Political System Flashcards
When was the Constitution created
1787
When was the constitution ratified
1788
Article 1 of the constitution
Legislative
Article 2 of the constitution
Executive
Article 3 of the constitution
Judicial
how many times has the constitution been amended
27 times
how can the constitution be amended
you must have 2/3rds majority in congress
the amendment must be approved by 3/4s of all states
what is federalism
System of power sharing between the Federal and State Governments
congress make up
Made up of 535 members and the House/Senate
-100 senators, 2 from every state
-435 Reps, depends on population of each state (always changing)
-Elections every two years- but only a 1/3rd of the
senate is elected each time.
Congress (powers)
-To make and amend legislation
-To confirm appointments
-To pass the national budget
-To declare war
Congress checks and balances on the president
Power of impeachment
o Can reject Presidential appointments o Power of the Purse
o Can overturn Presidential vetoes.
o Can reject treaties agreed to by the
President
congress checks and balances on the supreme court
o Can reject appointments to the judiciary
o Can initiate amendments to the
constitution
o Can impeach judges
president make up
-President and Vice President
-Cabinet appointed by the President to lead various
Depts. (Health, Defense etc.)
-The Executive Office of the President and Federal
Organizations
president (powers)
-Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces
-Chief Diplomat
-Appoints Federal employees/Cabinet
members/Judges
-Can veto bills
-Executive orders
president checks and balances on congress
o Recess appointments
o Can veto laws
o Can command military without them
president checks and balances on the supreme court
o Can appoint judges
o Can pardon criminals
supreme court make up
-Made up of 9 judges so there is always a majority.
-Judges serve until they die or retire.
supreme court (powers)
-Power of judicial review declaring laws constitutional or unconstitutional
-Rule on cases between states.
-Is highest court in land, so may deal with cases
referred to them.
supreme court checks and balances on congress
o Power of judicial review.
o Compensation cannot be diminished clause (salary can’t be changed)
supreme court checks and balances on the president
o Preside over impeachment.
o Power of judicial review.
The new Deal
o Expanded the power of the Federal
Government in regulating domestic
affairs- especially the economy.
o Created new Federal Departments,
appointing close advisors without
confirmation.
o EXAMPLE: WPA in 1938 employed over 3
million Americans using Federal money
