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59 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
- 3rd side (hint)
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Strict constructionists |
People who believe the text of the Constitution is important. |
Strict |
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Broad constructionists |
Those who take broad, creative interpretation of the constitution |
Broad |
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"Necessary and proper clause" |
Constitutional framers added this for future congress to meet future needs. |
Constitution |
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Amendment process |
More formal means of adapting the constitution to change |
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Two phases in amendment process |
Proposal and ratification |
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Proposal |
Formal introduction of an amendment (through two-thirds of Congress or special national convention called by two-thirds of states |
Before ratification |
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Ratification |
Formal aproval after proposal |
After proposal |
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Bill of Rights |
First 10 of 27 amendments |
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Limited government |
Government does not have absolute power, but only those given by people |
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Separation of powers |
To prevent any group from gaining too much control, also, literally separated in different buildings |
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Checks and balances |
Prevent one from having too much power, so they counteract eachother. |
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Veto |
The presidents overrule of a bill, right, or amendment. |
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Impeachment |
Ability to charge the president and federal judges with misconduct and fire them |
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Gridlock |
When one branch of government brings the political process to a halt. |
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Judicial review |
The power of the judicial branch to review the constitutionality of the laws passed by the legislative branch. |
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Marbury v. Madison |
Involved the Line Item Veto Act which allowed the president to veto specific parts of the bill rather than the whole thing. |
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Federalism |
Division of power between national and state levels of government. |
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Popular sovereignty |
The people are the ultimate source of the governments authority. |
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Preamble |
Introduces the Constitution by explaining its nature and purpose. |
http://www.yuriar.com/aprendemosacademy/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2013/08/preamble.jpg |
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Legislative branch |
Make laws |
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Bicameral |
A two-house legislative system |
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Census |
Counting of the population |
Taken every ten years |
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President pro tempore |
Serves as a leader of the Senate when the Vice President is absent. |
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Quorum |
The minimum number needed to transact business. |
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Sergeant-at-arms |
Responsible to bring in members who are absent and are needed to make up a quorum. |
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The Congressional Record |
Each house keeps a journal or record of what it does each day |
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Franking privilege |
The right to send official mail free of charge |
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"pocket veto" |
If the President does not sign a bill in Congress adjourns within 10 days it is vetoed automatically |
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Naturalism |
The process by which a foreign-born person gains citizenship |
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National Guard |
State militia actually under control of the army and airforce |
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Elastic clause |
Also has the power to do what it believes is necessary and proper to carry out any listed power |
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Writ of habeas corpus |
The right of people to have the power/ be the body |
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Bill of attainder |
Permits punishment without a trial |
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Ex post facto law |
Makes the law retroactive |
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Appropriation |
A certain amount of money set apart for a certain purpose |
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Executive branch |
Carry out/ enforce laws |
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Electoral college |
Composed of electors from each state, elect the President |
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Reprieves |
The temporary postponement of punishment |
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Pardons |
The complete forgiveness of a crime and its consequent punishment |
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Judicial branch |
"To interpret the laws" |
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Original jurisdiction |
Means that the case can start in this court and that it has first opportunity to hear and decide the case |
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Appellate jurisdiction |
The case must have already been brought to trial at least once before it is sent up from a lower court and the court hears the case on appeal |
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Extradition |
The process of returning the criminal |
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"Supremacy clause" |
Upholds the United States Constitution as the highest law of the nation |
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Slander |
Defaming a person verbally |
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Libel |
Defaming a person in writing |
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Grand jury |
Considers the prosecution's case against the accused |
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Due process |
A person cannot be imprisoned, have his property taken away, or be sentenced to death without a fair and proper trial |
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Subpoena |
A document requiring a person to appear in court as a witness |
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Bail |
Money held by the courts to ensure an accused person's appearance at court of trial, may be required, but it is not to be excessive. |
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Grandfather clause |
Allowed previous voters in their relatives to vote without facing a literacy test or other requirements. |
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White primaries |
Restricted party primaries in Canada selection to whites only. |
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Literacy test |
Required to pass in order to vote |
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Gerrymandering |
Drew district lines so that black districts' voters had less impact. |
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Prohibition |
Forbidding the manufacture, sale, or transportation of liquor. |
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Suffrage |
The right to vote |
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Franchise |
The right to vote |
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"Lame duck" |
An official who is still in office but has not been reelected |
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Poll taxes |
Require each voter to pay a tax in order to vote |
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