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14 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Checks and Balances
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A principle of the American govermental system whereby each branch of gov. (Legislative, Executive, Judicial) has the power to limmit the actions of the others.
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Democracy
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A political system in which all citizens have a right to play a role in shaping gov. action and are afforded basic rights and liberties.
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Declaration of Independence
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1776 written by Jefferson: Rights of citizens and the proper role of gov. in a free society. All created equal, unalienable rights, life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Consent of the governed, Gov. is instituted among men.
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Articles of Confederation
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A week after signing the Declaration of Indpendence, the Continental Congress worked on drawing up a system of gov. for the self-declared inddependent Amer. States.
Draw states togther but at the same time allow each state to remain independent. Central gov. couldn't enforce polices, congress, postal, war, military, etc. No power to enforce policies. |
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Constitutional Convention
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A meeting in Philadelphia 1787 which delegates from the colonies drew up a new system of gov. The finished product was the Constitution of the United States.
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Virginia Plan
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James Madison; representatives in gov. based on population.
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New jersey Plan
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William Paterson; Equal representation. Each state would have the same # of national legislators.
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Great Compromise / Connecticut Compromise
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An agreement at the Constitutional Convention that the new gov. would have a House: members would be based on population and a Senate: each state would have the same # of representatives.
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Article I: Legislative Branch
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Congress: Make the laws
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Article II: Executive Branch
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President: Enforce the laws
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Article III: Judicial Branch
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The Supreme Court: Interpret the laws and resolve disputes according to the law.
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Federalism
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A system of Gov. in which powers and functions are divided among different layers of the system.
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Expressed Powers
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The Constitution clearly defines many of the powers of the national gov. which are referred to as the expressed powers.
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Bill of Rights
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First 10 amendments of the Constitution.
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