American Government Constitutional Principles

A comprehensive set of flashcards covering key vocabulary terms related to American Government and Constitutional Principles.

Advice and Consent

A power of the United States Senate to approve treaties and presidential appointments.

Annapolis Convention

A meeting in 1786 aimed at regulating interstate trade, resulting in the call for a Constitutional Convention.

Antifederalists

Opponents of the ratification of the Constitution who preferred state power.

Barron v. Baltimore (1833)

Supreme Court case ruling that the Bill of Rights applies only to the federal government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution, added in 1791 to protect individual liberties.

Checks and Balances

A system ensuring that no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

Confederation Congress

The governing body of the thirteen colonies before the U.S. Congress was formed.

Constitutional Convention

The 1787 meeting in Philadelphia to create the U.S. Constitution.

Cruel and Unusual Punishments

Prohibited by the 8th Amendment, referring to harsh penalties.

Due Process Clause

Clause in the 5th and 14th Amendments that prohibits arbitrary deprivation of life, liberty, or property.

Elastic Clause

The clause that allows Congress to make necessary and proper laws beyond its enumerated powers.

Electoral College

The body that formally elects the President of the United States.

Enumerated Powers

Powers explicitly stated in the Constitution.

Extradition Clause

Requirement that states return individuals charged with crimes to the state where the crime occurred.

Federalists

Supporters of the Constitution who desired a strong central government.

Full Faith and Credit Clause

Requires states to recognize the judicial decisions of other states.

Great Compromise

Resolved representation issues by creating a bicameral legislature.

Impeachment

The process of accusing a government official of misconduct.

Implied Powers

Powers inferred from the Constitution that enable the government to carry out its functions.

Inherent Powers

Powers assumed to exist because of the country's existence.

Legislative Supremacy

Doctrine stating that legislative bodies hold the ultimate power over the judicial branch.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

Supreme Court case establishing the principle of judicial review.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Supreme Court decision affirming federal power to create a national bank.

Necessary and Proper Clause

Allows Congress to enact laws deemed necessary for carrying out its powers.

New Jersey Plan

Proposal for a unicameral legislature with equal state representation.

Nullification

The theory that states can invalidate federal laws deemed unconstitutional.

Preemption Legislation

The principle that federal law supersedes state law.

Privileges and Immunities Clause

Prevents states from discriminating against citizens of other states.

Republic

A government in which power resides with the people and their elected representatives.

Supremacy Clause

Establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law.

Tenth Amendment

Reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states.

Virginia Plan

Proposal for a strong national government and a bicameral legislature.

Affirmative Action

Policies intended to increase opportunities for historically marginalized groups.

Brown v. Board of Education

The 1954 Supreme Court ruling that segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

Civil Rights

Rights protecting individuals from discrimination.

Civil Liberties

Individual freedoms protected from government interference.

De jure segregation

Legally enforced separation of races.

Dred Scott v. Sanford (1857)

Supreme Court case ruling that African Americans were not U.S. citizens.

Equal Protection Clause

Part of the 14th Amendment ensuring equal treatment under the law.

Fugitive Slave Act

Law requiring the return of escaped slaves to their owners.

Gitlow v. New York (1923)

Supreme Court ruling that the First Amendment applies to state governments.

Jim Crow Laws

State laws enforcing racial segregation.

Lemon Test

Criteria for determining if a law violates the Establishment Clause.

Miranda Rule

Requirement to inform individuals of their rights upon arrest.

New York Times v. Sullivan

Established the standard for proving libel against public figures.

Plessy v. Ferguson

Supreme Court case that upheld the legality of racial segregation.

Roe v. Wade

Supreme Court case protecting the right to have an abortion.

Schenck v. United States

Established limits on free speech during wartime.

Voting Rights Act

Legislation aimed at eliminating barriers to voting for African Americans.

White Primary

Primary elections restricted to white voters only.

Administrative Procedures Act

Govern the process federal agencies use to create regulations.

Bureaucratic Culture

The shared values and norms of bureaucratic organizations.

Civil Service System

A method of hiring and promoting government employees based on merit.

Entitlement

Government programs that provide benefits to individuals based on eligibility.

Government Accountability Office (GAO)

Agency that evaluates government funding and operations.

Iron Triangle

The relationship between Congress, bureaucracy, and interest groups.

Political Action Committee (PAC)

A group that raises funds for political candidates.

Veto

The President's power to reject congressional legislation.

Confirmation Hearing

Senate procedure to evaluate presidential appointments.

Filibuster

A procedural tactic to delay or block legislative action in the Senate.

Gerrymandering

Manipulating electoral district boundaries for political advantage.

Interest Groups

Organizations seeking to influence government policy.

Media Bias

The perceived bias of journalists in news coverage.

Political Economy

The study of how economic theory and methods influence political behavior.