Beginning of Year Review Flashcards
What was the purpose of the Constitution?
Establish legitimacy, create appropriate structures (branches of government), describe and distribute power (no king or queen), Limit government power (voices must be heard), ALLOW FOR CHANGE.
What two groups makeup congress?
The House of Representatives and the Senate.
How many senators per state?
2 senators per state. Total of 100 senators.
What determines representation in the House of Representatives?
The population of each state.
What are the total numbers of representatives in the House?
435 (fixed in 1929)
What does the legislative branch do?
It is the branch of government that makes laws and It approves the budget.
How can the legislative branch overturn a presidential veto?
With a 2/3 majority vote.
What does the executive branch do?
Ensures and enforces laws, negotiates treaties (war, peace, taxes), and signs bills.
What is the executive branch made of?
The president, the vice president, and cabinet.
What power does the executive branch have?
Has veto power (can say no to legislation)
What does the judicial branch do?
Interprets the laws.
How many justices are on the supreme court?
9 justices (dude please remember this)
What does the judicial branch have the power to do?
It can declare something unconstitutional and it doesn’t have to be a unanimous vote
What kind of a court is the supreme court?
An Appellate Court
What does it mean to be an Appellate Court?
Someone can’t sue something directly to the supreme court. It has to go through all the courts. (The supreme court also chooses what it wants to listen)
What economic system do we subscribe to in the U.S.
Capitalism
What is a capitalist?
Someone who invents for the purpose of making a profit.
What is capitalism?
Anything that has value; money, ideas, training, and education.
What is the electoral college?
Body of people who vote for the president and vice president.
How many members make up the electoral college and how is it determined?
538 members based upon census.
How many votes does the president need to win the presidency?
The president needs 270 votes
How many electors does Pennsylvania have?
20
Which state has the most electors?
California with 55
What is the minimum amount of electors in each state?
3
What was the 3/5 compromise?
The compromise would count 3/5 of their slave population as a free population.
Why did the south want slaves to be counted in representation?
This would give them more representation in congress.
Why was the Bill of Rights important?
It was part of an agreement that would get the Constitution passed.
What is the big thing that the Bill of Rights grants?
Powers of the State and of the people.
