| Term | Definition |
|---|
| Article I | creates the legislative branch: Congress |
| Article II | creates the executive branch, the presidency, to carry out the laws. |
| Article III | establishes the Supreme Court to head the judicial branch. |
| Article IV | explains the relationship of the states to one another and to the national government |
| Article V | provides rules for amending, or changing, the Constitution |
| Article VI | contains the supremeacy clause |
| Article VII | states that 9 states are needed to ratify the Constitution |
| popular sovereignty | THe government is based upon the consent of the governed and derives its authority from the people. |
| federalism | The states share power with the national government. |
| separation of powers | Dividing responsibilities among the three branches prevents any one branch from acquiring too much power. |
| checks and balances | Each branch of government is permitted to exercise some control over the others. |
| judicial review | The courts have power to declare laws invalid if they violate the Constitution. |
| limited government | The Constitution restricts the actions of government by specifically describing its powers and listing powers the government does not have. |
| 1st amendment | freedom of speech, religion, press, and assembly. |
| 2nd amendment | right to bear arms |
| 3rd amendment | prohibits the quartering of troops |
| 4th amendment | prohibits unreasonable search and seizures |
| 5th amendment | right to due process; prohibits self-incrimination |
| 6th amendment | right to speedy trial by jury |
| 7th amendment | right to a jury in a civil case |
| 8th amendment | bans cruel and unusual punishment |
| 9th amendment | basic rights not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are "retained by the people." |
| 10th amendment | powers not given to the national government--or denied to the states--by the Constitution belong to the states or to the people. |
| judicial restraint | believe that the courts should uphold laws unless they clearly violate a specific provision of the Constitution -- a more narrow interpretation. |
| judicial activism | believe the courts should interpret the Constitution more broadly and in ways that bring about social change. |
| executive agreement | this pact between the president and another head of state does not need Senate approval unlike treaties. |
| Bill of Rights | the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution |
| Marbury v. Madison | the landmark case that gave the courts the power of judicial review |
| Examples of presidential powers | Commander-in-Chief, make treaties, appoint ambassadors, etc. |
| Examples of congressional powers | Power to tax, declare war, coin money, regulate interstate commerce, etc. |
| One method of proposing an amendment | 2/3 vote of each house of Congress |
| One method of ratifying an amendment | legislatures in 3/4 of states |
Combine with other sets
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