Constitution & Bill of Rights Unit Review

Flashcards for key terms from the Constitution & Bill of Rights unit, covering foundational concepts of American government.

House of Representatives

The lower chamber of the U.S. Congress, with 435 voting members proportioned by state population. Members must be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.

Senate

The upper chamber of the U.S. Congress, with 100 members (two per state). Senators must be at least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and an inhabitant of the state they represent.

Expressed powers of Congress

Specific powers granted to Congress explicitly in the U.S. Constitution, such as the power to declare war, coin money, regulate interstate commerce, and raise and support armies.

President

The head of the executive branch of the U.S. government and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces. Requirements include being a natural-born citizen, at least 35 years old, and a resident within the U.S. for 14 years.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the U.S. Constitution, formed every four years for the sole purpose of electing the President and Vice President of the United States.

Judicial Branch

The part of the U.S. government responsible for interpreting laws and administering justice, comprising the Supreme Court and lower federal courts.

Adding New States

The process by which a territory becomes a state, typically requiring an enabling act from Congress, followed by the territory drafting a constitution and seeking Congressional approval for admission into the Union.

Supremacy Clause

Article VI, Clause 2 of the U.S. Constitution, establishing that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under its authority, constitute the supreme law of the land.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided and shared between a national (federal) government and state governments.

Amendment Process

The formal procedure for changing the U.S. Constitution, involving proposal (by Congress or national convention) and ratification (by state legislatures or state conventions).

Popular Sovereignty

The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people, who are the source of all political power.

Separation of Powers

The division of governmental responsibilities into distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to prevent the concentration of power in any one branch.

Checks and Balances

A system built into the U.S. government structure where each branch has certain powers over the others to prevent any single branch from becoming too powerful.

Limited Government

A political system where the powers of the government are restricted by laws or a constitution, protecting individual rights and liberties.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts, particularly the Supreme Court, to determine whether acts of the legislative and executive branches are consistent with the U.S. Constitution.