US Constitution Unit Test Flashcards
Amendment
Official changes to the constitution
Articles of Confederation
This document was the first constitution of the United States. Under it, Congress would become the single branch of the national government. It would have limited powers in order to protect the liberties of the people. It was ratified in March 1781.
Article I
Legislative Branch
Article II
Executive Branch
Article III
Judicial Branch
Bill of Rights
Amendments 1-10 designed to protect citizens individual liberties
Checks and balances
a system that keeps any branch of government from becoming too powerful; also allows each branch of government to limit the power of the others
Compromise
s an agreement where both sides get some of what it wants, but neither side gets everything it wants
3/5th compromise
count 3/5 of its African American slave population to determine representation in the legislature
Great Awakening
Religious movement that swept through the English colonies in the 1730s and 1740s
Great Compromise
The Great Compromise is made up of three parts. The first part calls for a bicameral (two chambers, or two houses) legislature. The second part creates a lower house where the number of representatives is based on state population. The last part creates an upper house where the number of representatives from each state is equal
Concurrent Powers
Powers held by both federal and state government.
Declaration of Independence
Document that formally announced the colonial break (separation) from Great Britain and written by Thomas Jefferson
Delegated Powers
Powers held by the federal government alone
Elastic Clause
This part of the Constitution allows Congress to stretch its delegated powers to deal with new and unexpected issues Also known as the “necessary and proper” clause
Enlightenment
Movement, that took place in the 1700s, which spread the idea that knowledge, reason, and logic could improve society
Executive Branch
Includes the President and the departments that help run the government. The executive branch is responsible for making sure the laws carried out
Federalism
System of government where the federal (national) government holds certain powers alone, the states hold certain powers alone, and both share certain powers
federalist papers
These essays supported the Constitution. They were written anonymously under the name Publius. They were actually written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay. ORRRR Group of essays that explained and defended the U.S. Constitution
Impeachment
Formal process of removing federal officials from office
Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court’s (Court) main task is judging the constitutionality of laws
Legislative Branch
Also known as Congress. The legislative branch is the part of Government responsible for proposing, writing, and passing laws
Magna Carta
Another way of saying this is that the laws applied to the King as well as to other people.
English Bill of Rights
his constitution was passed in 1689 and states that the King and Queen cannot pass new taxes or change laws without the approval of Parliament (the members of this part of the English government are elected and their main task is to write laws). This document limits the power of the monarch and increases the power of Parliament. (In 1689, This act reduced the powers of the english monarch)
