Chapter Three Flashcards
What was the first portion of the constitution?
The preamble- purpose of constitution
What was the first article?
Legislative Branch
What was the second article?
Executive Branch
What was the third article?
Judicial Branch
What was the fourth article?
Relations among states
What was the fifth article?
Amending the constitution- do not deprive states of representation
What was the sixth article? (3)
National debts, Supremacy of national law, Oaths of office
What was the seventh article?
Ratifying the constitution
What is popular sovereignty?
Government can exist only with the consent of the governed. Ex: We the people
What is limited government?
Government is restricted in what they can do/each individual has rights that the government cannot take away. Ex: rule of law- government officials are never above the law
What is separation of powers?
The 3 branches of government are divided among 3 independent and coequal branches of government
What are checks and balances?
Systems of overlapping the powers of the 3 branches to permit each branch to check the actions of the others
What does the legislative branch do and how are they checked?
Writes the laws, confirms presidential appointments, ratifies treaties, grants money, and declares war. They are checked by the executive branch because they can veto bills, reject appointments, rejects treaties, and adjourn congress in certain situations. They are checked by the judicial branch because they can declare laws unconstitutional.
What does the executive branch do and how are they checked?
Proposes laws, administers the laws, commands armed forces, appoints ambassadors and other officials, conducts foreign policy, and negotiates treaties. They are checked by the legislative branch because they can withhold funding for presidential initiatives and can override a veto. They are checked by the judicial branch because they can declare presidential actions unconstitutional.
What does the judicial branch do and how are they checked?
They interpret the constitution and other laws, and they review lower-court decisions. They are checked by the legislative branch because they can propose amendments to overrule judicial decisions, they can impeach Supreme Court justices, and they can reject appointments to the Supreme Court. They are checked by the executive branch because they can appoint judges.
What is judicial review?
The power of a court to determine the constitutionality of a governmental action. Ex: Brown v Board of Education
What is federalism?
Government is divided between a central government and several local governments.
What are the two ways an amendment is made?
Formal or informal
What are the two ways an amendment can be proposed?
National convention or 2/3 vote of congress
