AG Topic 3: The Constitution

bicameral legislature

A law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate.

Popular Sovereignty

A government in which the people rule by their own consent.

Limited Government

The idea that certain restrictions should be placed on government to protect the natural rights of citizens.

Constitutionalism

Basic principle that government and those who govern must obey the law; the rule of law

Separation of Powers

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

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Rule of Law

No one is above the law

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to declare laws unconstitutional

Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Unconstitutional

Not allowed under the constitution

James Madison

"Father of the Constitution," Federalist leader, and fourth President of the United States.

Alexander Hamilton

United States statesman and leader of the Federalists

Andrew Johnson, Bill Clinton, Donald Trump

presidents who have been impeached but not removed from office

Amendment

A change to the Constitution

Thomas Jefferson

12th amendment added after presidential election of 1800

Bill of Rights

First 10 amendments to the Constitution

treaty

a formal agreement between the governments of two or more countries

Electoral College

the body of electors who formally elect the United States president and vice-president

Cabinet

A group of advisers to the president.

Ratification

Formal approval

Franklin D. Roosevelt

22nd amendment proposed to limit term after his presidency

executive agreement

an agreement between the president and the leader of another country

senatorial courtesy

Presidential custom of submitting the names of prospective appointees for approval to senators from the states in which the appointees are to work.

Division of Powers

basic principle of federalism; the constitutional provisions by which governmental powers are divided on a geographic basis

delegated powers

powers granted by the constitution

Expressed powers

powers that congress has that are specifically listed in the constitution

implied powers

Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions.

inherent powers

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

reserved powers

Powers not specifically granted to the federal government or denied to the states belong to the states and the people

exclusive powers

powers only the national government may exercise

concurrent powers

powers shared by the national and state governments

Supremacy Clause

Constitution is the supreme law of the land

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Constitution's requirement that each state accept the public acts, records, and judicial proceedings of every other state

Enabling Act

A congressional act directing the people of a United States territory to frame a proposed State constitution as a step towards admission to the Union

categorical grants

Federal grants that can be used only for specific purposes, or "categories," of state and local spending. They come with strings attached, such as nondiscrimination provisions.