the constitution Flashcards
Declaration of Independence
states the principles on which our government, and our identity as Americans, are based
Articles of Confederation
the written document that established the functions of the national government of the United States after it declared independence from Great Britain.
Treason
the crime of betraying one’s country, especially by attempting to kill the sovereign or overthrow the government.
Checks and balances
principle of government under which separate branches are empowered to prevent actions by other branches and are induced to share power
Great Compromise
The Great Compromise determined that there would be two houses in the legislative branch, that there would be proportional representation in one house, and that there would be equal representation in the other house.
Separation of powers
an act of vesting the legislative, executive, and judicial powers of government in separate bodies.
Tariff
a tax or duty to be paid on a particular class of imports or exports.
Civil Discourse
Civil discourse is the practice of deliberating about matters of public concern in a way that seeks to expand knowledge and promote understanding.
repeal
revoke
3/5ths Compromise
It determined that three out of every five slaves were counted when determining a state’s total population for legislative representation and taxation
Constitution
a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
Preamble
a preliminary or preparatory statement; an introduction.
bill of rights
the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship.
Legislative Branch
made up of the House and Senate, known collectively as the Congress
congress
a national legislative body, especially that of the US. The US Congress, which meets at the Capitol in Washington, D.C., was established by the Constitution of 1787 and is composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Executive Branch
consists of the President, his or her advisors and various departments and agencies
Judicial Branch
decides the constitutionality of federal laws and resolves other disputes about federal laws
senate
the smaller upper assembly in the US Congress, most US states, France, and other countries.
Equal representation
all states are equal in the Senate regardless of their relative population, wealth, power, or size.
House of Representatives
As per the Constitution, the U.S. House of Representatives makes and passes federal laws.
Proportional representation
an electoral system in which parties gain seats in proportion to the number of votes cast for them.
president
the elected head of a republic.
supreme court
the highest federal court in the US, consisting of nine justices and taking judicial precedence over all other courts in the nation.
ratify
sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.
Fugitive Slave Clause
Under the Supreme Court’s interpretation of the Fugitive Slave Clause, the owner of an enslaved person had the same right to seize and repossess him in another state as the local laws of his own state granted to him
amendment
a minor change or addition designed to improve a text, piece of legislation, etc.
1st amendment
guarantees freedom of expression by prohibiting Congress from restricting the press or the rights of individuals to speak freely
2nd amendment
protects an individual right to possess a firearm unconnected with service in a militia, and to use that arm for traditionally lawful purposes, such as self-defense within the home.
4th amendment
protects people from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government
5th amendment
ensures the protection against self-incrimination
6th amendment
gives citizens a series of rights in criminal trials
13th amendment
“Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.”
14th amendment
extended liberties and rights granted by the Bill of Rights to formerly enslaved people
15th amendment
It grants the right to vote for all male citizens regardless of their ethnicity or prior slave status.
16th amendment
granted women the right to vote.
