LAW EDUCATION FINAL

Checks and balances System where each branch of government can limit the powers of the other branches.

Consent The people give government permission to rule.

Natural rights Rights people are born with, such as life, liberty, and property.

Civic virtue Citizens putting the common good ahead of personal interests.

Constitution A written plan of government.

Republic Government where citizens elect representatives.

Common good What benefits society as a whole.

Social contract Agreement where people give up some freedoms in exchange for protection by government.

Separation of powers Dividing government into branches so no one branch becomes too powerful.

The Founders Leaders who created the United States government and Constitution.

John Locke Philosopher who believed in natural rights, social contract, and that government exists to protect rights.

Forming a social contract People agree to follow laws and give government power in return for protection.

Advantages of republican government Citizens elect leaders and representatives make informed decisions.

Disadvantages of republican government Representatives may not reflect people's wishes and government can move slowly.

Direct democracy Citizens vote directly on laws.

Representative democracy Citizens elect representatives to make laws.

Cincinnatus Roman leader who gave up power voluntarily and symbolized civic virtue.

Autocratic/Dictatorial government One ruler has total power.

Constitutional government Government limited by a constitution.

Higher law Idea that government must follow laws and principles greater than itself.

Monarchy Government ruled by a king or queen.

Baron de Montesquieu Philosopher who developed separation of powers.

Why separation of powers was included To prevent tyranny and stop one branch from becoming too powerful.

Legislative branch Branch that makes laws.

Executive branch Branch that enforces laws.

Judicial branch Branch that interprets laws.

Checks and balances examples President vetoes laws, Congress overrides vetoes, courts declare laws unconstitutional.

Unalienable rights Rights that cannot be taken away.

Common law Law based on court decisions and customs.

Veto President rejects a bill.

Popular sovereignty Government gets power from the people.

Abolish Formally end something.

Petition Formal request to the government.

Rule of law Everyone must obey the law.

Legislative supremacy Legislature has the most power in government.

Rights of Englishmen Rights including trial by jury and representative government.

Parliament England's lawmaking body.

Feudal system Medieval system based on land ownership and loyalty.

Magna Carta Document limiting the king's power and protecting rights.

Petition of Right English document stating the king could not tax without Parliament's approval.

English Bill of Rights Guaranteed rights such as free elections and fair punishment.

Proclamation of 1763 Colonists could not settle west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Stamp Act of 1765 Tax on printed materials.

Quartering Act of 1765 Colonists had to house British soldiers.

Tea Act of 1773 Gave British East India Company control of tea sales.

Boston Massacre Event where British soldiers killed five colonists.

Boston Tea Party Protest where colonists dumped tea into Boston Harbor.

Sons of Liberty Group that protested British policies.

Declaration of Independence Document declaring independence from Britain.

Parts of the Declaration of Independence Introduction, natural rights philosophy, grievances, declaration of independence.

Reasons for independence Taxation without representation and British abuses of power.

Beliefs about good government Government protects rights and is based on consent of the governed.

Date of the Declaration of Independence July 4, 1776.

Thomas Jefferson Main author of the Declaration of Independence.

Loyalists Colonists who supported Britain.

Patriots Colonists who supported independence.

Legislative supremacy vs. Massachusetts Constitution Legislative supremacy made legislature strongest; Massachusetts Constitution used separation of powers.

Articles of Confederation First U.S. government with a weak central government.

Advantages of Articles of Confederation States kept power and tyranny was prevented.

Disadvantages of Articles of Confederation Weak national government with no power to tax or enforce laws.

Northwest Ordinance of 1787 Created process for territories to become states and banned slavery in Northwest Territory.

Shays' Rebellion Farmer uprising showing weakness of Articles government.

Electoral college System used to elect the president.

Jurisdiction Authority of a court to hear a case.

Tariff Tax on imports.

Enumerated powers Powers specifically listed in the Constitution.

Delegate Representative sent to a meeting.

Original jurisdiction Court hears case first.

Impeach Formally accuse an official of wrongdoing.

Framers People who wrote the Constitution.

Philadelphia Convention Meeting held to fix the Articles of Confederation that became the Constitutional Convention.

Rules of the Philadelphia Convention Secrecy and one vote per state.

James Madison "Father of the Constitution."

Representation debate Small states wanted equal representation while large states wanted population-based representation.

Great Compromise Senate has equal representation and House is based on population.

North vs. South issues Disagreements over slavery, trade, and representation.

3/5 Compromise Enslaved people counted as three-fifths of a person for representation and taxes.

Article I Section of Constitution creating legislative branch.

Enumerated powers of Congress Tax, coin money, regulate trade, declare war.

Necessary and Proper Clause Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out powers.

General welfare clause Government may act for the benefit of the nation.

Article II Section of Constitution creating executive branch.

Enumerated powers of the Executive Commander in chief, make treaties, appoint officials, veto laws.

Article III Section of Constitution creating judicial branch.

Appellate jurisdiction Supreme Court reviews lower court decisions.

Requirements for representatives 25 years old, 7-year citizen, resident of state.

Requirements for senators 30 years old, 9-year citizen, resident of state.

Requirements for president 35 years old, natural-born citizen, 14 years U.S. resident.

Confederation government Loose alliance of independent states.

Unitary government Central government holds most power.

Faction Group with shared interests.

Federalism Power shared between national and state governments.

Supremacy clause Federal law is supreme over state law.

Judicial review Power to declare laws unconstitutional.

Ratify Formally approve.

Delegated powers Powers given to federal government.

Reserved powers Powers kept by states or people.

Shared powers Powers held by both state and federal governments.

Powers reserved by the people Rights protected by the Constitution.

Importance of supremacy clause Prevents states from overriding federal law.