Gov test 1 Flashcards
Revolutionary War
Revolutionary War or the American War of Independence, was initiated by delegates from thirteen American colonies of British America in Congress against Great Britain. The war was fought over the issue of American independence from the First British Empire.
Declaration of Independence
What is it?
The Declaration of Independence is one of the most important documents in the history of the United States. It was an official act taken by all 13 American colonies in declaring independence from British rule.
Natural Rights/John Locke
John Locke wrote the natural rights in which he said were rights that are God-given and can never be taken or even given away. “ life, liberty, and property.”
Federalism
The country is controlled by the national and state government
Separation of powers
Separating each part of the government (Legislative, Executive, & Judicial)
Checks and Balances
When each individual branch of the government has the power to control the actions of the other branches to keep ti fair.
Limited Government
The gov’t is limited in what they can do by the authorities
Judicial Review
When the supreme court makes sure those in power stay fair and follow the rules of the constitution
Popular Sovereignty
The people are the source of the government and state’s power and the gov’t can’t make changes without the people’s consent
South Dakota vs. Dole
The Court upheld the constitutionality of a federal state that withheld federal funds from states whose legal drinking age did not conform to federal policy.
Reserved powers
Political power by a constitution to the exclusive jurisdiction of a specified political authority.
Concurrent powers
Power shared by federal & state government
“The supreme law of the Land”
The constitution
Social contract
People give up some of their freedom/rights to the gov. In order to have the wit natural rights protected by the gov. Agreement between the gov. and people.
Consent
Give permission for something to happen
State of Nature
A place where there is no civilization or organized society. No gov.
Natural Rights
Rights you are born with
Legitimate
Conforming to the laws of rules
John Locke
Englishman which contributed heavily to the development of liberalism
Reserved powers
Political power by a constitution to the exclusive jurisdiction of a specified political authority.
Expressed powers/Implied/Inherent
Expressed Powers
Delegated powers of the National Government that are spelled out, expressly, in the Constitution
Implied Powers
Delegated powers of the National Government that are suggested by the expressed powers.
Inherent Powers
Powers delegated to the National Government because it’s the government of a sovereign state within the world community.
Separation of powers
Separating each part of the government (Legislative, Executive, & Judicial)
How the branches can “check” each other
They check on each other to keep each other
The articles of the Constitution
Article I – The Legislative Branch. ... Article II – The Executive Branch. ... Article III – The Judicial Branch. ... Article IV – The States. ... Article V – Amendment. ... Article VI – Debts, Supremacy, Oaths. ... Article VII – Ratification.
Courts/Judicial Branch
Interprets the law
President/Executive Branch
Enforces the laws
Congress/Legislative Branch
Makes the law
Constitutional Convention
55 delegates from 12 states, decided how America was going to be governed.
Shay’s Rebellion
Farmers in Massachusetts get angry over high taxes and farm closures. Daniel Shay leads a rebellion, to state courthouses. US congress didn’t have an army, got money from wealthy families, and defeat them.
Articles of Confederation
Formed a very weak first central gov., an agreement by the states to work together.
Shay’s Rebellion
Farmers in Massachusetts get angry over high taxes and farm closures. Daniel Shay leads a rebellion, to state courthouses. US congress didn’t have an army, got money from wealthy families, and defeat them.
Unitary Governemnt
All powers of the government are held by a single, unitary agency, central government make decisions for the entire nation.
Federal Government
Shared power between state and national government
Presidential Government
Executive and legislative branches are separate. Independent but equal in power.
Confederate Government
All powers of the government are held by the states, no real national government.
Dictatorship Government
Those in power have absolute and unchallengeable authority over the people. People have no say in the rules of their country.
Representative Democracy Government
Small group of people are chosen to represent a group of people
Direct Democracy Government
Everyone votes on every issue-no represenatives
