US Constitution Flashcards
How did Representative Democracy promote popular sovereignty
Officials must take people’s wishes into account in order to be re-elected
All citizens participate in deciding who is in Congress/President
How does Representative Democracy protect the natural right of US citizens
ensures that people can remove officials that abuse their power or attempt to undermine their rights through elections
How do state’s rights help promote popular sovereignty
Citizens can vote for state governments -> state laws reflect the wishes of their citizens
How do states’ right help protect individual rights?
The federal government cannot interfere with or ban local customs
What is the US Constitution
oldest written constitution still in use and first to outline liberal-democratic values
Based on 2 ideas:
- Government should serve the people and people should have input into government (popular sovereignty)
- All humans are born with “natural rights”, including the right to protect your life, liberty and property
What is representative democracy and how is it structured
United States Congress: two houses responsible for making laws + providing money for government programs
President: responsible for enforcing laws, appointing government officials and conducting foreign policy
Supreme Court: settles legal disputes among states + determines whether laws are constitutional
Senators: represents states
It holds regular elections held every two years which all citizens can participate in
What is a Federation
Constitution established a federation with a large degree of independence for states to protect state rights
Federal government had the power to conduct foreign affairs and regulate commerce/communications between states
All other powers retained by states ( raising taxes, conducting elections, labor laws )
Local councils ( counties/cities ) also had some independence from state government ( control their own police forces, school curriculums, courts and prisons )
Why were states rights introduced?
Each of the colonies had their own government and wanted to retain control over their own affairs
People in different states wanted laws that reflected and protected their unique cultures and traditions
Many framers of the Constitution wanted it to protect the rights of states by limiting the power of the federal government.
What is the Bill
Bill of Right’s first ten amendments were all ratified in December 1971
They were a series of constitutional amendments that addressed the fear of federal governments gaining too much power from the Constitution.
1st Amendment: freedom of religion, speech and press
2nd Amendment: “Right to bear arms” (own a gun)
5th amendment: Prohibits self incrimination, deprivation of “life, liberty, or property, without due process of law” and taking of private property without “just compensation”
6th amendment: Right to a speedy and public trial by an impartial jury and access to legal counsel
