between
the National and
State
governments.
Chapter 4, Section 1
Clause 18 – The: “Elastic Clause” or
“Necessary and Proper Clause”
• Congress can pass other laws needed to implement
provisions of the Constitution.
• The basis for “implied powers” which are not stated in
the Constitution but implied to be given
• No powers are added but gives congress the ability to
decide “HOW” clauses 1-17 will be exercised
– Although no more powers are given, Congress has tried to
interpret this clause to use more power
Unit 5: The Legislative Branch
Standard 12.4.1
House of Representatives
(435 members)
1. 2 years Terms
2. 25 yrs. old/ 7 yrs. citizen
3. propose tax laws
4. can impeach the president.
Senate
(100 members)
5. Senators serve a 6-year term
6. A senator must be 30 years old to be
elected and have been a citizen for 9
years
7. Can approve presidential appointments
8. Ratifies treaties with foreign
governments
9. Can try the president after impeachment
Both together
10. Can propose laws
11. Can declare war
12. Can override the president’s
veto with a 2/3 vote
13. Can propose amendments
to the
Constitution with a
2/3 vote
Clause 4 – President of the Senate
• The Vice President of the U.S. presides
over the Senate
– Does not debate or vote unless there is a
tie
Impeachment: To bring formal charges of high crimes and
misdemeanors against a high official.
Clause 6 – Impeachment trials
• The House must first vote to impeach
• The Senate has the power to “try” impeachment
proceedings
• The Senate chamber is the “Court” for an impeachment
– Chief Justice of the Supreme Court is the judge
– The Senate is the Jury
– A 2/3 vote is needed to convict
Clause 7 – Impeachment penalties
• A conviction requires removal from office only
• There may be a separate criminal court trial
Clause 2 – How a bill becomes a law
• To become a law, A bill has to:
– Pass both houses of congress
– Be signed by the President or if he doesn’t
veto it within 10 days
• The President may “veto” (forbid) a bill
– It is then returned to the house where it
originated with an explanation by the President
– Congress may change the bill to get the president’s approval
• The Conference Committee is designed to find a
compromise on conflicting versions of a bill
• The majority of bills introduced in Congress die in
committee
Executive
President, Vice President,
Cabinet
Enforces Laws
•
The President serves a 4-year term.
– Term limits = 22nd amendment
•
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•
•
•
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The president must be at least 35 years
old, a 14- year resident, and native born
Has power to approve or veto laws
Make treaties with foreign governments.
Nominates judges to the Supreme Court
Appoints cabinet members
Is Commander-in-Chief of U.S. military
forces
Why did the framers put civilians in
charge of the military?
• The framers believed that too strong a
military would jeopardize personal liberties
• The framers believed that military force
must always be conditioned by diplomacy.
• Since the president has enumerated
powers to make treaties and develop
foreign policy so the framers saw the
military as extension of this power.