American Government Clep Test Questions And Answers

American Government Clep Test Questions And Answers Early Immigration - ANSWER- Western and northern Europe. Second Wave - ANSWER- Immigrants from southern and eastern Europe; before and after World War II Recent Immigration - ANSWER- Large numbers of people from Latin America and Asia Machine Politics - ANSWER- an organizational style of local politics in which party bosses traded jobs, money, and favors for votes and campaign support Liberty - ANSWER- Freedom for people to do what they want Limited government - ANSWER- places relatively few restrictions on it's citizens' freedom. Laissez-faire capitalism - ANSWER- government that places relatively few restrictions on its citizens' freedom Equality - ANSWER- treated the same as everyone else Political equality - ANSWER- equality in political decision making: one vote per person, with all votes counted equally Equality of opportunity - ANSWER- Giving people an equal chance to succeed. Popular Sovereignty - ANSWER- rule by the people Majority Rule - ANSWER- the doctrine that the numerical majority of an organized group can make decisions binding on the whole group Tyranny of the majority - ANSWER- majority would ignore the basic rights of the minority Individualism - ANSWER- a belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence Rugged individualism - ANSWER- the willingness of individuals to stand along and struggle long and hard to survive and prosper Conformism - ANSWER- trying to be like everyone else Unity - ANSWER- the quality of being united into one Diversity - ANSWER- difference, variety Multiculturalism - ANSWER- embrace diversity and learn about others cultures government - ANSWER- is viewed as a necessary evil Political efficacy - ANSWER- belief that one's actions can make a difference in govt. and that the govt. listens to normal, everyday people American exceptional-ism - ANSWER- the idea that the U.S. differs from the rest of the world Divine Providences - ANSWER- The idea that America has been chosen by God to be a beacon to the world. Just principles - ANSWER- Unlike most states, the US was founded on ideas and principles, not by conquest Geography and resources - ANSWER- The great wealth of resources and relative isolation of the US for much of it's history has made America unique among most other countries in the world Diversity - ANSWER- American mix of cultures and traditions is the source of American strength. Founding Fathers - ANSWER- Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamiton, John Adoms, James Madison Constitution - ANSWER- rules that determines how power will be used legitimately in a state Declaration of Independence - ANSWER- 1776; all men are created equal Inalienable right - ANSWER- a right that all people in the world have that no one can take away Congress achieved - ANSWER- Negotiating and signing the Treaty of Paris (1783) to end revolutionary war Congress achieved - ANSWER- Passing the Northwest Ordinances (1787) to create a system for admitting new states to the union Shay's Rebellion - ANSWER- Heavy taxes and big debt, showed how weak the Natl. Govt. was. Constitutional (Philadelphia) Convention - ANSWER- created an entirely new stronger natl. govt. Annapolis Convention - ANSWER- called Congress to make the Articles to make Congress stronger Framers - ANSWER- wealthier and better educated than the average American Virginia Plan - ANSWER- based on population to represent New Jersey Plan - ANSWER- each state has equal representation Supremacy clause - ANSWER- states that the Constitution and the laws Congress passes have more weight than state and local laws. Great Compromise - ANSWER- created bicameral legislature... Senate and the House of Reps. 3/5 Compromise - ANSWER- slaves could be counted as a small population when voting Electoral College - ANSWER- presidential voting system Article 1 - ANSWER- Legislative Branch Article 2 - ANSWER- Executive Branch Article 3 - ANSWER- Judicial Branch James Madison - ANSWER- Father of the Constitution Limits on power - ANSWER- Federalism Limits on Power - ANSWER- Specificity Limits on Power - ANSWER- Checks and balances Limits on Power - ANSWER- The Bill of Rights Limits on Power - ANSWER- Rules for Elections Federalism - ANSWER- Division of power between the federal govt. and the states allows the different levels of govt. to check each other Specificity - ANSWER- a program developed with selected activities to improve skills and conditioning for the purposes of achieving a goal Checks and Balances - ANSWER- A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power The Bill of Rights - ANSWER- First 10 amendments of the Const. 1st 9 limited Congress' Power, the 10th gave states the power to make laws not included in the Constitution. Rules for Election - ANSWER- The voters have the power to change the govt. 435 - ANSWER- Seats in the House of Reps 100 - ANSWER- Seats in the Senate 6 years - ANSWER- Senators serve? 2 years - ANSWER- House of Reps serve? 4 years - ANSWER- President serves? Elastic clause - ANSWER- gives congress the power to do what is necessary Congress can - ANSWER- make laws Congress - ANSWER- has the power of the purse Prohibited powers of Congress - ANSWER- Passing an ex post facto law Prohibited powers of Congress - ANSWER- Passing a bill of attainder Prohibited powers of Congress - ANSWER- Suspending the write of habeas corpus Federalism - ANSWER- system of govt. in which the national and state govt. share power Changing the constitution - ANSWER- is called an amendmen