U.S. Government Final Exam Key Terms

Flashcards for U.S. Government Final Exam Review

Constitutional Amendment Process

The method by which changes or additions are made to the US constitution, requiring proposal by a 2/3rds majority in congress or a constitutional convention, and ratification by 3/4th of state legislatures.

Enumerated Powers

Specific powers granted to congress by the constitution, found mainly in article I, section 8, like the power to tax, regulate commerce, and declare war.

U.S. Constitution

The foundational legal document establishing the framework of the federal government of the United States, outlining the separation of powers, federalism, and the rights of citizens.

Implied Powers

Powers not explicitly stated in the constitution but inferred from the enumerated powers, based on the necessary and proper clause (elastic clause).

Bill Of Rights

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, protecting individual liberties like freedom of speech, religion, and due process.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units (states).

Three branches of government

The division of government into the Executive (enforces laws), Legislative (makes laws), and Judicial (interprets laws) branches.

bureaucracy

The complex structure of offices, tasks, rules, and principles that coordinate the work of government agencies.

Cabinet Department/Federal Agencies

The major administrative units within the executive branch, like the Department of Defense or the Environmental Protection Agency.

Political ideology

A set of beliefs about the role and scope of government, often categorized as conservative, liberal, or moderate.

Political Party

An organized group of people with similar political aims and opinions, seeking to influence public policy by getting their candidates elected.

Checks and balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the powers of the others, preventing any single branch from becoming too powerful.

Legislative checks

• Checks executive: overrides vetoes, confirms appointments, impeaches president 

• Checks judicial: confirms judges, can impeach judges, proposes amendments

Executive checks

• Checks legislative: vetoes bills, calls special sessions, proposes budgets

• Checks judicial: appoints judges, grants pardons

Judicial checks

• Checks legislative: declares laws unconstitutional

• Checks executive: declares executive actions unconstitutional

Rule of law

The principle that all individuals and institutions are subject to the law, which is fairly applied and enforced.

Incumbent

A current officeholder running for re-election.

Partisan v. bipartisan

Partisan actions strictly follow party lines, while bipartisan efforts involve cooperation between major political parties.

Redistricting

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically following the census.

Census

A nationwide population count conducted every 10 years to allocate seats in the House of Representatives and distribute federal funds.

Simple majority v. super majority

A simple majority is more than half, while a supermajority is a higher threshold, like 2/3rds or 3/4ths, often required for significant decisions like constitutional amendments.

Gerrymander

Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor one party or group.

Judicial review

The power of the courts to declare laws and executive actions unconstitutional, established in Marbury v. Madison (1803).

Legal precedent

A previous court decision used as a rule or guide in subsequent similar cases.

Filibuster

A senate practice where a senator extends debate to delay or block legislative action.

Tribal sovereignty

The right of Native American tribes to govern themselves within US borders.

Pluralism

A theory that political power is distributed among a wide array of diverse and competing interest groups.

Writ of Habeas Corpus

A court order requiring a person detained by authorities to be brought before a judge.

Ex Post Facto Laws

Laws that criminalize actions retroactively, prohibited by the constitution.

Writ of Certiorari

An order by the Supreme Court to a lower court to send up a case review.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established the principle of judicial review, empowering the judicial branch to review and potentially invalidate legislation and executive actions that violate the Constitution.

Worcester v. Georgia (1832)

Established the principle that Native American tribes are sovereign nations with exclusive authority over their own territories, reinforcing the federal government’s primary role in managing Native American affairs.

Plessy v. Ferguson (1896)

Established the 'separate but equal' doctrine, which legalized segregation in public facilities.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson's 'separate but equal' doctrine and mandated desegregation in public schools.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Extended the right to counsel to all criminal defendants, not just those accused of serious crimes.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Established the requirement for police to inform individuals of their rights upon arrest (Miranda Rights).

Tinker v. Des Moines (1969)

Affirmed that students have First Amendment rights in public schools, as long as their speech does not cause disruption.

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Established a woman's right to choose an abortion, with restrictions based on fetal viability and the state's interest in protecting maternal health and potential life.

Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization (2022)

Overturned Roe v. Wade, declaring that there is no constitutional right to abortion, returning the authority to regulate abortion to individual states.

Impeachment of a government official

Initiated in the house, tried in the senate requiring a 2/3rds majority for conviction.

Passing a bill into law

Requires approval from both the house and senate and the president’s signature.

Appointing and confirming a Supreme Court Justice

Nominated by the president, confirmed by the senate.

Amending the U.S. Constitution

Proposed by a 2/3ds majority in congress or a constitutional convention, ratified by 3/4ths of states.

Appointing and confirming ambassadors, cabinet secretaries, and federal judges

Nominated by the president, confirmed by the senate.

George Washington

First president, set many precedents for the office.

Andrew Jackson

Expanded presidential power and fought against the national bank.

Abraham Lincoln

Preserved the union and abolished slavery through the civil war.

Theodore Roosevelt

Known for being trust-busting and the panama canal.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Led the country through the Great Depression and WWII.