American Government
Unit II Review – Chapters 5-9
Name____________________Date________
Define the following:
Political Party - A group that tries to control government by winning elections and holding public office
Referendum - a legislative measure (proposed law) is referred to the State’s voters for final approval or rejection
General Election - Voters select government officials
Recall - voters sign a petition for a special election to decide whether to remove the current officeholder early
Splinter party – a group of voters break away from one of the main parties, thus taking many votes away from the main party
Initiative – a proposed law is placed on the ballot after voters have gained enough signatures from registered voters to do so
Polling Place – where people vote
19th Amendment – women’s suffrage
24th Amendment – outlawed poll taxes
26th Amendment - set the minimum voting age at 18
Interest Group - a private organization that forms to promote the interests of its members
Lobbyists – hired by interest groups to persuade legislators to vote in support of the interest group’s policies
Grassroots Campaign – local campaigning such as writing letters, making phone calls, etc.
Complete the following:
1. List the functions of a political party. Nominate candidates; inform and inspire voters; ensure candidate quality; help
govern; act as watchdogs
2. What type of party system exists in the United States? Two-party
3. What is the main reason minor parties have struggled to gain power in the U.S.? Electoral System – single member districts
4. What type of minor party often “spoils” an election and why? Splinter Party – they take votes away from the main party
when people move to the other party
5. List the three aspects of the structure of political parties. Party in Office, Party in the Electorate, Party Leaders
6. List the four basic federal election laws that no state can violate. Can’t discriminate based on race, ethnicity; can’t
discriminate based on sex; can’t tax people to vote; can’t set minimum voting age over 18.
7. List the two main groups of citizens that state will NOT allow to vote. Felons & Mentally Incompetent
8. List the various aspects of mass media. TV, Newspapers, Magazines, Radio, Internet, etc.
9. Which form of mass media has the most impact on American politics? TV
10. Which form of mass media has made candidates less dependent on political parties? TV
11. List the good and bad things interest groups do. GOOD - Keeping close ties with the party; Getting members of their group
active in the political party; Giving candidates money through PACs (Political Action Committee. BAD – Engage in dishonest
behavior
12. What is the main purpose of Political Action Committees? Raise money for candidates
13. What regulates the activities of lobbyists? Federal Laws
14. Why is it important that we pay taxes? To keep basic public services.
15. Why is it important for people to vote? To have a say in our government/our lives
16. Describe the process of jury duty AND why it is important for us to serve. If we want a fair trial if/when needed, we should
be willing to give one to someone else too
17. List the representative(s) for each branch of Georgia’s Government
a. Executive – Governor
b. Legislative – General Assembly
c. Judicial – Georgia Supreme Court
18. List the ELECTED positions in local government structures. Mayor, Councilmen, Commissioners
19. List the functions of a state constitution.
Is the State’s supreme law.
Provides for popular sovereignty and limited government.
Outlines civil rights.
Defines the structure of State and local governments**
Divides power among the branches of State government.
Sets out ways in which it may be revised or amended.
Most likely needs to be reformed.
American Government
Unit II Review – Chapters 5-9
Name____________________Date________
20. Describe what each level of local government does
County
Administers State and county laws
and maintains such things as jails,
roads, schools, and tax collection
City
Zoning is a common form of city
planning. States establish cities
through incorporation. Charters lay
out cities’ basic laws
Town
Delivers services provided by city
and county governments elsewhere
Township
Usually provides rural functions such
as road maintenance and law
enforcement
Special district
Performs governmental functions at
the local level, such as administering
schools and providing water, police
protection, and bridge and park
maintenance
21. On what do we pay the following:
a. Sales tax – various commodities
b. Property tax – land, vehicles, etc.
c. Income tax – individual & business
d. Inheritance tax – an heir’s share of an estate
22. List the services provided by state and local governments. Education, Public Welfare, Highways & Roads, Public Safety,
Protecting Consumers, Keeping Public Lands for Conservation, Keeping Public Lands for Recreation, Regulating Business &
Commerce
23. By what two means are the services from the question above provided? Directly through state agencies and programs
And through the local governments they establish
Flashback section:
Recall the Articles of the Constitution and the breakdown of the amendments (the three areas into which the amendments can be
divided).