Constitution/Federalism Test Review

Amendment

__ to the Constitution, both written and unwritten, can be made in one of two basic ways

Executive Agreement

Pact made by the President, using the process of __, carries the same force of law as a treaty

Rule of Law

Dictators may operate outside __, but under the Constitution, the gov’t and its officers must obey it

Democracy

People who are the only source of governmental power in a system of __

Constitutionalism

Gov’ts that obey the fundamental law of the land are abiding by the prin. of __

Unconstitutional

In the US, any gov’t action that denies someone fair and equal treatment under the law may be declared __

Checks and Balances

System that helps keep one branch of gov’t from dominating the actions of the others

Separation of Powers

Constitution provides for the __ by creating three distinct branches of gov’t: legis. exec. and judicial

Bill fo Rights

first ten amendments, that provide the protection of basic indiv. rights and liberties are called __

Formal Amendment

changes to the written provisions of the Constitution may be made only through the process of __

Federalism

Framers reconciled the need for an effective central gov’t w/a respect for State gov’t by creating a sys. of __

Lack of Bill of Rights

What most angered the Anti-Federalists about the Constitution?

What is federalism?

Div. of power b/w the nat’l and state gov’t

Vague

What characteristic of the lang. of the Constitution has allowed it to endure for more than 200 yrs?

Difference b/w Informal and Formal Amendment

formal is the actual change to the written constitution (27 Amendments), informal does not involve changing the writing of the constitution

Judiciary Act of 1789

informal amendment in the form of a legislative act that set up the Judicial Branch

Formal Amendment Process incorporate Federalism

proposed at the nat’l level, ratified at the state level

Informal amendment process so imporant

Keeps constitution flexible and up to date

Cabinet

The President’s __, advisers, an example of an informal amendment

Concept of Limited Gov’t

Gov’t only has the power granted to it by the ppl

Concept of Separation of Powers

dist. of legis, exec., and judicial powers b/w three separate branches of gov’t

Example of Popular Sovereignty

“We the People…do ordain and est. this Constitution.”

Example of Limited Gov’t

Gov’t officials are never above the law

Example of Checks and Balances

The President appoints federal judges.

Example of Federalism

The nat’l gov’t conducts foreign policy

Example of Separation of Powers

The Exec. Branch has the responsibility to carry out the law

Example of Republicanism

The people elect rep. to serve on their behalf

5 & 14

Due Process Amendments

13-15

Civil War Amendments

Connecticut Compromise

settled the debate over the rep. in Congress based on pop. in the House of Rep (Virginia Plan) & = rep. in the Senate (NJ Plan)

Commerce & Slave Trade Compromise

stated that the gov’t could not tax exports and the salve trade discussion would be tabled for 20 yrs

3/5 Compromise

slaves would be counted as 3/5 of a person for the purpose of rep. in the House of Representatives

Federalists

favored a stronger central gov’t

Anti-Federalists

opposed a stronger central gov’t and demanded a Bill of Rights to protect citizens from actions of the gov’t

James Madison

Father of the Constitution

1

freedom of religion, speech, press and assembly, to let the gov’t know if you disagree w/its actions

2

right to bear arms

3

troops aren’t required to be quartered

4

no unreasonable search/seizures

5

accused of crime? innocent until proven guilty by jury

6

right to speedy & fair trial

8

no excessive bail/fines, no cruel/unusual punishment

9

citizens have additional rights not listed in the Constitutions

10

gov’t can only do what is stated in the Constitution, rest is up to the states and citizens

7

Right to a jury