Chapter 3 The CONSTITUTION REVIEW

Flashcards covering key concepts, terminology, and definitions relating to the US Constitution.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government can become too powerful.

Separation of Powers

The division of government into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.

Representative Term Length

2 years.

Senator Term Length

6 years.

Supreme Court Justice Term

Appointed for life.

Presidential Term Length

4 years.

House of Representatives Members

There are 435 Representatives.

Senators per State

Each state has 2 Senators.

4th Amendment

Protects against illegal searches and seizures.

Number of Senators

There are 100 Senators in the US Senate.

Supremacy Clause Location

Found under Article 6 of the Constitution.

House of Representatives Roles

Introduce laws, establish and regulate taxes, impeach officials, choose President in a tie.

1st Amendment Protections

Protects rights to religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition.

Legislative Branch Councils

House of Representatives and Senate.

House Requirements

Must be 25 years old, 7 years a citizen.

Senate Requirements

Must be 30 years old, 9 years a citizen.

2nd Amendment

Protects the right to bear arms.

Presidential Qualifications

Must be 35 years old, a natural born citizen, and have lived in the states for 14 years.

Senate Specific Roles

Approve Presidential nominations, approve treaties, try impeachment cases.

Article 4 of the Constitution

Addresses state cooperation, such as extradition of criminals.

Amendment Process Article

Established under Article 5.

Article I of the Constitution

Established the Legislative Branch.

Article II of the Constitution

Established the Executive Branch.

8th Amendment

Protects against cruel and unusual punishment.

Article III of the Constitution

Established the Judicial Branch.

Judicial Review

The court's ability to determine the constitutionality of laws.

States Rights

Powers specifically reserved for the states.

Concurrent Powers

Powers shared by both federal and state governments.

Enumerated Powers

Powers specifically given to the federal government.

Executive Branch Role

To enforce the laws.

Judicial Branch Role

To interpret the laws.

Legislative Branch Role

To make the laws.

Unicameral Legislature

A one house legislature.

Bicameral Legislature

A two house legislature.

Federal Grants Types

Categorical grants, block grants, project grants.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to respect other states' judicial rulings.

Federalism

Power divided between a central government and regional governments.

23rd Amendment

Provides the District of Columbia with 3 electoral votes.

26th Amendment

Makes it legal for 18 year olds to vote.

17th Amendment

Allows for direct voting for Senators.

13th Amendment

Made slavery illegal in the US.

27th Amendment

Prevents representatives from voting for tax increases during their current term.

22nd Amendment

Limits the total years a President can serve to 10 years.

18th Amendment

Prohibited alcohol production, transportation, and consumption in the US (repealed by the 21st Amendment).

16th Amendment

Allowed for the creation of a federal income tax.

12th Amendment

Reformed the electoral process to separate ballots for President and Vice President.

19th Amendment

Gave women the right to vote.

11th Amendment

Made it impossible for citizens to sue the Federal Government.

24th Amendment

Eliminated poll taxes.

25th Amendment

Establishes presidential succession in case of incapacity.

21st Amendment

Repeals prohibition (18th Amendment), making alcohol legal again.

14th Amendment

Extended the rights of amendments to the states.

20th Amendment

Establishes January 20th as the Presidential inauguration date.

Extradition Definition

The transportation of criminals back to the location of their crime.