Constitution test Flashcards
The thing the constitution is meant to protect. The idea of them comes from John Locke and they are things everyone is born with. They include life, property, and liberty
Natural Rights
A formal plan of government.
Constitution
A state run by the people. In which citizens elect representatives to make laws.
republic
The first president of the United States. Known as the father of our country he led the continental army in the revolutionary war. He was unanimously elected president and all the powers given to the president were designed for him. Was elected president in 1789
George Washington
The right to vote in an election. In colonial times it was reserved for white male land owners
suffrage
Was created during the revolution to establish a government. Had several major flaws because it did not create a strong federal government. It gave powers to the states. There was no executive or judicial branch and a one house congress. It was mostly ineffective, but passed the Northwest ordinance
Articles of Confederation
the adoption of a document making it official and valid. All thirteen states had to ratify an amendment to the AOC, but only three fourths of states are needed in the Constitution. The process to do this is out lined in the seventh amendment
Ratification
In 1787 the congress passed this ordinance. It is considered the greatest accomplishment of the Articles of Confederation. It detailed the process of becoming a state and made the large states give some of their land to make Indiana, Illinois, Michigan and Ohio. These states were admitted as free states.
North West Ordinance
The land from the Ohio River to the Great Lakes that was East of the Mississippi. Later it was made into Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio.
Northwest Territory
A writ requiring a fair trial for a person under arrest. The idea was first brought up in the Magna Carta and is included in the Constitution
Habeas Corpus
He wrote the preamble and was a young delegate from Pennsylvania. He fought in the revolutionary war and was a strong believer in National unity. He was an opponent to slavery
Gouverneur Morris
All trade between states. It was not regulated in the AOC, but is regulated by congress in the Constitution. As an enumerated power it has been used to pass a range of laws
Interstate Commerce
Establishes an independent National government
National sovereignty
In 1786-1787 Daniel Shay organizes a group of vetren farmers to revolt against the government. The AOC is too weak to put down the rebellion, so it leads to the constitutional convention. It took place in Massachusetts
Shays’s Rebellion
Located in PA it was the sight of the constitutional convention and our nations first capital.
Philadelphia
Took place in 1787 in Philadelphia. 55 delegates assembled to write the constitution
Constitutional Convention also known as the Philadelphia Convention
An agreement reached by taking points from both sides
compromise
All states get the same amount of votes regardless of population and size.
Equal representation
Also called the small states plan it called for equal representation.
The New Jersey Plan
Representation based off of population
Proportional Representation
The plan that called for proportional representation. Also called the large state plan.
The Virginia Plan
Introduced by Benjamin Franklin it created a house with equal representation and a house with proportional representation.
The Great Compromise
A proposed law
bill
The idea was first thought of in the Magna Carta. It created checks and balances and made it so government did not have absolute power
Limited Government
This compromise dealt with the issue of slavery for the purposes of taxes and representation
3/5 Compromise
Under article 4 it gave slave owners the ability to go after slaves in free states
The Fugitive Slave act
The delegates who wrote the Constitution
The Framers
The powers of Congress which allow them to make laws. There are 18 of these listed powers
Enumerated Powers of Congress
Allows Congress to make laws that do not directly related to the enumerated powers.
The Necessary and Proper Clause
Powers that congress has that are not directly written
Implied Powers
The 4rth President who is known as the Father of the Constitution.
James Madison
To remove someone from office because of a crime. The person must be charged in the house and tried in the Senate. If the President is being impeached the Chief Justice leads the proceedings.
Impeachment
The group of 538 delegates who actually elect the president
Electoral College
Powers shared by the state and federal government. They include the power to tax, build infrastructure, and establish courts.
Concurrent powers
As part of Article 6 it establishes that the Constitution is the supreme law of the land
Supremacy Clause
This is an unchecked power of the president where they are able to clear someone of all charges and future prosecution
Pardon
The only crime outlined in the Constitution. Requiring two witnesses to the same act or a confession to having acted against your government.
Treason
The belief in a strong central government.
Federalism
Comprised of the senate and the house it passes laws.
Legislative Branch
Its chief executive is the President and it is outlined in article 2. The president is responsible for diplomacy and approving laws as well as judge appointments.
Executive Branch
In article 3 of the constitution it establishes a national court system with district courts, appeal courts, and the Supreme Court.
Judicial Branch
Are the way we keep one group from getting too much power. A way this works is the president has to approve laws past by congress and the judicial can strike them down for violating the constitution.
Checks and Balances
We keep people by getting too much power by divvying it up
Separation of Power
The first part of the Constitution that outlines the purposes of the Constitution. It was written by Gouveneur Morris
Preamble
Every 10 years the government takes a survey of the population. The data gathered helps determine funding for infrastructure, representation, and taxation
The Census
The majority of the house of congress needed to pass legislation. In the senate it is 51 and in the house it is 238
A Quorum
The leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives. Is next in line after the Vice President for the presidency. Currently it is John Bohnner.
Speaker of the House
Acts as president of the senate in the Vice Presidents absence. Is the most senior member of the majority party in the senate. It is currently Daniel Inouye.
President Pro Tempore
The proportional house where members are elected every 2 years
House of Representatives
The building where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed
Independence Hall
