Constitution test

amendment

A change to the Constitution

Anti-Federalists

Opponents of ratification of the Constitution and of a strong central government, generally.

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)

bill of attainder

A legislative act finding a person guilty of treason or felony without a trial

Bill of Rights

a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution)

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

coalition

(n.) a combination, union, or merger for some specific purpose

concurrent powers

Powers held jointly by the national and state governments.

Constitutional Convention

1787 meeting at which the U.S. Constitution was created.

enumerated powers

Powers given to the national government alone

ex post facto law

A law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed

faction

A term the founders used to refer to political parties and special interests or interest groups.

federalism

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

Federalists

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

Great (or Connecticut) Compromise

The compromise reached at the constitutional convection that was established two houses of the congress the house of representatives, in which representation is based on a state's share of the U.S. population, and the senate, in which each state has two representatives.

habeas corpus

An order to produce an arrested person before a judge.

judicial review

Review by a court of law of actions of a government official or entity or of some other legally appointed person or body or the review by an appellate court of the decision of a trial court

line-item veto

Presidential power to strike, or remove, specific items from a spending bill without vetoing the entire package; declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

New Jersey Plan

A constitutional proposal that would have given each state one vote in a new congress

republic

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

reserved powers

Powers given to the state government alone

separation of powers

Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law

Shays' Rebellion

A 1786 rebellion in which an army of 1,500 disgruntled and angry farmers led by Daniel Shays marched to Springfield, Massachusetts, and forcibly restrained the state court from foreclosing mortgages on their farms.

unalienable

A human right based on nature or God.

Virginia Plan

"Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.

majority rule

a fundamental democratic principle requiring that the majority's views be respected. Nonetheless, the Constitution originally contained a number of provisions designed to limit majority rule, including the electoral college, life tenure for Supreme Court justices, and the selection of senators by state legislators

government

the formal and informal institutions, people, and processes used to create and conduct public policy

public policy

the exercise of government power in doing those things necessary to maintain legitimate authority and control over society

democracy

a system whereby the people rule either directly or by elected representation

direct democracy

citizens meet and make decisions about public policy issues

representative democracy

citizens choose officials (representatives) who make decisions about public policy

social contract

a voluntary agreement between the government and the governed

natural rights

basic rights that are guaranteed to all persons; basic rights that a government cannot deny

Declaration of Independence

drafted in 1776 by Thomas Jefferson declaring America's separation from Great Britain

Three-Fifths Compromise

agreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House of Representatives and taxation

Commerce and Slave Trade Compromise

resolved differences between northern and southern states; Congress could not tax exports nor ban the slave trade for 20 years

ratification

method of enacting a constitution or amendment into law

The Federalist Papers

written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison to support ratification of the U.S. Constitution

constitution

document setting forth the laws and principles of the government; a plan for government

limited government

basic principle of U.S. government that each person has rights that government cannot take away

popular sovereignty

basic principle of U.S. government which holds that the people are the source of all governmental power

Marbury v. Madison

established the principle of judicial review

What are the three requirements to run for President?

-must be 35 yrs. old

-natural born citizen

-resident within US for 14 yrs.

List the 3 types of court in the Judicial Branch

Supreme. Circuit, Federal

List Powers only gives to the House

1. power of the purse

2. spending powers

3. power to select president

List the 3 branches of government and state their basic duty

Legislative- Makes laws

Executive- Enforces Laws

Judicial- Interprets Laws

3 ways to become a citizen

1. naturalization

2. right of birthplace

3. right of blood

Articles of Confederation

an established government dominated by the states

civil law

lawsuits, argument between person & person or person & the gov't

constitutional law

when an individuals rights have been infringed upon

rules of supreme court

9 justices, 4 out of 9 need to vote yes to accept case

How does Supreme Court work?

each attorney provided 30 mins to make oral argument before the court, upon conclusion of the oral arguments the justices converse, the court provides written an opinion of the issue, those disagreed write an opinion as well, establishes precednet

precedent

a rule of law to follow for similar cases of a like kind

Who elects the president?

electoral college

article 1

legislative

article 2

executive

article 3

judicial

Through an act of judicial review-

(precedence) can be overturned, meaning it is no longer the rule of law for lower courts to follow as the example of law

Who wrote the declaration of independence?

Thomas Jefferson

Which words of the declaration describe our belief in the equal rights of all persons?

"All men are created equal"

What are the unalienable rights listen in the declaration?

Rights that cannot be taken away.

Where was the deceleration signed?

August 2nd, 1776 at Philadelphia.

When did the Constitutional Convention meet?

1787

When was the Constitution put into effect?

June 21st, 1788

First 10 amendments?

Bill of Rights

What reasons for the Constituion are given in the preamble?

To form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquality, and to promote the general welfare.

How many senators does each state have?

2

Who elects senators?

People directly

How were they elected before the 17th amendment?

elected by state legislatures

Qualifications for Senator

30 years old, 9 years citizenship, residency in the state you represent

President of Senate?

Vice President

Who acts in the absence of the President of the Senate?

Pro Tempore

Senators term?

6 years

Senate in impeachment?

Jury and judge of impeachment cases

Salary of a Senator?

174k

Does the passing of a bill by the Senate and House make it a law?

President can veto and then Senate and House can overrule with a 2/3's vote.

What can Senate do?

Impeach

What happens if a Senator dies?

Governor appoints someone

House of Representatives terms

2 years

Salary of House of Reps

174k

How do we decide how many represntatives a state will get?

Based on population

How many reps are there?

435

Qualifications for House of Representatives?

25 years old, citizen for 7 years, resident in the state they represent

Presiding Officer?

Speaker of the House

People in Congress?

114

Where do all revenue bills begin?

House of Reps

How do we decide how many electos each state will get in the electoral college?

Based on population

Qualifications for President and Vice-President?

35 years old, born citizen, and 14 years residency in the U.S.

Terms of President?

2 year terms. First is 4 and second is 3.

Military power of the President?

Directs military

What vote in the Senate will approve presidential nominations?

Majority vote

What vote in Senate will approve treaties?

2/3