US Government - Ch. 6-8 Study Guide

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering essential terms and concepts related to the US Government as detailed in Chapters 6-8.

Chief Executive

The role of the President that involves executing the nation’s laws and ensuring government programs are carried out.

Chief Administrator

The role of the President as the manager of the executive branch.

Commander in chief

Control of the military

Foreign policy leader

Foreign policy and dealing with other nations

Chief agenda setter

Influencing the work of congress

What makes up the executive branch and who is in charge

Led by the president and includes the vice president, the cabinet, and federal agencies and commissions

Electoral College

A body of electors established by the Constitution that elects the President and Vice President.

Where did the idea of the two term limit come from and who broke it?

The idea came from George Washington, and FDR broke it serving four terms

Requirements for president

Natural born citizen, 35 years old, resident for 14 years

Presidential executive powers

Appointment and removal of key executive branch officials, issuing executive orders, maintaining executive privilege

Presidential military powers

Running the military, and even declaring war

Presidential diplomatic powers

Negotiate treaties, form alliances, establish trade relationships, diplomatic recognition

Legislative powers

Influencing congress and suggesting legislation, veto

Judicial powers

Nominate federal judges and justices, reprieves, pardons, amnesty, and commute

Presidential cabinet

15 cabinets specializing in something different that advise the president on any subject he may require relating to the duties of each member’s office.

Succession

Vice president, speaker of the house, president pro tempore of the senate

Executive orders

Formal rule of regulation instructing executive branch officials on how to carry out their jobs. Give the president great power to interpret laws passed by congress

Checks and balances of the executive branch

Presidential veto, nominates federal judges, authority over military, executive orders, pardon power

20th amendment

President and congress start date(lame duck amendment)

22nd amendment

Two term limit

25th amendment

Presidential succession and disability

Impeachment Process

The procedure by which the House of Representatives can bring charges against the President which, if upheld by the Senate, leads to removal from office.

Checks and balances of judicial branch

Declare laws passed by congress or actions unconstitutional. Interpret meaning of laws and constitution

Judicial Review

The power of the Supreme Court to determine if a law or government action is unconstitutional.

Judicial Activism

A philosophy where judges make rulings based on personal views or contemporary social values rather than established law.

Judicial Restraint

A philosophy that urges judges to limit their own power and adhere closely to precedents and the wording of laws.

Judicial Precedent

A court ruling that serves as an example for future similar cases.

The official who presides over the Senate in the absence of the Vice President.

Pardons

Presidential powers to forgive an individual for a federal crime, which alleviates any penalties.

Two Term Limit

The restriction established by the 22nd Amendment that limits a President to two terms in office.

Lame Duck Amendment

The 20th Amendment that sets the start date for presidential and congressional terms.

Federal Case

A court case involving federal laws, the U.S. Constitution, or treaties.

State Case

A court case that deals with state laws, such as state crimes or family law.

Dual Court System

The separation of federal and state courts that exercise jurisdiction over different legal issues.

Supreme Court Justices

Nine judges who have lifetime appointments to serve on the Supreme Court.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark case that established the principle of judicial review.