Please enable JavaScript.
Coggle requires JavaScript to display documents.
Government and Civics PRAXIS Review - Coggle Diagram
Government and Civics PRAXIS Review
Three Branches of Government
Executive: They enforce the laws
President: At least 35 years old, elected in by the electoral college. Must be a natural-born citizen. They serve for 4 years, and can only serve twice.
Electoral college: Each state (plus Washington D.C.) gets a certain amount of electors. The voters in the state vote for the president, and the electors vote with the majority of their state. Example: If one nominee for president wins a majority of a state, the electors for that state must elect that nominee.
Vice president: The running mate to the president. They are also in charge of the senate. If the president dies, the VP takes place.
Judicial: They interpret the laws
Supreme Court: The highest court. Typically made up of 9 justices. Court cases are brought to the supreme court, and the justices vote on the outcome.
Legislative: They make the laws
Congress: Made up of two houses
Senate: Made up of 2 representatives from each state. 100 total members
House of Representatives: The number of representatives is proportional to the population of each state. There are 435 members total.
Constitution: A system of government
Amendments: A change to a constitution
The Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments of the U.S. Constitution. Written by James Madison.
1st Amendment: Freedom of... speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
2nd Amendment: The right to bear arms (own guns)
3rd Amendment: The government cannot force citizens to house soldiers
4th-7th Amendments: Various "legal" rights. Some examples: the right to remain silent, Miranda rights, protection against unlawful search and seizure.
8th Amendment: Protection against cruel and unusual punishments.
9th Amendment: Covers other rights not specified (ex. Privacy)
10th Amendment: Anything not listed is reserved for the states to decide
Other Amendments (from the PRAXIS review, specifically)
22nd Amendment: Presidents can only serve two terms
Types of Government
Monarchy: King/Queen (royal family); they are not voted into power, but are born into power
Federalism: Systems of government where states or provinces share power with the national government
Parliamentary Systems: Ruled by a prime minister, composed of a select group of people called a parliament. It's a demoncratic system.
Oligarchy: A small group of people having control of a country, organization, or institution - a group of "elites"
Democracy: Leaders are voted in by a majority. Majority rules.
Representative Democracy: people vote for their representatives (U.S. Government type)
Dictatorship: A single leader (individual or party). They have absolute authority.
Declaration of Independence (1776): Written by Thomas Jefferson. The letter to Great Britain declaring freedom for the colonies.
Various ideas from the Declaration
Natural rights: People have certain unalienable rights, including life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Equality: All men are created equal
Individuals have a civic duty to defend these rights (Natural rights) for themselves and others
Popular sovereignty: That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, meaning the government serves the people, that is its primary purpose, and derives its power directly from them.