U.S. Government Review Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards for reviewing key terms and concepts in U.S. Government.

Articles of Confederation

America's first constitution; created a weak central government and was replaced by the U.S. Constitution.

Bully pulpit

Presidents use of visibility to influence the public and Congress.

Bureaucracy

System of government agencies that implement laws and policies.

Checks and balances

System where each branch limits the powers of the others.

Civil liberties

Freedoms protected from government interference (e.g., speech, religion).

Concurrent powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Congressional Powers

Enumerated and implied powers granted to Congress.

Declaration of Independence

Document declaring the American colonies' separation from Britain; emphasized natural rights and consent of the governed.

Electoral College

Body of electors that formally elects the U.S. President.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment; requires states to provide equal protection under the law.

Executive power

Power to enforce laws; vested in the President.

Executive privilege

President's right to withhold information from Congress/judiciary.

Expansion of civil rights

Broadening protections against discrimination for marginalized groups.

Federal grants

Funds given to states by the federal government for specific purposes.

Federalism

Division of power between national and state governments.

Federalist 10

Essay by Madison arguing that a large republic is the best way to control factions.

Federalist 51

Essay by Madison promoting separation of powers and checks and balances.

Federalists and Antifederalists

Federalists supported the Constitution; Antifederalists opposed it, fearing strong central power.

Freedom of religion clauses

Establishment Clause and Free Exercise Clause in the 1st Amendment.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

States must honor the laws and court decisions of other states.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage.

Iron triangles

Stable relationships between bureaucrats, interest groups, and congressional committees.

Judicial activism

Philosophy where judges interpret the Constitution to reflect current conditions.

Judicial restraint

Philosophy where judges defer to elected branches unless clearly unconstitutional.

Keynesian economics

Economic theory that government should increase spending during recessions to boost demand.

Models of representative democracy

Include participatory, pluralist, and elite models.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to make laws needed to carry out its powers (Elastic Clause).

Original intent

Interpreting the Constitution based on the framers' intentions.

Political socialization

Process by which individuals acquire political beliefs and values.

Pork barrel spending

Government spending for localized projects to bring money to a representatives district.

Presidential Powers

Include veto, executive orders, appointments, commander-in-chief, etc.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prevents states from discriminating against out-of-state citizens.

Public opinion polls

Surveys that measure the publics views on issues and candidates.

Separation of powers

Divides government into legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Shays Rebellion

Armed uprising showing the weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation.

Stare decisis

Legal principle of following precedent.

State government powers

Include education, public safety, and infrastructure.

Supremacy Clause

Federal law takes precedence over state laws.

Third parties in the political process

Minor parties that influence policy and elections, though rarely win major offices.

Three-Fifths Compromise

Agreement counting slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation/taxes.

US Constitution Article 1

Outlines powers and structure of the legislative branch.

US Constitution Article 2

Outlines powers and duties of the executive branch.

US Constitution Article 3

Establishes the judicial branch.

Amendment 1

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

Amendment 2

Right to keep and bear arms.

Amendment 3

Prohibits quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent.

Amendment 4

Protects against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Amendment 5

Protects against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and guarantees due process.

Amendment 6

Right to a speedy and public trial, an impartial jury, and legal counsel.

Amendment 7

Right to a jury trial in civil cases.

Amendment 8

Prohibits excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment.

Amendment 9

Rights not listed in the Constitution are retained by the people.

Amendment 10

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved to the states or people.

Amendment 13

Abolishes slavery and involuntary servitude.

Amendment 14

Grants citizenship and equal protection under the law.

Amendment 15

Prohibits voting discrimination based on race or color.

Amendment 19

Grants women the right to vote.

Amendment 24

Prohibits poll taxes in federal elections.

Amendment 26

Lowers the voting age to 18.

Baker v. Carr (1961)

Established 'one person, one vote' principle in redistricting.

Engel v. Vitale (1962)

Ruled school-sponsored prayer unconstitutional.

Gideon v. Wainwright (1963)

Guaranteed right to legal counsel in criminal cases.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Established judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Established federal supremacy and implied powers.

McDonald v. Chicago (2010)

Incorporated the 2nd Amendment to the states.

Miranda v. Arizona (1966)

Established Miranda rights for those under arrest.

New York Times v. United States (1971)

Limited government power to censor the press (Pentagon Papers).

Roe v. Wade (1973)

Legalized abortion based on right to privacy.

Schenck v. United States (1919)

Speech can be restricted if it presents a 'clear and present danger.'

Shaw v. Reno (1993)

Racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional.

Tinker v. Des Moines Independent Community School District (1969)

Protected symbolic student speech.

United States v. Lopez (1995)

Limited Congresss power under the Commerce Clause.

Wisconsin v. Yoder (1972)

Protected religious freedom over compulsory school laws.