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39 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
1. Articles of Confederation
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America's first Constitution, 1781--1787
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2. Founding Fathers
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men who wrote and supported the ratification of the US Constitution
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3. US Constitution
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written framework of limited govt for the United States; ratified in 1788
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4. Representative / Republican govt
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Form of democratic govt in which people elect representatives to create, enforce, and interpret public policy; the US's form of democracy
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5. Compromise
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process in which all sides in a dispute or situation give up certain key points/policies in order to reach agreements acceptable to all
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6. Preamble
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introduction of US Constitution; states six goals of US democracy; US statement of Social Contract Theory of Govt
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7. Social Contract
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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
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8. Separation of Powers
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method of controlling govt by separating the powers of govt among different groups of people (branches)
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9. Legislative Branch
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lawmaking branch of govt; headed by US Congress
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10. Executive Branch
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law enforcement branch of govt; headed by US President
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11. Judicial Branch
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law interpretation branch of govt; headed by US Supreme Court
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12. Legislate
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to make laws
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13. Execute
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to enforce or enact laws
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14. Interpret / judge
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to judge, to decide the fairness of laws and law enforcement
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15. Checks and balances
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system by which each branch can interfere with the powers given to the other branches
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16. Division of Power / Federalism
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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
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17. House of Representatives
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Lower House of Congress
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18. Senate
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Upper House of Congress
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19. Impeach
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to charge a govt official with a crime; this power belongs ONLY to the HOR
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20. Confirm
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to approve (or refuse to approve) a President's nominee; this power belongs ONLY to the Senate
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21. Ratify
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to approve (or refuse to approve) a President's treaty with another country; this power belongs ONLY to the Senate
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22. Veto
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(v) to refuse to sign a bill into law; (n) President's refusal to sign a bill into law
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23. Override the veto
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Congress's ability to enact a law without Presidential signature/approval by passing a vetoed bill with a 2/3 majority of both houses
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24. Presidential qualifications / term of office
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1. 35 years old;2. natural born US citizen;3. US resident for 14 years;4. 4 year term
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25. Nominate / appoint
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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
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26. Cabinet
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President's top advisors; department heads
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27. Pardon
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President's nearly absolute power to excuse someone from punishment; President may NOT pardon someone who has been impeached and convicted by Congress
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28. Presidential succession
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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
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29. Oath of office
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President's promise to uphold the Constitution
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30. Supreme Court qualifications / term of office
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no qualifications, but must be nominated by Prez and confirmed by Senate; life
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31. Judicial review
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Supreme Court's power to determine if public policy, laws and law enforcement are Constitutional
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32. Treason
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fighting against the United States govt or helping others to do so as witnessed by at least two people
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33. Amendment
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any change to the Constitution
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34. Bill of Rights
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first 10 amendments to the Constitution; list of individual Americans rights and protections against govt
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35. First Amendment protections (5)
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religion, speech, press, assembly, petition
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36. Miranda warning
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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
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37. Due process
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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
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38. Repeal
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(n) cancellation of a law or Constitutional amendment; (v) to cancel; 18thAmendment was repealed by 21stAmendment
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39. Franchise
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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
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