Federal Government & Constitution

This set of flashcards covers key concepts and vocabulary related to the Federal Government and the Constitution.

Articles of Confederation

The first U.S. government, lasting from 1777 to 1789, characterized by a weak central government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect individual liberties.

Federalism

A political system where power is shared between the national and state governments.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to declare laws unconstitutional.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by allowing each branch to limit the others.

Limited Government

The principle that government can only exercise powers granted by the Constitution.

Direct Democracy

A form of democracy in which citizens vote directly on laws and policies.

Representative Democracy

A form of democracy where citizens elect officials to make laws on their behalf.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws necessary to carry out its powers, also known as the Elastic Clause.

Impeachment

The process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official.

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution used to elect the President.

Eminent Domain

The right of a government to take private property for public use, with compensation.

Suffrage

The right to vote in political elections.

Governor of Illinois

The elected executive head of the state of Illinois.

Impeachment Process

The process involving the House impeaching (charging) a president and the Senate trying the case.

Supreme Court Justice

An individual appointed to serve on the Supreme Court, typically for life.

Term Limits

Regulations that limit the number of terms an elected official can serve.

Elastic Clause

Another name for the Necessary and Proper Clause, which grants Congress flexibility in legislating.

Political Ideas

Fundamental principles that underlie the structure and function of government.

Recall

A direct democracy process allowing voters to remove an elected official from office.