Chapter 4 Flashcards
Limited Government
The power of the monarch or ruler was limited, not absolute
Fugitive Slave Clause
required a slave who flees to another state to be returned to the owner from which that person escaped.
Amendment
An addition to a formal document such as the constitution
Framers
People who shape or create the constitution
Enumerated Powers
Powers belonging to only the federal government
Necessary and Proper Clause
Also known as the Elastic Clause, is a provision in Article One of the Constitution. (Read it)
Implied Powers
Powers not specifically mentioned in the Constitution
James Madison
A Virginia planter who became the chief architect of the Constitution; became a leader of the new national government; took notes of what happened at the convention; 4th US president
Impeach
To formally charge a public official with misconduct in office
Electoral College
A body of representatives that elect the presidents (look up more info)
Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by the states and the federal government
Supremacy Clause
Establishes that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the United States shall be the supreme law of the Land
Pardon
An excuse from punishment
Treason
Betraying one’s country country especially by trying to overthrow the government
Federalism
The sharing of power between federal and state governments
Legislative Branch
The branch that makes the nation’s laws
Executive Branch
The branch that is headed by the President, that carries out the nation’s laws and policies
Judicial Branch
The branch that includes the federal court system, that interprets the nation’s laws
Checks and Balances
The system in which each branch of government has a check on the other two branches so that no one branch becomes too powerful
Separation of Powers
Each of the three branches of government has its own responsibilities
Preamble
The introduction to the Constitution that reflects the basic principal of the new American government and the six goals of the United States
Quorum
Number of members needed to officially conduct business (more than half).
Census
A counting of the people to determine representation in the House
Speaker of the House
Chief officer of the House of Representatives; elected by the members; currently John Boehner
President pro tempore
Carries out the duties of the President in his/her absence; elected by members in the senate; currently Orrin Hatch
House of Representatives
Elected by the people who live within the district for the state; term is 2 years; must be 25 yrs. old, U.S. Citizen for 7 yrs., and live in the state from which their elected
Congressional immunity
Allows the members of Congress to openly speak their mind without fear of punishment
Veto
To reject a bill and prevent it from becoming a law
Pocket veto
An indirect veto of a legislative bill by the president or a governor by retaining the bill unsigned until it is too late for it to be dealt with during the legislative session
Override
To overturn or defeat, as a bill proposed in Congress
Senate
Each state has 2 senators, 6 year term, 1/3 senators elected each term, 30 yrs., U.S. citizen for 9 yrs., live in the state from which their elected
Inauguration
The beginning or introduction of a system, policy, or period
Commander-in-Chief
A head of state or officer in supreme command of country’s armed forces
Chief Justice
The presiding judge in a Supreme Court; currently John Roberts
Supreme Court
Hear cases involving the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and disputes between states; the highest court
State of the Union Address
A yearly address delivered in January by the President to Congress, giving the administration’s view of the state of the nation and plans for legislation
Naturalization
To grant full citizenship to a foreigner
Independence Hall
In Philadelphia where the D.O.I. was proclaimed and outside which the Liberty Bell is kept
The National Archives
An independent agency of the United States government charged with preserving and documenting government and historical records and with increasing public access to those documents
Presidential Oath
“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”
Washington, D.C.
Capital of the United States
