Which branch of government did the founding fathers intent to be the most powerful?

Chapter 9: Congress
-Which branch of government did the founding fathers intent to be the most powerful? Why?
-Ultimately, how did the Connecticut Compromise influence the development and structure of Congress? Is Congress a unicameral national legislature or a bicameral national legislature?
-List six enumerated powers of Congress.
-List three implied powers of Congress.
-List four ways that Congress is limited in its power.
-How many members are in the House of Representatives? Is the House the upper or lower chamber? Is membership in the House based on population or equality? What are the age and citizenship requirements? What unique powers are given to the House that the Senate does not possess? Do members of the House have term limits?
-How many members are in the Senate? Is the Senate the upper or lower chamber? Is membership in the Senate based on population or equality? What are the age and citizenship requirements? What unique powers are given to the Senate that the House does not possess? Do members of the Senate have term limits?
-Describe the three styles of Representation (Delegate, Trustee, and Politico).
-Described the two types of representation (Descriptive Representation and Constituency Ties)
-Understand how the House of Representatives determines representation (Census, Reapportionment,
Redistricting, Gerrymandering, Incumbency). Refer back to Chapter 5.
-Describe the leadership structure in the House of Representatives.
-Describe the leadership structure in the Senate.
-Define the following House and Senate committees: standing, select, joint, and conference. What are some examples of standing committees in the House and Senate?
-Briefly, describe how a bill becomes a law.
Chapter 10: The Bureaucracy
-What does the constitution specifically state about our federal bureaucracy? Which branch of government houses the federal bureaucracy?
-Which branch of government creates federal departments and agencies, funds their budgets, and has oversight authority over the US federal bureaucracy?
-Which branch of government enforces the day-to-day operations of the agencies and departments that make up the US federal bureaucracy?
-Describe the four types of departments and agencies within the bureaucracy. Provide an example for each. (Presidential Cabinet, Independent Agencies, Regulatory Agencies or Commissions, Government Corporations)
-Who are the “bureaucrats?”
-What are the four main functions of the federal bureaucracy? (describe each)
-What are six ways that bureaucracies accomplish their functions? (describe each)
Chapter 11: The Presidency
-What trends and events of the 20th Century have increased the power of the US Presidency?
-What are the formal requirements (POTUS)? Is the POTUS term limited?
-List four ways that the president’s power is limited?
-Does the Electoral College give power to large states, small and medium size states, and/or swing states?
-What are the enumerated powers of the Presidency?
-What are the implied powers of the Presidency?
-Define “executive order.” Provide one example.
-What are the five roles of the Presidency (or “hats” of the president)? (briefly describe each)
-List the fifteen positions in the president’s cabinet. Briefly describe their roles.
-What are the responsibilities of the Vice President?
-Describe the following positions within the Executive Office of the President: White House Chief of Staff, National Security Advisor, White House Press Secretary.
-Describe the following aspects of the impeachment process: impeachment inquiry (stage 1), articles of impeachment (stage 2), impeachment (stage 3), and the impeachment trial (stage 4). In which stages is the House involved? Senate?
-What are the first four positions in the line of presidential succession (25th Amendment)? Besides the impeachment process, how else can a president be removed from office (25th Amendment)?
Chapter 12: Judicial Branch
-What are laws? (define) How does history and culture help to shape a country’s legal system?
-How did British common law influence the US legal system? What are legal precedents?
-What is judicial review (Judiciary Act of 1789 and Marbury V. Madison)? Why is this legal principal important in the process of strengthening the “rule of law?” How does this principal increase the power of the Supreme Court?
-Define the following types of law: constitutional law, administrative law, statutory law, criminal law, and civil law.
-Describe the legal standard in criminal law cases, which is “reasonable doubt?” Who has the burden of proof: government lawyers (US Attorney or District Attorney) or the defense?
-Describe the legal standard in civil cases: preponderance of evidence.
-Define the following: search warrant, arrest warrant, warrantless searches. Which amendment to the US Constitution provides guidance pertaining to “search and seizure?”
-What is the exclusionary rule?
-What is the legal precedent set forth in the case of Miranda V. Arizona?
-Due process includes innocence until proven guilty, the right to remain silent, arrangement hearings,
indictments (charges), fair trial and a jury of peers, and the right to an attorney. What is due process?
-What was the difference between Federalist and Anti-Federalist views of the Judicial Branch? Which view became the norm?
-Briefly describe the process and structure of the Federal Court System: District Courts (first court), Courts of Appeals, Supreme Court.
-What is original jurisdiction? Appellate jurisdiction?
-Describe the process for selecting federal judges (all three levels as well as US Attorneys)? In other words, who appoints and who approves these positions? Is this process a “check and balance?”
-How do the legal philosophies of “liberal” and “conservative” judges differ?
-How is the SCOTUS limited in its power?
-Define the following opinions of the SCOTUS: majority opinion, dissenting opinion, and concurring opinion. Which type of opinion has judicial review and sets legal precedents?
Chapter 13-Civil Liberties
-What are civil liberties? Where are they primarily located in the US Constitution?
-Describe John Locke’s Social Contract Theory. What are inalienable rights (John Locke)? How did this theory influence our understanding of civil liberties? What was the first social contract (not US)?
-List ALL the civil liberties (freedoms) that are guaranteed in the US Constitution. Group these civil liberties into three broad categories: basic/fundamental freedoms, property rights, and rights of the accused (due process). What categories would the following two civil liberties fall under?
a. the right to vote
b. trial by jury in criminal cases
(note: both are in the body of the US Constitution and not in the Bill of Rights)
-Are there reasonable limits to each of these civil liberties? If so, describe the limits of two civil liberties?
Chapter 14: Civil Rights
-Define “civil rights.”
-Compare and contrast the terms “civil rights” and “civil liberties.” In other words, how are these terms different and how are they related?
-What clause in the US Constitution is the foundation for civil rights actions in the United States?
-What is “de jure discrimination?” What is “de facto discrimination?” Provide one example for each.
-What is “affirmative action?” What are the pros and cons?
-Describe these theories of racism: nativism and superior/inferior.
-List some civil rights actions in US history (executive, legislative, judicial…..on the federal, state, and local levels). HINT: refer to Chapter 14 PowerPoint for examples. Include the 13th, 14th, 15th, 19th, and 24th amendments.
-Ultimately, civil rights actions by the different branches and levels of US government extend civil liberties to groups of people who have been traditionally and unjustly discriminated against. List the groups of people that are now protected under the equal protection clause of the 14th amendment.

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