201-250 The Constution, the structure of American government Flashcards
Newburgh Conspiracy
The officers of the continental army had long gone without pay, and they met in Newburgh, NY to address Congress about their pay. Unfortunately, the American government had little money after the revolutionary war. They also considered staging a coup and seizing control of the new government, but the plotting ceased when George Washington refused to support the plan.
Articles of Confederation: powers, weaknesses, successes
The Articles of Confederation delegated most of the powers (the power to tax, to regulate trade, and to draft troops) to the individual states, but left the federal government power over war, foreign policy, and issuing money. The Articles’ weakness was that they gave the federal government so little power that it couldn’t keep the country united. The Articles’ only major success was that they settled western land claims with the Northwest Ordinance. The articles were abandoned for the constitution.
Constitution
The document which established the present federal government of the United States and outlined its powers. It can be changed through amendments.
Constitution: preamble
“We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility,provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America.”
Constitution: Legislature
One of the three branches of government, the legislature makes laws. There are two parts to the legislature: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Constitution: Logrolling
This refers to the practice of representatives or senators exchanging votes for each others’ pet bills.
Constitution: Riders
Separate, unrelated clauses added to a bill in the legislature, either in order to ensure that the bill passes or to ensure that it fails.
Constitution: Quorum
The minimum number of members of Congress who must be present in order to hold a session. In Congress, this number is more than half of the members.
Constitution: Seniority
Part of the committee system. A member of Congress in a committee moves up in rank in that committee as long as he is reelected.
Constitution: Committee system
After a bill is introduced in Congress, it is assigned to a small group of legislators for review and consideration, and the committee must vote to approve the bill before it is returned to the Senate or the House for a vote.
Constitution: Majority leader
The person elected, by the majority party of Congress, to be leader of the majority party in Congress.
Constitution: Majority whip
The person who tells members of the majority party in Congress how they should vote.
Constitution: Minority leader
The person elected, by the minority party of Congress, to be leader of the minority party in Congress.
Constitution: Minority whip
The person who tells members of the minority party in Congress how they should vote.
Constitution: Gerrymander
The practice of drawing the boundary lines of Congressional voting districts to give a particular political party an advantage when electing representatives. First used during Eldbridge Gerry’s second term as governor of Massachusetts, the term comes from a combination of Gerry’s name and a refernce that the shape of the distict boundary resembled a salamander.
Constitution: Bills become law
In order for a bill to become a law, it must be introduced to committee and be approved. Then it must be voted on by the House of Representatives, and then voted on by the Senate, or vice versa, depending on the branch in which the bill was first introduced. Finally, it must be signed by the President.
Constitution: House of Representatives
One of the two parts of Congress, considered the “lower house.” Representatives are elected directly by the people, with the number of representatives for each state determined by the state’s population.
Constitution: Senate
The other of the two parts of Congress, considered the “upper house.” Senators were originally appointed by state legislatures, but now they are elected directly by the people. Each state has two senators.
Constitution: Executive branch
One of the three branches of government, the executive enforces laws. It is headed by the president, who has the power to veto legislation passed by Congress.
Constitution: Judiciary branch
One of the three branches of government, the judiciary interprets laws. The highest authority in the judiciary is the Supreme Court, which determines the constitutionality of laws.