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15 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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Preamble
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the introductory statement to the Constitution;
it explains the reasons and intentions behind the Constitution; lists the major goals for which the American Govt. should strive; says our govt. should provide law, order, and stability |
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Supremacy Clause
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The Clause that means that all U.S. citizens, as well as state and local govts., grant ultimate authority to federal laws, treaties, and the Constitution
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Amendments
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formal changes to the basic documents.
27 Amendments in the Constitution |
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Limited Government
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the national government, created by the Constitution, can do only what the people allow it to do
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Rule of Law
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used in a limited govt., means that all citizens must obey those who run the govt. and follow the laws outlined in the Constitution
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Separation of Powers
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in which governmental powers are distributed among three branches: 1) Executive 2) Legislative 3) Judicial; no one branch can dominate the others b/c they don't have enough power
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Checks and Balances
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The process by which each Branch of the Federal Government can exercise certain powers over the actions of the other Branches; created by the framers b/c of the fear of a single branch dominating the other 2
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Judicial Review
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the power of the Supreme Court to decide whether a law or other governmental action violates the Constitution
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Federalism
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the form of government (or principles) on which the Constitution is based; some powers belong to the national/federal govt. while others belong to the states
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writ of mandamus
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an order issued by a court to force a government official to act
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Marbury v. Madison
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the case in which the power of Judicial Review was established as a power of the Supreme Court
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Bill of Rights
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the first 10 Amendments that provides constitutional guarantees, such as freedom of expression and belief
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2 Methods of Introducing an Amendment
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1. 2/3's vote in the Senate and the House of Reps.
2. 2/3's of state legislatures may request that Congress call a national amendment convention |
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2 Methods of Ratifying an Amendment
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1. 3/4's of the state legislatures vote in favor of ratification
2. states call special conventions to ratify the amendments and 3/4's must approve for it to be ratified |
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Repealed
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made void
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