Unit II Review: The Constitution, Principles of Government, Federalism, and Grants-in-Aid

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering the structure of the U.S. Constitution, the three branches, the Bill of Rights, principles of government, specific checks and balances, federalism powers, types of grants-in-aid, and the constitutional amendment process.

The Constitution

The "basic rule book" or foundational set of laws for a country; recognized as the supreme law of the land in America, the official framework for the U.S. government, and the protector of citizens' rights.

Supremacy Clause

The constitutional provision stating that the Constitution, federal laws, and treaties take precedence over any state laws.

Preamble

The introductory part of the Constitution that acts as a mission statement for the government, outlining who, what, why, and the goals it is trying to achieve.

"To form a more perfect union"

A Preamble goal centered on building a stronger national government than the one that previously existed under the Articles of Confederation.

Article I

The article of the Constitution that establishes the Legislative Branch of the federal government and sets up a bicameral legislature divided into the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Article II

The article of the Constitution that establishes the Executive Branch, which enforces and carries out national laws.

Article III

The article of the Constitution that establishes the Judicial Branch of the federal government to interpret laws.

Article IV

The article of the Constitution that outlines relations among the states as well as the relationship between the federal government and the states.

Article V

The article of the Constitution that sets up the rules and process for how the Constitution can be changed or amended.

Article VI

The article of the Constitution that establishes the supreme legal authority of the federal government.

Article VII

The article of the Constitution that sets the rules for how the new government would come into existence.

Legislative Branch

The branch of the federal government responsible for making laws.

Executive Branch

The branch of the federal government responsible for enforcing and carrying out laws.

Judicial Branch

The branch of the federal government responsible for interpreting laws.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, which protect fundamental individual rights.

1st Amendment

Guarantees freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms.

3rd Amendment

Protects citizens against the forced quartering of soldiers.

4th Amendment

Guarantees protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

5th Amendment

Protects the rights of accused persons, ensuring due process of law and protection against double jeopardy.

6th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a speedy and public trial for criminal defendants.

7th Amendment

Guarantees the right to a jury trial in civil cases.

8th Amendment

Provides protection from cruel and unusual punishment.

9th Amendment

States that rights not specifically listed in the Constitution still belong to the people.

10th Amendment

Affirms that powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states and the people.

Popular Sovereignty

The political principle that the power and authority of a government come directly from the people, exemplified by citizens voting for their leaders.

Limited Government

A political system where the power and authority of the governing body are strictly restricted by law, meaning government officials must obey the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

A system of government that divides power among distinct branches (Congress, the President, and the courts) so that each has different jobs to keep a single group from gaining control.

Checks and Balances

A constitutional system that gives each branch of government the power to limit or check the other branches.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to examine laws, rules, or government actions to determine whether they follow the Constitution.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided and shared between a central national government and individual state or regional governments.

Executive Check on the Legislative Branch

A specific check and balance action illustrated when the President vetoes a bill or law passed by Congress.

Judicial Check on the Legislative Branch

A specific check and balance action where the Supreme Court rules that a law passed by Congress violates the Constitution.

Legislative Check on the Executive Branch

A specific check and balance action where the Senate rejects a President's Supreme Court nominee or Congress votes to override a presidential veto.

Legislative Check on the Judicial Branch

A specific check and balance action where the House of Representatives impeaches a federal judge.

Exclusive Powers

Powers possessed solely by the federal government, including declaring war, coining and printing money, raising an army, making treaties, and setting immigration policy.

Reserved Powers

Powers held solely by state governments, including conducting elections, issuing driver's and marriage licenses, operating public education, and providing police protection.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both the federal and state governments, including collecting taxes, borrowing money, establishing courts, enforcing laws, building roads, police powers/public safety, and spending for public purposes.

Block Grant

Federal money given to states for broad, general purposes with few strings attached, characterized by a low level of federal control (such as Pennsylvania receiving funds for transportation improvements to spend at its discretion).

Categorical Grant

Federal funds given to states for specific, closely defined purposes with strict guidelines, characterized by a high level of federal control (such as federal funds restricted exclusively to a school lunch program).

Project Grant

A type of categorical grant awarded on the basis of competitive applications, characterized by a high level of federal control (such as a school district applying for funding to research a new reading program).

Formula Grant

A type of categorical grant distributed according to a predetermined algebraic formula, characterized by a low level of federal control (such as money distributed among states based on population size).

Constitutional Amendment Process

A deliberately difficult procedure designed to prevent quick, temporary changes to the country's most important laws and to ensure widespread consensus; out of approximately 11,000 proposed amendments since 1789, only 27 have been ratified.