Government Structure Flashcards
When was federal government made and what differences were there between North and South?
In 1789 federal government was set up to make important decisions about war, civil rights, amendments to the constitution, and voting, while state governments dealt with healthcare and sanitation.
The North was industrious and progressive while the South valued traditional values and could easily find loopholes to override laws established.
What was the structure of state government?
There was a Governor in state government elected every 2-4 years, and a House of Representatives and legislative senate to decide on state issues such as policing, education, and health, alongside State Courts.
What was federal government responsible for?
The federal government was responsible for foreign policy, immigration controls, running post offices, minting money, organising armed forces, war and peace, governing Washington DC, and organising armed forces/admitting new states.
What was state government responsible for?
State government responsibilities included determining voter qualifications and establishing government through elections, regulating contract and trade, controlling education/police, and maintaining law
What were shared powers of the federal/state government, and what could the South do against decisions?
Shared powers included taxation and control of the state militia, National Guard.
In Southern States legislation could be altered, such as Roe v Wade regarding abortion.
What was the executive?
How was his power limited?
State government included an executive, (president), house of representatives, the Senate, and the judiciary.
EXECUTIVE:
Could propose and enforce laws, chief commander of armed forces, appoints Supreme Court justices and federal court judges.
JUDICIAL POWER OVER IT:
Chief Justice presided over impeachment and could determine executive’s actions as unconstitutional.
What was the legislative power and how was it limited?
LEGISLATIVE:
Approves presidential appointments and passes federal laws, approves treaties, and establishes lower court system.
EXECUTIVE POWER:
Can veto acts of Congress and carries out laws. Vice-president makes the tie-breaker vote in the Senate.
JUDICIARY POWER OVER LEGISLATIVE:
Can determine laws as unconstitutional and Chief Justice precides over president’s impeachment.
What was the judiciary and how was it limited?
JUDICIARY:
Reviews lower court decisions, determines if laws are constitutional, and resolves state dispute.
EXECUTIVE’S POWER:
Appoints federal judges and Supreme Court justices, can refuse to enforce decisions.
LEGISLATIVE’S POWER:
Rejects nominees for Supreme Court justices, propose constitutional amendments, change size of federal court and number of Supreme Court judges, and impeach federal judges.
What was recognised when constitution was made in 1789?
Authors of the constitution in 1789 recognised it may need to be altered. Amendments could only be made with a 2/3 majority in the House of Representatives and Senate, making it law. Only 27 amendments have been passed.
