Constitution Flashcards
Form a more perfect union
Build better relationships between the states, and the states and national government
Establish justice
Provide/administer laws that are reasonable, fair, and impartial
Ensure domestic tranquility
Keep peace and maintain order within our country
Provide for the common defense
Defend the nation against outside threats and foreign enemies
Promote the general welfare
Allow all states to benefit militarily and economically from the protection of a strong national government
Secure the blessings of liberty
Protect liberties won in the American Revolution and preserve them going forward for future generations
Goals of the constitution
Form a more perfect union Establish justice Ensure domestic tranquility Provide for the common defense Promote the general welfare Secure the blessings of liberty
Popular sovereignty
The government gets its authority from the people and the ultimate political power remains with the people
Limited government
Restricting government power to protect individual rights
Separation of powers
Power id divided between the three branches which prevents the abuse of power by any one branch.
Checks and balances
Each branch has the power to “check” or restrain some of the powers of the two other branches.
Judicial Check
Can declare acts of congress and the executive branch unconstitutional.
Executive Check
Can veto acts of Congress, appoint federal judges
Legislative Check
Can impeach president/federal judges
Expressed powers
Powers listed in the Constitution and are granted to the national government (ex: Congress has the power to collect taxes)
Implied powers
Powers not specifically listed in the Constitution, but are logical extensions of expressed powers (ex: constitution does not state how to tax, so the government had the power to create the IRS)
Inherent powers
Powers that historically have been recognized as naturally belonging to all governments. (ex: power to acquire new territory and conduct foreign affairs)
Reserved powers
Not mentioned in the Constitution, but they belong to the states because they are not granted to the national government by the Constitution nor prohibited by the states. (ex: regulate marriage, conduct elections, control public school systems, issue licenses)
Concurrent powers
Powers held by both the national gov. and state gov. If the Constitution does not state that the power belongs ONLY to the national government, then it is shred with the states.(ex: levy taxes, establish courts, enforce laws, borrow/spend money)
Federalism
divides the powers between the national and state governments (this protects state rights).
Supremacy Clause
Federal laws are superior to state laws
Fiscal federalism
Uses a system of spending, taxing, and providing aid in the federal system. This helps influence state policies.
Grants in aids
Money and other resources that the national government provides to pay for state and local activities
1st amendment
Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition
