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30 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
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US Constitution |
Supreme law of the land establishes the structure of the US govt Preamble, 7 articles, and amendments guarantees equality under the law |
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"Living Document" |
Refers to the US Constitution Flexible and adaptable Amendments, elastic clause, and interpretation (courts) |
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amendment |
Change in the Constitution Currently 27 |
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amending process of the US Constitution |
Complex- only 27 approved in over 200 years Proposed by 2/3 vote of Congress or state conventions Ratified by 3/4 vote of the states |
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due process of law |
Constitutional protection against unfair governmental actions and laws The government must follow certain steps if someone is accused of a crime |
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expressed powers |
powers of the federal government specifically mentioned in the US Constitution Also known as delegate or enumerated powers |
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implied powers |
powers not listed but exercised to carry out the powers of government to carry out the necessary and proper clause |
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reserved powers |
powers kept by the states (10 amendment) |
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concurrent powers |
powers shared between the federal and state government |
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federalism |
division of power between the states and the national government national government is supreme |
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national government's primary responsibilities |
conducts foreign policy regulates commerce |
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state government's primary responsibilities |
promotes public health, safety and welfare |
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Preamble |
introduction to the US Constitution that expresses the reasons the Constitution was written |
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Purposes of government in the preamble |
Form a more perfect union Establish justice Ensure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty |
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Bill of Rights |
first 10 Amendments to the US Constitution that protects citizen's basic rights |
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1st Amendment |
guarantees freedom of speech, press, assembly, religion and petition |
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5th Amendment |
guarantees citizens the right of due process of law Protects against double jeopardy, eminent domain, and self-incrimination |
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14th Amendment |
Defines citizenship Anyone born in the US is a citizen of the US and the state they live in Guarantees rights to all citizens (preventing states from denying former slaves rights) Extends due process protection to actions of the states |
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checks and balances |
gives each branch of government a way to limit the powers of the other branches |
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separation of powers |
Defines and divides the powers of the three branches of government Article I- legislative Article II- executive Article III- judicial |
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supremacy clause |
identifies the US Constitution as the authority over the states |
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legislative branch |
part of government responsible for writing the laws Congress (House of Representatives & Senate) |
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legislative powers |
Expressed: specifically listed in the Constitution of the US Implied: Not written, but used to carry out expressed powers |
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expressed or enumerated powers of federal legislative branch |
Makes the laws of the nation Approves the annual budget Confirms presidential appointments Raises revenue through taxes and other levies Declares war Regulates interstate and foreign trade |
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bicameral |
legislature consisting of two houses |
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US Senate |
"upper house" 2 members from each state (100 senators ttl) President Pro Tempore (when vice president is not present) is presiding officer |
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US House of Representatives |
"lower house" # determined by state's population (435 Representatives) Speaker of the House is presiding officer |
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lawmaking process |
Elected officials write laws and take action in response to problems or issues Introducing a bill by a Senator or Representative Work in Committees Debating the bill on the floor of each house Vote by both houses Signed into law by President |
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legislative checks judicial |
approves federal judges impeaches federal judges |
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legislative checks executive |
overrides vetoes impeaches president approves budget approves appointments (Senate) Approves treaties (Senate) |
