Purdue University Civics Literacy Study Guide for Practice Exam 2026 Rated 100% Correct

CIVICS CIVICS Purdue University Civics Literacy Study Guide for Practice Exam 2026 Rated 100% Correct Private life - -relates to a citizen’s right to privacy and the pursuit of private and personal interests. Civic life - -the public life of the citizen concerned with the affairs of the community and nation Limited Government - -the government has only the powers granted to it in the constitution, and it can only conduct actions permitted by the constitution. In other words these are established and respected restraints on government power. Rule of Law - -an essential component of limited government. Society is governed according to widely known and accepted rules followed not only by government but also by those in authority. Checks and Balances - -The Constitutionally granted power for one branch of government to block action by an equal branch of government. The Constitution specifies instances in which one of the three branches can stop action by another. Separation of powers - -The Constitution keeps the three branches of government (executive, legislative, and judicial) separate. The powers and responsibilities of each is described in a separate Article. Separation makes each Branch the equal of the others. Declaration of Independence - -the public act by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of Britain. Articles of Confederation - -1st Constitution of the U.S. (government weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade, declare war, raise revenue, coin money, or control international tarrifs.) Power was in the states (provide troops and money, own currency, own tarrifs. Tax goods) Took agreement of 9 states before the government could act and every state had to agree before articles were to change. CIVICS CIVICS Great Compromise or Connecticut compromise (revised constitution) - -1787 combined Virginia and New Jersey plans calling for bicameral legislature or two houses. House of representatives in which larger states had more representatives and the senate where each state had 2 senators regardless of population. Creation of electoral collage and Supreme Court Power to congress not states (raise taxes, coin money, regulate commerce between state and foreign, pass necessary and proper laws, war power, ability to amass forces to fight war, power to declare war, president was comander in chief) Electoral College - -the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president. The number of electors depends on states population Supreme Court - -Consists of nine justices, each appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress. Approval by the senate. Appointment is for life. Supreme Court exercises the power to determine constitutionality of laws. 3/5ths clause 1787 - -Method the Constitution laid out for counting the populations among Southern states for "proportional" representation in Congress, slaves would not be citizens but counted as 3/5 of a person, South wanted slaves to count because then they'd have more representation but the North didn't. So out of 5 slaves it accounted 3 people. Legislative Branch - -the branch of government that makes the laws Judicial Branch - -the branch of government, including the federal court system, that interprets the nation's laws Executive Branch - -the branch of government that carries out laws President and vice president - -elected by electoral college Serve 4 year terms Senators - -elected in state wide election Serve 6 year terms 1/3 is up for election each year 100 members Ratify treaties and vote on presidential appointments Elected by the people CIVICS CIVICS House of Representatives - -the lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population. Elected every 2 years, 435 members, run congressional districts formed within individual states Death penelty - -new York was first state to adopt electrocution method. The Supreme Court has not ruled any specific method. Federalism - -a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states States can experiment with different polices 19th Amendment (1920) - -Gave women the right to vote Prior to this wyoming grated right in 1869 Redistricting - -The redrawing of congressional and other legislative district lines following the census, to accommodate population shifts and keep districts as equal as possible in population. (completed every 10 years) Gerrymandering - -politicians in charge of redistricting decide to redraw the districts in such a way to give them an advantage over their opponents. State of the union - -An annual speech in which the president addresses Congress to report on the condition of the country and recommend policies. How a bill becomes a law - -1. Written 2. Discussed in committee + voted 3. Discussed in House of Reps. And Senate + voted on in both 4. President signs it or vetoes it (which brings back to Congress, needs 2/3 vote to override veto) Filibuster - -A procedural practice in the Senate whereby a senator refuses to relinquish the floor and thereby delays proceedings and prevents a vote on a controversial issue by talking non stop. Today referred to as "Opose Cloture" Process of impeachment - -House brings charges against president (needs majority vote) - senate tries the case of impeachment - 2/3 vote to remove from office and convict them of treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors Today 0 presidents removed from office but 15 judges have been 3 total presidents have been impeached (Donald Trump, Bill clinton, andrew johnson) Factors that influence congress votes - - 1. Party members can pressure to think one way v. Another 2. The position of the president can influence 3. Interest groups will lobby members of congress to get them to vote a certain way CIVICS CIVICS 4. Listening to constituents (the voters) 5. The individuals own opinion Requirements to be President - -1. At least 35 years old 2. Lives in US 14 years 3. Natural born citizen Powers of presidnet - - 1. Appointment of judges and justices to federal courts, department heads, and ambassadors al from office of cabinet members and ambassadors (but NOT judges/justices) for inefficiency, neglect, or malfeasance convene congress of the union addresses mat in chief power and pocket veto nder in chief of the army and navy 8. Power (with senate approval) to make treaties 9. Power to pardon individuals (except in cases of impeachment) 10. Power to recommend legislation 11. Power to veto Power and process of supreme court - -Article 3 - can hear or reject any case they want -must hear disputes between two states and disputes over controversaries high seas - 4 justices want to hear a case called "granting cert" - the parties submit written arguments - then oral arguments - then justices meet in conferance -majority opinion drafted then others weigh in - does not appear on TV Audio of oral arguments is available Supreme court - -Established in 1869 9 justices 8 associate justices 1 cheif justice Appointed by the president and confirmed by senate Can be removed from office but serve life terms Freedom of speech (1st amendment) - -- protects freedom of the press -individuals can join together in groups -freedom of speech Freedom of Religion - -people shall be free to exercise their religion, and government may not establish a religion CIVICS CIVICS Sherbert Test - -a standard for deciding whether a law violates the free exercise clause; a law will be struck down unless there is a "compelling governmental interest" at stake and it accomplishes its goal by the "least restrictive means" possible (today no longer applies to states but to federal) 14th Amendment - -Declares that all persons born in the U.S. are citizens and are guaranteed equal protection of the laws 14th amendment - -1) Citizenship for African Americans, 2) Repeal of 3/5 Compromise, 3) Denial of former confederate officials from holding national or state office, 4) Repudiate (reject) confederate debts 5) right to marry Fundamental rights - -a group of rights that have been recognized by the Supreme Court as requiring a high degree of protection from government encroachment (example is right to marry) Decloration of Sentiments - -This document detailed beliefs about social injustice toward women 13th ammendment - -abolished slavery 15th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1870): Prohibits the federal government and the states from using a citizen's race, color, or previous status as a slave as a qualification for voting. 24th ammendment - -No poll taxes Voting Rights Act of 1965 - -a policy designed to reduce the barriers to voting for those suffering discrimination. 19th ammendment - -Gave women the right to vote 26th ammendment - -lowered the voting age to 18 Unlimited government - -a government without effective means of restraining its power Republic - -A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting or delegates to make laws What is a major role of political parties in the United States - -to nominate candidates to run in elections 3rd Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -Protection from quartering of troops CIVICS CIVICS 4th Amendment of the US Constitution? - -Protection from unreasonable search and seizure 5th Amendment of the US Constitution? - -Due process, double jeopardy, self incrimination, private property right to remain silent 6th amendment (criminal) - --right to speedy and public trial -impartial jury -right to a lawyer - must be informed of what they're accused of Seventh Amendment - -Right to trial by jury 8th Amendment of the US Constitution? - -Prohibition of excessive bail, as well as cruel or unusual punishment. 9th Amendment of the US Constitution? - -Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Bill of Rights 10th Amendment of the US Constitution? - -Powers of states and people. Anything not in the constitution is left to the states. Eleventh Amendment - -When states sue other states, it automatically goes before the Supreme Court. Residents of one state cannot sue another state. Another country can't sue the US and vice verse. 12th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -Changes the method of presidential elections so that members of the electoral college cast separate ballots for president and vice president. 13th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -abolishes slavery 14th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1868): Defines United States citizenship; prohibits states from abridging citizens' privileges or immunities and right to due process and the equal protection of the law; repeals the three-fifths compromise. 15th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1870): Prohibits the federal government and the states from using a citizen's race, color, or previous status as a slave as a qualification for voting. 16th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1913): Authorizes unapportioned federal taxes on income. 17th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1913): Establishes direct election of senators. CIVICS 18th Ammendment (1919) - -Prohibited the manufacture, sale and transport of alcoholic beverages 19th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -Gave women the right to vote 20th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1933): Changes details of Congressional and presidential terms and of presidential succession. (lame duck ammendment) 21st Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1933): Repeals Eighteenth Amendment but permits states to retain prohibition and ban the importation of alcohol. 22nd Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1951): Limits president to two terms. 23rd Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1961): Grants presidential electors to the District of Columbia. 24th Ammendment (1964) - -prohibited poll taxes 25th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -(1967): Changes details of presidential succession, provides for temporary removal of president, and provides for replacement of the vice president. 26th Ammendment of the US Constitution? - -lowered the voting age to 18 - - CIVICS