Redo Unit #2 GOV STUDY GUIDE

The Constitution and Federalism Notes Review for Test

Constitution

written plan of rules of govt.

Constitutional Govt.

a govt. of limited powers

Article 2

Executive Branch

Article 3

Judicial Branch

Article 4

Relations among states

Article 5

Amending the Constitution

Article 6

Supremacy Clause

Article 7

Ratification of the Constitution

Popular Sovereignty

A belief that ultimate power resides in the people.

Limited Govt.

Basic principle of U.S. govt that each person has rights that govt cannot take away

Separation of Powers

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

What is federalism?

A form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states.

What are the two levels of government in a federal system?

The federal (or national) government and the states.

Checks & Balances

used to keep the government from getting too powerful in one branch

Republicanism

the belief that government should be based on the consent of the people

Individual Rights

Basic liberties and rights of all citizens are guaranteed in the Bill of Rights.

What is the formal amendment process outlined in the Constitution?

Article 5

What is required to propose an amendment to the Constitution?

A 2/3 vote of Congress or a Constitutional Convention

What is required to ratify an amendment to the Constitution?

A 3/4 vote of state legislators or state conventions

How long does it usually take to ratify an amendment?

7 years

Executive Branch

carry out laws

Judicial Branch

Interprets the laws

Legislative Branch

Makes laws

Delegated Powers

Those powers, expressed, implied, or inherent, granted to the National Government by the constitution

Where can the delegated powers be found?

Article 1 Section 8

Expressed Powers

powers directly stated in the constitution

Examples of Expressed Powers

make treaties, coin money, declare war, grant copyrights and patents

Implied Powers

powers that congress has that are not stated explicitly in the constitution

Examples of Implied Powers

protect consumers, regulate food and drugs, prevent/clean pollution

Inherent Powers

powers claimed by a president that are not expressed in the Constitution but are inferred from it

Examples of Inherent Powers

border control and investigative power

Powers Expressly Denied

Infringe on rights (speech, press, rights of the accused, etc.)

Denied in Federal System

Can't tax states

Examples of reserved powers

license professionals, regulate sale of alcoholic beverages, conduct elections, establish local governments, establish public schools

Examples of Denied Powers

Making treaties, printing money, deny rights to citizens

Concurrent Powers

powers shared by the national and state governments

Examples of Concurrent Powers

taxes, borrowing money, making laws, establish courts

The Constitution requires what type of govt?

Republican Form

What is the National Government required to provide to the States?

Defense from foreign invasion

What does the National Government aid in protecting against in the States?

Domestic Violence

What is the principle of respect for territorial integrity?

The principle that the National Government must respect the territorial integrity of each State.

Who has the power to admit new states?

Congress

What does the Full Faith and Credit Clause require states to accept?

The public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

prevents a state from treating citizens of other states in a discriminatory manner.

Interstate Compacts

agreements between states to work together on common issues