Basic Principles Flashcards
Government gets its power from the people.
Popular Sovereignty
Government can only exercise powers given by the Constitution.
Limited Government
Power is shared between the national and state governments.
Federalism
Powers of the National Government
Delegated Powers
Powers of the State Governments
Reserved Powers
Powers shared by the State and National Governments
Concurrent Powers
Powers of government are separated out among 3 branches.
Separation of Powers
Makes Laws
Legislative Branch
Carries out Laws
Executive Branch
Applies Laws
Judicial Branch
Each branch can “check” the other branches.
Checks and Balances
Allows changes to be made to the Constitution.
Article V
How many amendments have been passed?
27
How many people have to approve an amendment in congress?
2/3 vote
How many states have to approve an amendment?
3/4 vote
Prevented the vote from being denied to persons because of their race, color, or having been a slave.
15th Amendment
Women are allowed to vote.
19th Amendment
Voting age is lowered to 18.
26th Amendment
The power to decide whether or not laws are constitutional.
Judicial Review
Gave the Supreme Court the right to check Congress and the President by deciding if laws are constitutional.
Marbury v. Madison
Gave the federal government more power.
Gibbons v. Ogden
Gave federal courts the power to register African American voters.
Civil Rights Act of 1957
Banned discrimination and segregation.
Civil Rights Act of 1964
Ended poll taxes and literacy tests.
Voting Rights Act of 1965
Protects the rights of individuals from harmful actions of the government.
1st Amendment
Practices that were not part of the original Constitution.
Informal Practices
The practice of Congress being able to remove officials from office, change policies, provide controls over the executive, and agencies that reviews rules.
Legislative Oversight
