Honors Civics Unit 2 - The Constitution

Article of Confederation

The first government of the U.S. ratified in 1781. Put much of the power with the state governments (including the power to tax and regulate trade), this left the national government weak and unable to raise money to pay back war debts.

enumerated powers

Powers specifically given to Congress in the Constitution; including the power to collect taxes, coin money, regulate foreign and interstate commerce, and declare war.

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people

Shay's Rebellion (1786)

Armed uprising of western Massachusetts debtors seeking lower taxes and an end to property foreclosures. Though quickly put down, the insurrection inspired fears of "mob rule" among leading Revolutionaries.

ex post factor

law that penalizes actions that took place before the law was approved

habeaus corpus

power denied to states, can't be take away unless public safety is threatened - unlawful detention or imprisonment

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.

conference committee

Committee made up of members of both houses that compromise on a bill to be passed by both houses

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

the "winner takes all" rule

The principle allowing a presidential candidate to win or lose all the seats allocated to a state in the electoral college depending on his score.

Swing State

a state that does not consistently vote either Democratic or Republican in presidential elections

Cabinet

Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president.

executive order

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Elastic/Necessary and Proper Clause

The clause in Article I, Section 8, that grants Congress the power to do whatever is necessary to execute its specifically delegated powers.

Maurbury vs Madison

Established judicial review (Supreme Court could determine the constitutionality of laws)

Judicial Review

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws

original jurisdiction

The jurisdiction of courts that hear a case first, usually in a trial. These are the courts that determine the facts about a case.

appellate jurisdiction

The authority of a court to review decisions made by lower courts

treason

the crime of betraying one's country

What are the three branches of government?

Legislative Congress (the senate and House) and special agencies

Executive - President and advisors

Judicial - Supreme Court and lower courts - evaluates laws

How are the numbers of representatives determined for each state in the House and Senate?

in the House of Representatives is determined by population, with each state guaranteed at least one representative, while the Senate has two senators from each state, regardless of population.

How did the United States embody at least two principles laid out in the preamble of the constitution.

By stating "We the People", the preamble states that the power comes from the people

Promote each state's "mutual and general welfare" and to protect the and secure each states liberty

minimum ages

Representative- 25

Senator- 30

President - 35

Citizenship requirements

Representative - a person must be a citizen of the United States for at least seven years

Senator - U.S. citizen for at least nine years

President - natural born citizen of US

Years in term

Representative - 2 year terms and are considered for reelection every even year.

Senator 6 years

President 6 years

# in US Government

Representative -435

Senator - 100

President - 1

What is the role of the House in the impeachment process?

Holds the power to impeach

What is the role of the Senate in the impeachment process?

Conducts impeachment trials

Powers of congress in Article 1 Section 8 of the Constitution. * Short answer response

powers of Congress, including the authority to lay and collect taxes, regulate commerce, declare war, raise and support armies and a navy, and make laws necessary for carrying out these powers.

How does a bill become a law?

1. idea is written into a bill and introduce to one of the houses

2. Assigned to a committee where it is revised and approved

3. Sent to the floor of the house where it is introduced, debated and voted on

4. Sent to the other house committee floor and then voted on

5. Sent to President

What is the formula for determining how many electors each state gets in the electoral college.

The number of electors is equal to its total number of senators and representatives in congress

How do political candidates select their candidate? * short answer question

candidates go through a series of state primary elections and caucuses where, based on the number of votes they receive from the electorate, they win a certain number of delegates. The delegates—people authorized to represent their state—will vote for their assigned candidate at their political party's convention.

Describe the responsibilities and powers of the president.* short answer question.

The President is Commander in Chief of United States Armed Forces and is empowered to make treaties and appointments within the federal government (with Senate approval). He is also required to report to Congress annually on the state of the union, and may also propose legislation and veto bills

How does each branch check each other?

Executive: the president can veto the legislation

Legislative: overrides veto with a 2/3 vote

Judicial: can call a law unconstitutional

One power that states have

regulate matters like education,

One power that the national government has

establish and maintain a military

One power the states and national government both have

the power to tax

How long can a Supreme Court justice keep their job

Their whole life

What branch of government is responsible for setting up the judicial branch?

Congress

How is the Constitution amended? What are the two fractions involved

when 2/3 of Congress or 3/4 of the states approve of it