Understanding the Structure of the U.S. Government

Flashcards covering key terms and definitions related to the U.S. Government structure, roles of the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches, and significant Supreme Court cases.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws, headed by the President.

Chief Executive

The role of the President in enforcing laws.

Executive Orders

Directives issued by the President to manage operations of the executive branch that have the force of law without Congressional approval.

Chief Legislator

The role of the President in influencing lawmaking.

Vetoing

The power of the President to reject laws passed by Congress.

Commander-in-Chief

The role of the President as the leader of the military.

Chief Diplomat

The role of the President in leading foreign policy and negotiating treaties.

Bicameral

Having two houses, as in the structure of Congress.

House of Representatives

One of the two houses of Congress, with representation based on population.

Senate

The other house of Congress, composed of 100 members elected by their state.

Impeach

The process by which Congress can remove a President or other officials from office.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws or executive orders unconstitutional.

Marbury v. Madison

The 1803 case that established the principle of judicial review.

Supreme Court

The highest court in the United States, consisting of 9 justices.

Brown v. Board of Education

The 1954 decision that declared segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland

The 1819 case that strengthened federal power over states and confirmed congressional authority to create a national bank.

Dobbs v. Jackson

The 2022 decision that left abortion rights up to the states and overturned Roe v. Wade.