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39 Cards in this Set

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  • Back
1. Articles of Confederation
America's first Constitution, 1781--1787
2. Founding Fathers
men who wrote and supported the ratification of the US Constitution
3. US Constitution
written framework of limited govt for the United States; ratified in 1788
4. Representative / Republican govt
Form of democratic govt in which people elect representatives to create, enforce, and interpret public policy; the US's form of democracy
5. Compromise
process in which all sides in a dispute or situation give up certain key points/policies in order to reach agreements acceptable to all
6. Preamble
introduction of US Constitution; states six goals of US democracy; US statement of Social Contract Theory of Govt
7. Social Contract
John Locke's theory that govt is a social contract between the people and the govt; govt should protect people and work for them; any govt that does not fulfill the terms of the contract may be abolished by the people who create and control it
8. Separation of Powers
method of controlling govt by separating the powers of govt among different groups of people (branches)
9. Legislative Branch
lawmaking branch of govt; headed by US Congress
10. Executive Branch
law enforcement branch of govt; headed by US President
11. Judicial Branch
law interpretation branch of govt; headed by US Supreme Court
12. Legislate
to make laws
13. Execute
to enforce or enact laws
14. Interpret / judge
to judge, to decide the fairness of laws and law enforcement
15. Checks and balances
system by which each branch can interfere with the powers given to the other branches
16. Division of Power / Federalism
system of govt in which a higher law (Constitution) gives some govt power to the national govt and other govt power to the State govts; national govt cannot give or take power from states
17. House of Representatives
Lower House of Congress
18. Senate
Upper House of Congress
19. Impeach
to charge a govt official with a crime; this power belongs ONLY to the HOR
20. Confirm
to approve (or refuse to approve) a President's nominee; this power belongs ONLY to the Senate
21. Ratify
to approve (or refuse to approve) a President's treaty with another country; this power belongs ONLY to the Senate
22. Veto
(v) to refuse to sign a bill into law; (n) President's refusal to sign a bill into law
23. Override the veto
Congress's ability to enact a law without Presidential signature/approval by passing a vetoed bill with a 2/3 majority of both houses
24. Presidential qualifications / term of office
1. 35 years old;2. natural born US citizen;3. US resident for 14 years;4. 4 year term
25. Nominate / appoint
Presidential power to choose/name certain advisors or high govt officials like Cabinet members, federal judges, or other department heads; Senate can confirm or refuse to confirm
26. Cabinet
President's top advisors; department heads
27. Pardon
President's nearly absolute power to excuse someone from punishment; President may NOT pardon someone who has been impeached and convicted by Congress
28. Presidential succession
list of people who can become President if s/he leaves office unexpectedly; Vice-President, Speaker of the House, President pro tem of the Senate
29. Oath of office
President's promise to uphold the Constitution
30. Supreme Court qualifications / term of office
no qualifications, but must be nominated by Prez and confirmed by Senate; life
31. Judicial review
Supreme Court's power to determine if public policy, laws and law enforcement are Constitutional
32. Treason
fighting against the United States govt or helping others to do so as witnessed by at least two people
33. Amendment
any change to the Constitution
34. Bill of Rights
first 10 amendments to the Constitution; list of individual Americans rights and protections against govt
35. First Amendment protections (5)
religion, speech, press, assembly, petition
36. Miranda warning
law enforcement's announcement to person under arrest that they have certain fifth and sixth amendment rights including protections from self-incrimination and the right to counsel
37. Due process
fair laws and fair enforcement; 4th and 14th Amendments ensure that National govt (4th) and States (14th) follow due process when they make, enforce, and interpret laws
38. Repeal
(n) cancellation of a law or Constitutional amendment; (v) to cancel; 18thAmendment was repealed by 21stAmendment
39. Franchise
the right to vote; groups of Americans have gained the right to vote with passage of different Constitutional amendments-- Black men: 15thAmendment; Women: 19thAmendment; 18 year olds: 26thAmendment