inut 1

Declaration of Independence

Outlines the underlying ideas and principles of the U.S. Constitution and government.

Federalist No. 51

Explains checks and balances and separation of powers between the branches of government.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States.

Constitution

The document that established the framework of the U.S. government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments that protect individual rights and liberties.

John Locke

Enlightenment philosopher who believed people have natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

Thomas Hobbes

Enlightenment philosopher who believed people needed a strong government to prevent chaos.

Social Contract/Consent of the Governed

The idea that people agree to give up some freedoms in exchange for protection and order from the government.The idea that a government's power comes from the approval of the people it governs.

Democracy

A government in which the people have political power.

Direct Democracy

A system where citizens directly vote on laws and government decisions.

Republican Democracy

A system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Type of democracy in the United States

A representative or republican democracy.

Pluralism

The idea that many different groups compete and influence government policy.

Biggest weakness of the Articles of Confederation

The national government was too weak.

Could Congress collect taxes under the Articles of Confederation?

No, Congress could only request money from the states.

Executive branch under the Articles of Confederation

There was no strong executive branch.

National court system under the Articles of Confederation

There was no national court system.

Why were the Articles of Confederation replaced?

The national government was too weak to effectively solve the country's problems.

Purpose of the Constitutional Convention

To fix the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Virginia Plan

A plan for representation based on population that favored large states.

New Jersey Plan

A plan that gave every state equal representation and favored small states.

Connecticut Compromise (Great Compromise)

A compromise that created a two-house legislature.

Bicameralism/Two houses of Congress

A legislature with two chambers or houses. The House of Representatives and the Senate.

House of Representatives representation

Based on population.

Senate representation

Each state gets two senators.

Checks and Balances

A system where each branch of government can limit the power of the other branches.

Purpose of Checks and Balances

To prevent one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Separation of Powers

Dividing government power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Legislative branch

Makes laws. house -At least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for 7 years, and a resident of the state they represent.

senate - At least 30 years old, a U.S. citizen for 9 years, and a resident of the state they represent.

Executive branch

Enforces laws. At least 35 years old, a natural-born U.S. citizen, and a U.S. resident for at least 14 years.

Judicial branch

Interprets laws.

Who regulates elections?

States primarily regulate elections, although Congress has some authority over federal elections.

Who was directly elected originally?

Members of the House of Representatives.

How were senators originally chosen?

By state legislatures.

17th Amendment

Made senators directly elected by the people.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically listed in the Constitution.The power to declare war, collect taxes, or regulate interstate commerce.

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically written in the Constitution but reasonably connected to enumerated powers. Necessary and Proper Clause.

Elastic Clause

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause.

Denied Powers

Powers specifically prohibited by the Constitution.

Inherent Powers

Powers the national government has simply because it is a sovereign government.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments. Both state and federal governments can collect taxes.

Powers of Congress

Legislative powers, including making laws. Enumerated in Article I, Section 8, including authority to lay and collect taxes, borrow money, regulate interstate and foreign commerce, coin money, declare war, raise and support military forces, establish lower federal courts, and pass laws necessary and proper to execute these powers.

Powers of the President

Executive powers, including enforcing laws. including serving as Commander in Chief of the armed forces, executing federal laws, issuing executive orders, granting pardons, negotiating treaties with Senate approval, appointing federal judges and cabinet members, and vetoing or signing congressional legislation.

states (10th Amendment)

Reserves powers not given to the federal government to the states or the people.

Reserved Powers

Powers kept by the states under the 10th Amendment.

Ex Post Facto Law -denied to congress

A law that makes an action illegal after it has already been committed.

Habeas Corpus

The right of an arrested person to be brought before a court so the government must justify their detention.

Full Faith and Credit Clause vs Privileges and Immunities

States must recognize the public acts, records, and court decisions of other states. vs states generally cannot unfairly discriminate against citizens of other states.

Example of Full Faith and Credit

States generally recognize legal documents and court judgments from other states.

Supremacy Clause

The Constitution and valid federal laws are the highest laws of the land.

Federal law vs. state law

Federal law takes priority when it conflicts with a valid state law.

Two steps of the formal amendment process

Proposal and ratification.

Proposal

Officially suggesting or introducing an amendment. 2/3 of members of both houses or 2/3 of legeslaters calling for an convention

Ratification

Official approval of an amendment. ¾ of legislators or ¾ of the sates to radyfy

Formal Amendment

A change made through the official constitutional amendment process.

Informal Amendment

A change in how the Constitution is interpreted or applied without changing its wording. Judical review, social changes, technolgy

1st Amendment

Freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Five freedoms of the 1st Amendment

Religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Establishment Clause

The government cannot establish or officially favor a religion.

Free Exercise Clause

Protects people's right to practice their religion.

14th Amendment

Provides citizenship, due process, and equal protection under the law.

Suffrage

The right to vote.