U.S. Government and Constitution Overview

Flashcards covering the foundational principles, structures, and amendments of the U.S. Constitution based on lecture notes.

U.S. Constitution

The supreme law of the United States.

Constitution Writing Date

The year $1787$ when the Constitution was written.

Articles of Confederation

The document that the Constitution replaced.

Three Branches of Government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial.

Legislative Branch

The branch that makes laws.

Congress

The body made of the Senate and House of Representatives.

Senator Count

Each state has $2$ senators.

House of Representatives

Representation in this body is based on population.

Executive Branch

The branch that enforces laws.

President

The leader of the Executive Branch.

Presidential Powers

The authority to veto bills and appoint judges.

Judicial Branch

The branch that interprets laws.

Supreme Court

The court that leads the Judicial Branch.

Marbury v. Madison

The case that established judicial review.

Judicial review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Checks and balances

A system where each branch limits the powers of the others.

Bill of Rights

The first $10$ amendments to the Constitution.

1st Amendment

Protects the freedoms of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms.

4th Amendment

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Guarantees due process, no double jeopardy, and the right to remain silent.

6th Amendment

Guarantees a speedy and fair trial.

Federalism

Concept where power is divided between federal and state governments.

Popular sovereignty

The principle that government gets power from the people.

Separation of powers

The division of government powers into three branches.

Amendment process

The method by which the Constitution can be changed by adding amendments.

13th Amendment

The amendment that ended slavery.

14th Amendment

Guarantees equal protection under the law.

15th Amendment

Protects voting rights regardless of race.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

26th Amendment

Lowered the voting age to $18$.