U.S. Government Cheat Sheet Separation of Powers Executive Branch Judicial Branch (Carries out the laws) (Interprets the laws) Membership • President—George W. Bush • Vice President—Dick Cheney • Cabinet Requirements for President & VP • At least 35 years old • Natural-born US citizen • US resident for 14 years prior Term for President • 4 years, 2 term maximum Powers & Duties of President • • • • • • Federalism National Government • • • • • Membership • Supreme Court—9 members • Chief Justice—John Roberts Term • Life Powers & Duties (Delegated Powers) Coin money Maintain armed forces Declare war Regulate interstate & foreign commerce Make all laws “necessary & proper” for carrying out delegated powers State Government • Exercise Judicial Review Landmark Decisions • • • • • • Marbury v. Madison—Judicial Review • McCulloch v. Maryland—National Supremacy • Dred Scott . Sandford--Citizenship Appoint officials (Requires approval) • Plessy v. Ferguson—Separate but Equal Sign or veto bills Wage war (Requires approval) • Korematsu v. US—Wartime Powers Negotiate treaties (Requires approval) • Brown v. Board of Education—Desegregation Grant pardons • Mapp v. Ohio—Search Warrants Call Special Sessions of Congress • Gideon v. Wainwright—Right to Counsel • Miranda v. Arizona—Self-Incrimination Reynolds v. Sim—One man, One Vote Legislative •Branch • (Reserved Powers) Conduct elections Establish schools Regulate businesses within a state Establish local governments Make marriage laws Assume other powers not given to the national government or denied to the states Joint Government • • • • • • (Concurrent Powers) Enforce laws Establish courts Borrow money Protect public safety Punish criminals Build roads (Makes the laws) Amendments Congress Write bills, Tax, Declare war, Override vetoes, Propose amendments Senate Membership • 100 members, 2 per state • KY—Mitch McConnell & Jim Bunning Requirements • At least 30 years old Term • 6 years, unlimited Powers & Duties • Approve presidential appointments • Approve treaties • Try impeachments Leadership • President pro Tempore—Robert C. Byrd House of Representatives Membership • 435 members, based on state population • KY—6, Ron Lewis Requirements • At least 25 years old Term • 2 years, unlimited Powers & Duties • Make impeachments Leadership • Speaker of the House—Nancy Pelosi 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, & Petition Right to Bear Arms Quartering of Troops Searches & Seizures Criminal Proceedings; Due Process; Eminent Domain 8. Criminal Proceedings 9. Civil Trials 10. Cruel & Unusual Punishment 1. 2. 13. 14. 15. 17. 19. 22. 24. 25. 26. Rights Retained by the People Powers Reserved to the States Abolition of Slavery Citizenship Suffrage—Race Direct Election of Senators Suffrage—Gender Presidential Term Limits Poll Taxes Presidential Succession Suffrage—Age Constitutional Principles Limited Government Separation of Powers Checks & Balances Popular Sovereignty Individual Rights Presidential Elections 1. Political Parties & Ideologies • • 2. Democrats—Liberals 3. Republicans—Conservatives • Third Parties o Green Party o Libertarian Party o Reform Party 4. 5. 6. Primaries & Caucuses—January to May • • 1 Primary—New Hampshire General Campaign—Summer to November Raise money Conduct opinion polls Make appearances Produce commercials Debate opponents Election Day—November Electoral College—December 538 total electoral votes 270 needed to win presidency KY—8 Winner-Take-All & Minority Presidents o 1824—John Q Adams v. Andrew Jackson o 1876—Rutherford Hayes v. Samuel Tilden o 1888—Benjamin Harrison v. Grover Cleveland o 2000—George W. Bush v. Al Gore What If No One Wins? • • I can explain & give examples of how the rights of one individual may, at times, be in conflict with the rights of another. I can explain how the rights of an individual may, at times, be in conflict with the responsibility of the government to protect the "common good". I can evaluate the impact citizens have on the functioning of a democratic government by assuming responsibilities and duties. How a Bill Becomes a Law 1st Caucus—Iowa • Nominate candidate • Approve party platform • • • • 7. I can compare & contrast various forms of government in the world & evaluate how effective they have been in establishing order, providing security & accomplishing common goals. I can explain & give examples of how democratic governments preserve & protect the rights & liberties of their constituents through different sources. I can analyze how powers of government are distributed & shared among levels & branches & evaluate how this distribution of powers protects the "common good". I can interpret the principles of limited government & evaluate how these principles protect individual rights & promote the "common good.” st National Convention—Summer • • • • • Learning Targets House of Representatives chooses President Senate chooses Vice President Presidential Roles Commander-in-Chief Chief Executive Legislative Leader Chief Diplomat Party Leader Chief of State Key Individuals John Locke Baron de Montesquieu Thomas Jefferson James Madison Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson Franklin Roosevelt Richard Nixon John Marshall Earl Warren Susan B. Anthony Martin Luther King, Jr. Key Terms Amendment Bill of Rights Census Checks & Balances Citizen Civil Liberties Civil Rights Common Good Conservative Constitutionalism Declaration of Independence Delegated Powers Democracy Dictatorship Double Jeopardy Due Process Equal Representation Executive Branch Federalism Ideology Implied Powers Judicial Branch Judicial Review Jurisdiction Legislative Branch Legitimacy Liberal Limited Government Magna Carta Monarchy Natural Rights Naturalization Political Participation Power Popular Sovereignty Proportional Representation Public Policy Republic Rule of Law Separation of Powers Sovereignty Suffrage Tyranny US Constitution Writ of Habeas Corpus
