The Constitution Flashcards
Articles of Confederation
the first constitution of the 13 American states, adopted in 1781 and replaced in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States.
Declaration of Independence
the public act by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of England.
Treason
the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
Checks and balances
limits imposed on all branches of a government by vesting in each branch the right to amend or void those acts of another that fall within its purview.
Separation of powers
the principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government.
Great Compromise
The Connecticut Compromise (also known as the Great Compromise of 1787 or Sherman Compromise) was an agreement reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation each state would have under the United States Constitution
Tariff
an official list or table showing the duties or customs imposed by a government on imports or exports.
Repeal
the act of repealing; revocation; abrogation.
Civil Discourse
being respectful of the other person and his or her views. Each person in a civil discourse is entitled to his/her own opinions and is entitled to be treated with respect and dignity.
3/5th Compromise
determined that three out of every five slaves was counted when determining a state’s total population for legislative representation and taxation
Constitution
the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed.
Preamble
the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows.
Bill of Rights
the Bill of Rights, a formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States, such as freedom of religion, speech, and the press, incorporated in the Constitution as Amendments 1–10, and in all state constitutions.
Legislative Branch
the branch of government having the power to make laws; the legislature.
Executive Branch
the branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs; the executive.
Judicial Branch
the branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws and the administration of justice; the judiciary.
Congress
the national legislative body of the U.S., consisting of the Senate, or upper house, and the House of Representatives,
Senate
an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.
House of Representatives
the lower legislative branch in many national and state bicameral governing bodies, as in the United States, Mexico, and Japan. Abbreviations:H.R., HR
Equal representation
Apportionment (politics), the way that representatives are assigned to voting groups, with equal representation meaning that all groups are fairly represented. One man, one vote, the principle that each vote must have equal value.
Proportional representation
a method of voting by which political parties are given legislative representation in proportion to their popular vote.
Presidents
he highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the chief executive of the United States:
Supreme Court
the highest court of the U.S.
Fugitive Slave Court
It required citizens to assist in the recovery of fugitive slaves, and it denied a fugitive’s right to a jury trial. Under the Fugitive Slave Law, an accused runaway stood trial in front of a special commissioner instead of a judge or jury.
