study guide social studies unit 3

Legislative Branch

Makes laws, declares war, ratifies treaties, and controls government spending.

House of Representatives

Part of Congress with 435 members, representation based on state population, serving two-year terms.

Senate

Part of Congress with 100 members (two per state), serving six-year terms.

Executive Branch

Enforces laws, commands the armed forces, conducts foreign policy, and nominates federal judges.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the land, composed of nine justices who serve for life or until retirement.

Checks and Balances

System that ensures that each branch of government can limit the powers of the others.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a national government and regional governments.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically granted to the national government by the Constitution.

Reserved Powers

Powers not delegated to the national government nor denied to the states, reserved for states or the people.

Concurrent Powers

Powers that are exercised by both federal and state governments.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the Constitution but necessary to carry out enumerated powers.

Suffrage

The right to vote, originally limited to white male property owners.

15th Amendment

Granted African American men the right to vote in 1870.

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote in 1920.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to 18 in 1971.

Primary Elections

Elections where voters choose party candidates for the general election.

General Elections

Elections where voters choose among candidates from different parties for various offices.

Electoral College

System used to elect the President and Vice President, requiring a majority of electoral votes.

Winner-Take-All

System where the candidate who wins the popular vote in a state receives all of its electoral votes.