Studied by 0 people
Looks like no one added any tags here yet for you.
According to the Declaration of Independence, power comes from:
The people
What was the purpose of the Declaration of Independence?
The colonists wanted to be free from England and explained why
When was the Declaration of Independence signed and approved?
July 4, 1776
Who wrote the Declaration of Independence?
Thomas Jefferson
Define popular sovereignty
A government can only get its power from the people
When was the Constitution signed and approved?
September 17, 1787
Who is the father of the Constitution?
James Madison
What issue did the Great Compromise solve?
How to choose members of Congress
What did the Great Compromise do?
It created a bicameral Congress with one house based on population and the other equal representation
What did the preamble of the Constitution say?
It stated the belief that the government gets its power from the people
What did articles i-iii of the Constitution do?
They established the principle of separation of powers and outlined the three branches of government
What was the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution
Define Federalism
A type of government that divides power evenly between the national and local governments
What is Separation of Powers?
A principle that divides the government into three separate but equal branches
What are reserved powers?
Powers that are given to the state because they are not delegated to the national government or denied to the states
What are concurrent powers?
Powers given to both the state and federal government
What are exclusive powers?
Powers only given to the federal government. Ex. Printing and coining money
What are delegated powers?
Powers given to Congress in article i of the Constitution
How often does Congress meet?
At least once a year
What are the powers of Congress?
The abilities to declare war, set federal tax rates, regulate immigration, and introduce new bills
What powers are denied to the states?
Recognition of other nations, prosecuting for crimes committed before the act was illegal, and unjust indefinite imprisonment
What are Ex Post Facto laws?
Laws stating that a crime cannot be prosecuted if it was committed before the act was outlawed
What is Habeas Corpus?
Protection against unjust indefinite imprisonment
How many Senators are there from each state?
2
How many total Senators are there?
100
What is the age requirement to be a US Senator?
30 years old
How many years must you be a US citizen before becoming a Senator?
9 years
What is the term length for US Senators?
6 years
What is the term limit for US Senators?
2 terms/12 years
Who presides over the US Senate?
The Vice President
Who presides over the US Senate is the Vice President is unavailable?
The President Pro Tempore
How many members of the US House of Representatives are there from each state?
It is dependent on population
How many total members of the US House of Representatives are there?
435
What is the age requirement to be a member of the US House of Representatives?
25 years old
How long must you be a US citizen before becoming a US House of Representatives member?
7 years
What is the term length for members of the US House of Representatives?
2 years
What is the term limit for members of the US House of Representatives?
None. They serve indefinitely
Who is the presiding officer of the US House of Representatives?
The Speaker of the House
Who actually elects a president?
The Electoral College
How do elections actually work?
The winner of each state's popular vote gets all of the electoral college votes for that state. Winner takes all system
What is the largest presidential myth?
That the President can declare war
Who does the Cabinet consist of?
All of the heads of Executive departments
What does the Cabinet do?
They advise the president
Who appoints the Cabinet?
The President
Who approves appointments to the Cabinet?
The Senate
What is the age requirement to be President of the US?
35 years old
How long must someone have lived in the US to become a president?
14 years
How long must someone be a US citizen before becoming president?
They must be a natural born citizen of the US
What are the most important powers of the President?
Commander in Chief, recognition of other nations, the power to veto
What is the main duty of the Vice President?
To take the place of the President if necessary
Who appoints federal judges?
The President
Who approves the appointment of federal judges?
The Senate
How long is the term for a federal judge?
Life as long as they are on "good behavior"
What is the main power of the federal judicial branch?
Judicial review
What is judicial review?
The court's power to review legislative and executive actions
What case established judicial review?
Marbury v. Madison
What was the historic ruling in Brown v. Board of Education?
It overruled laws stating that segregation was legal
What are the three types of courts?
District courts, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court
What is the only crime defined in the Constitution?
Treason
What is treason?
Making war against the US or aiding the enemy
What is needed to convict someone of treason?
2 witness' testimonies and/or an open confession in court
What are the punishments for treason?
A fine of at least $10,000, a prison sentence of at least 5 years, and/or death
First amendment
Freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of press
Amendment 4
Protects from unreasonable searches and siezures
Amendments 5/6
Miranda Rights, Due process
Amendment 10
Reserved powers
Amendment 13
Outlawed slavery and involuntary servitude
Amendment 14
All people born in the US are citizens
Amendment 16
Congress has the power of taxation
Amendment 18
Prohibition
Amendment 21
Repealed prohibition
Amendment 22
Presidential term limit (2 terms)
Note 
Flashcard (22)