Name____________________________________________________________Date___________________
American Government Final Exam Review Sheet
Be able to answer multiple choice questions on the following subjects:
Civic Involvement and Participation Unit (Ch. 17 – 19)
1. What types of volunteer opportunities do citizens have to make a difference in society?
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Political campaign
Member of an interest group
Contribute financially
2. How do individuals learn their political beliefs and attitudes?
 Socialization through family, media, school
3. In what ways can interest groups have an influence on Congress?
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Making $$ contributions: ex. NRA
Provide information: Ex. oil drilling
Number of People they represent
*Does the issue matter to the lawmaker?
4. How does the mass media tend to cover presidential campaigns?
 Qualifications, platforms, views on issues
5. What are some methods voters can use to become well-informed citizens?
 Use variety of sources: newspapers, TV, radio, internet
6. What are some positive contributions interest groups and lobbyists make to our political process?
 Give people access to government; greater voice in numbers
7. How are the two major political parties organized?
 At the national, state, and local level (democrats and republicans)
8. What are some of the functions of the major political parties?
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Help people get elected
Educate voters
Help run gov’t
Reward supporters (patronage)
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Contribute money to candidates from interest groups
9. What are some of the contributions PACs make to our political system?
10. How do interest groups and political parties promote democracy?
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Give people a voice in the government
Basic Principles of the U.S. Constitution Unit (Ch. 2 - 4)
1. What are some of the key values that the Founders laid out in the Declaration of Independence?
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Popular Sovereignty
*Consent of the Governed
Equality
*Gov’t should protect rights of the people
*We ALL have rights:
o life
o liberty
o pursuit of happiness
2. What were some of the grievances the patriots outlined in the Declaration of Independence? (pick 3)
 *For cutting off our Trade with all Parts of the World.
 *For quartering large Bodies of Armed Troops among us.
 *For imposing Taxes on us without our consent.
3. What were some of the key features of the national government under the Articles of Confederation?
 very weak national gov’t
 states all equal/ one vote
 no court system
4. What is federalism?
 Power shared between national and state gov’ts
5. Why did Federalists argue that checks and balances were necessary?
 So that no one person or group would become too powerful
6. How did the 10th Amendment attempt to limit the federal government?
 Reserved certain powers for the states
7. What were some of the problems under the Articles of Confederation?
 National gov’t was powerless to raise money, settle
disputes between states, weak economy
8. How does federalism serve to limit the federal government?
 Power is shared wt the states and therefore limited.
9. Why was the Bill of Rights added to the Constitution?
 To protect the rights of individual citizens.
 So the Constitution would be ratified.
10. How did the Northwest Ordinance help the U.S. to grow?
 It determined how territories could become states.
11. How did the 14th Amendment define citizenship?
 Anyone born or naturalized in the U.S. is a citizen
12. What did the 16th Amendment allow?
 Income tax allowed
13. What officials in the federal government are we allowed elect directly?
 Senators and Representatives
14. What are some examples of how the Constitution protected voting rights?
 You cannot be denied the right to vote if you are over 18.
(for citizens)
15. Which amendment gave women the right to vote?
 19th Also: 15, 19, 26 are all suffrage (voting) amendments.
16. Who was assisted by the 15th and 24th Amendments?
 African-Americans
 24th- poll taxes made illegal
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17. What was the subject of the 22nd Amendment?
 Two-term limit for presidents
18. What is the line of succession to the presidency?
 President- Vice Pres- Speaker of the House
19. How did the 12th Amendment change the way the Electoral College functions?
 President chooses his vice president
20. What was the subject of the 11th Amendment?
 State lawsuits heard in state courts
21. Which is the only amendment to have been repealed?
 18th by the 21st amendment-- Prohibition
22. What was the subject of the last amendment to be ratified?
 Congressional Pay
23. Why might a senator use the filibuster?
 To delay action on a bill.
24. How can presidents impact the behavior of the judiciary?
 Appointing judges that agree with their judicial philosophy
25. What was the significance of the Marbury v. Madison case?
 The Supreme Court could review laws and determine whether they were
constitutional or not. Establishes limits on gov’t power.
26. What is a presidential veto?
 The president rejects an entire bill.
27. What is the importance of the impeachment process?
 The House impeaches (accuses)
 The Senate runs the trial
Constitutional Freedoms and Liberties Unit (Ch. 13 & 14)
1. What does the 5th Amendment protect?
 Protection from self-incrimination
2. What was the significance of the Texas v. Johnson case?
 Sometimes, actions that many find offensive are still protected speech rights
3. What protections are described by the “Miranda warnings?”
 Unfair police questioning
4. What was the significance of the Brown v. Board of Education case?
 Reversed Plessy v. Ferguson
 Segregation in public schools is unconstitutional
 Little Rock 9- president sent troops to enforce decision in Brown v Brd.
5. What kinds of liberties are included when we discuss the concept of civil rights?
 Legal/political- vote, attend school
 Economic- employment fairness
Government in Action – State and Local Government Unit
1. What process is most often used to amend the Ohio constitution?
 Voters approve all amendments to the Constitution
2. What is the main function of governors in state government?
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Governor is head of executive branch
3. How is the Ohio General Assembly organized?
 Serve 2-year terms
 Limit of 4 terms
4. How do the Ohio and U.S. Supreme Courts compare?
 Judges in Ohio are elected (not appointed)
Government in Action – Public Policy Unit
1. How does our federal system encourage the formation of interest groups?
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Multiple levels of gov’t to influence policy
2. How do citizens become informed on current policy questions?
 Variety of sources: scientific poll
3. What factors should be considered when measuring public opinion on policy questions?
 There are many different opinions; based on age, gender, background
4. What opportunities exist for citizens to contribute to their community on the state level?
 Pay taxes, sign petitions, vote, run for office
5. How does federalism affect how government handles public policy questions?
 Increased requirements, cut funds
6. Where does the federal bureaucracy get its power?
 Ability to set guidelines
7. How can citizens participate in public policy debates?
 Lobby, write letters, comment at meetings
Government in Action – Government and the Economy Unit
1. How has federal spending affected state spending in recent years?
 Fewer grants to cities and states (smaller allowance). Lay off
Workers, cut backs
2. Where does the federal government get most of its funds?
 Income taxes
3. What is monetary policy?
 Controlling money supply to grow the economy or fight inflation
4. What is the focus of discretionary spending?
 Aid to states and cities
5. What is fiscal policy, and what is the effect of an expansionary fiscal policy?
 Government spending and taxation
 If government spends: creates jobs but increases debt
6. How does federal tax policy impact the economy?
 If taxes are cut, consumer spending increases and economy grows
7. What is the role of the Federal Reserve?
 Control money supply and interest rates
Extended Response
How a bill becomes a law:
1. Introduced to the House
2. Sent to a committee
3. Approved by entire House
4. Sent to the Senate
5. President signs or vetoes
Describe a landmark Supreme Court Case:
 Gideon v Wainwright
o Issue: Couldn’t afford lawyer so he was not getting fair trial
o Court agreed with Gideon
o Outcome: state must provide a lawyer for those
who can’t afford one
 Miranda
o Issue: Was not aware of rights at time of arrest
o Court agreed
o Outcome: rights must be read at time of arrest
 Brown v Board of Ed.
o Issue: Segregated schools not Constitutional
o Court Agreed
o Outcome: Schools had to desegregate
3 ways the House and Senate are different
 House 435 Senate 100
 House membership based on population/ Senate 2 each
 Senate only has power to approve, ratify treaties
 House is where $$ bills must start
3 of the 6 Principles of the Constitution:
 Separation of Powers: 3 branches
 Popular Sovereignty: power is with the people
 Checks and Balances: each branch can limit each other
 Judicial Review: Supreme Court can decide if laws are
Constitutional or not.
State 3 goals from the Preamble:
 Form a more perfect union
 Provide for common defense
 Secure blessings of liberty
 Promote general welfare
3 Comparisons/Contrasts between Ohio and US Gov’t:
 Both have 3 branches of gov’t
 US- President Ohio- Governor
 US- Congress Ohio- General Assembly
 US- Brief Constitution Ohio- long/detailed Constitution