Government 3 Vocab
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33 terms
Terms | Definitions |
|---|---|
 Patriot Act | gave executive branch to undermine the bill of rights just to keep us safe.(conducts secret searches such as phone tapping) |
| Preamble | introductory statement to an official document that usually explains the document's goals and purposes |
| Supremacy Clause | article VI, establishes the constitution and federal laws as superior to all state and local legislation. |
| Amendments | written changes or additions to a law or body of laws |
| Bill of Rights | consists of the first 10 amendments to the United States Constitution. These amendments limit the powers of the federal government, protecting the rights of all citizens, residents and visitors on United States territory. Among the enumerated rights these amendments guarantee are: the freedoms of speech, press, and religion; the people's right to keep and bear arms; the freedom of assembly; the freedom to petition; and the rights to be free of unreasonable search and seizure; cruel and unusual punishment; and compelled self-incrimination |
| Veto Power | constitutional power that enables the chief executive to reject legislation and return it to the legislature with reasons for the objection. This prevents or delays the bill from becoming law |
| Tyranny | arbitrary or unrestrained exercise of power by an oppressive individuals or government. |
| Hate Crime | a crime motivated to harm someone because of their religion, race, sexual orientation, age, gender, gender identity etc... |
| Affirmative action | to policies intended to promote access to education or employment aimed at a historically socio-politically non-dominant group (typically, minorities or women). (women's suffrage) |
| federalism | a system in which some powers belong to the national/federal government while others belong to the states. divides the power of the govt between the federal govt and states. The Constitution does not say anything about the power local govts, like towns, are to have. Those powers are left up to states to give or take away |
| checks and balances | major principle of American government in which each of the 3 branches is given the means to check (restrain or balance) the actions of the others |
| unconstitutional | contrary to constitutional provisions and so invalid |
| judicial review | power of the courts to determine the constitutionality of the actions of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government. (1st established Marbury vs. Madison). This allows the courts to decide what the words of the Constitution mean. Also lets the courts say if something the govt does is unconstitutional*Shall/Ought |
| ratification | act of giving official sanction to a formal document such as a treaty or constitution. It includes the process of adopting an international treaty by the legislature, a constitution, or another nationally binding document (such as an amendment to a constitution) by the agreement of multiple sub-national entities. |
| writ of mandamus | written order issued by a court commanding n official of the government to perform a specified lawful duty or act. |
| annex | is the legal incorporation of some territory into another geo-political entity (either adjacent or non-contiguous). Territory given or sold through treaty. |
| repeal | to rescind or do away with legislation |
| elizabeth stanton | was an American social activist and leading figure of the early woman's movement. is often credited with initiating the first organized woman's rights and woman's suffrage movements in the United States. |
| era amendment | (Equal Rights Amendment) intended to guarantee equal rights under the law for Americans regardless of sex. |
| cabinet | an advisory group selected by the president to assist with decision making. A cabinet is traditionally composed of the heads of the executive departments and other officers whom the president may choose to appoint. |
| tenure | the period of time during which a public official holds office. |
| executive agreement | binding international agreements made between chiefs of state that do not require legislative sanction. when presidents make deals with leaders from other countries. The Constitution says that only Congress can make treaties which in a sense is what an executive agreement is. |
| popular sovereignty | means that all the government power belongs to the people- the people give the govt. the power it holds |
| limited government | form of government based on the principle that government should perform only the functions that the people have given it the power to perform. means the govt has only the powers the people give it; it has to obey the Constitution and the people in govt are not above the law |
| separation of powers | means that our three branches share the power of govt. and each branch has a specific job |
| 22nd amendment | sets a term limit for the President of the United States, providing that "No person shall be elected to the office of the President more than twice etc.. |
| 13th amendment | officially abolished, and continues to prohibit, slavery, and, with limited exceptions (those convicted of a crime), prohibits involuntary servitude |
| 19th amendment | provides that neither the individual states of the United States nor its federal government may deny a citizen the right to vote because of the citizen's sex. |
| full faith and credit cl | .- requires states to recognize on another's laws and court decisions. It ensures that rights established under deeds, wills, contracts, and other civil documents in one state will be honored by other states. |
| water boarding | is a torture technique that simulates drowning in a controlled environment. |
| enumerated powers | those powers directly granted to the federal government by the constitution as stated in article 1, sec 8. |
| CIA | Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) is a civilian intelligence agency of the United States government. Its primary function is obtaining and analyzing information about foreign governments, corporations, and persons in order to advise public policymakers |
| FBI | Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the primary investigative arm of the United States Department of Justice (DOJ), serving as both a federal criminal investigative body and a domestic intelligence agency. |
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