Government Test Review Flashcards

proportional

corresponding in size - # of electors each state has is related to population

republic

A form of government in which the people select representatives to govern them and make laws.

compromise

a settlement of differences in which each side gives up something

petition

A formal request - to apply for something

depreciate

to reduce in price or value

bicameral

A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

Federalist

A term used to describe supporters of the Constitution during ratification debates in state legislatures.

Federalism

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

amendment

A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law

Enlightenment

took place during the 1700s, spread the idea that reason and logic could improve society

manumission

A grant of legal freedom to an individual slave.

constitution

A document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society

US Constitution

"The supreme law of the land." Outlines structure & power of 3 branches of national government. Written to replace Articles of Confederation and create stronger central government.

depression

A long-term economic state characterized by unemployment and low prices and low levels of trade and investment

ordinance

a law

ratify

To approve

legislative branch

Branch of government that makes the laws - Article I of Constitution

executive branch

Article II - enforces or carries out laws

judicial branch

Interprets the laws - Article III

Electoral College

A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president - based on population of state

article

section of the Constitution - piece of...

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

Articles of Confederation

1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

President

Head of Executive Branch at National Level

Congress

Head of Legislative Branch at National Level

Supreme Court

Head of Judicial Branch at National Level

Shays Rebellion

1786 revolt by Massachusetts farmers seeking relief from debt and foreclosure that was a factor in the calling of the Constitutional Convention

confederacy

weak alliance of states

federal

national

sovereign

independent

President Trump

Chief Executive of nation in 2023

limited government

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

Virginia Plan

Also known as the Big State Plan. Wanted proportional representation in Congress (based on population).

New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population.

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature (Senate) and representation based on population in the other house (House of Representatives)

James Madison

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

Delaware

First state to ratify Constitution

Kathy Hochul

Head of NYS Executive Branch

NYS Assembly

Head of Legislative Branch in NY

Town Board

head of town legislative branch

Town Supervisor

Head of town executive branch

Yorktown Town Court

Head of town judicial branch

US Senate

known as upper house

6 years

term limit for US Senate

2 years

term limit for House of Representatives

House of Representatives

known as lower house

9

# of members of US Supreme Court

Chief Justice

title of leader of Supreme Court

Charles Schumer

senior US Senator from NY

Kirsten Gillibrand

junior US Senator from NY

Bill of Rights

Added AFTER the Constitutional Convention; created to gain support of anti-Federalists; guaranteed rights of individuals First TEN AMENDMENTS

Ed Lachterman

Town Supervisor of Yorktown

Town Hall

Head of legislative branch of Yorktown meets here

Federalist Papers

a series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay (using the name "publius") published in NY newspapers and used to convice readers to adopt the new constitution

435

# of members of House of Representatives

100

# of US Senators total

Thomas Jefferson

AntiFederalist who later became 4th President

The President

nominates Supreme Court Justices --- can veto bills --- can sign bills into laws --- can make treaties with foreign nations --- head of American Foreign Policy

Senate

must confirm Supreme Court nominees

Mike Lawler

represents us in House of Representatives

population

House of representatives is based on this

equal representation

Senate is based on this

2nd amendment

Right to bear arms

1st amendment

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

3rd amendment

No quartering of Soldiers

4th amendment

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

8th amendment

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

anarchy

a lack of government and law; confusion

founding fathers

Leaders who laid the groundwork for the United States

Framers of Constitution

Group of delegates who drafted the United States Constitution at the Philadelphia Convention in 1787.

Supremacy Clause

National law supersedes all other laws passed by states

Cabinet

A group of advisers to the president.

Delegated powers

Constitutional powers granted solely to the federal government.

Reserved powers

Powers given to the state government alone

Concurrent powers

powers shared by the state and federal governments

JD Vance

VP of USA

535 members

total members of the U.S Congress Senate 100 House of Representatives 435

Mr. Carney

The greatest teacher ever

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail. Wanted to get Constitution ratified.

Enlightenment

a movement that emphasized science and reason as guides to help see the world more clearly

1st Amendment

free speech free religion free press petition and right to assembly

5th Amendment

The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process

4th Amendment

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

7th Amendment

Right to a trial by jury in civil cases

9th Amendment

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

10th Amendment

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

Sixth Amendment

Right to a speedy and public trial

President of the Constitutional Convention

George Washington

delegated powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government by the US Constitution, for example, the authority to print money.

reserved powers

Powers given to the state government alone

concurrent powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.