Complete List of Terms and Definitions for Constitution Things to Know

Terms Definitions
Sovereign ruler
concurrent shared powers
veto to reject
article 2 executive branch
insurrection revolt against authority
Article III Judicial Branch
tax bills house passes
amendment 21 repeal of prohibition
executive branch 14 years residency
1.9.8 Tiles of nobility prohibited
power of Congress declare war*
Age Requirement for Justice None
10 powers reserved to the states
Government gets its power from? People
The building where Congress meets? Capitol
delegates the nation's postcolonial economic elite
Amendment 5 Rights of the Accused
bicameral legislature a two house legislature
republicanism citizens vote for their representatives in governments
Amendment 1 Freedom of Religion, Expression, Petition, Assembly
Terms for President/Senate/House President-4 years-2 terms
Senate-6 years-unlimited
House-2 years-unlimited
House of representatives power to impeach president
D.C (district of columbia) Capital of U.S
Federalism A governing arrangement that provides multiple levels of government with independent ruling authority over certain policy areas and guarantees the survival of these different levels of government
State any political community that occupies a definite territory and has an organized government with powers to make and enforce laws without approval from any higher authority
Main Function of Congress To make Laws
U.S. Constitution Highest law in the USA
Locke Second Treatise, all people possess certain natural rights and it is the government's job to protect those rights. Natural law can challenge the rule of the king. (Jefferson)
26th Amendment set voting age at 18
Amendment 6 Right to public/speedy trial, habeas corpus, council, confront witnesses
How many total Electoral votes are there in the Electoral College? 538
legislative branch (Congress) which is responsible for proposing and passing laws
Formal Amendment Includes two stages involving the constitution: proposal and ratification, can be proposed by Congress or state legislatures. Only once have we used state legislatures proposal, 21st amendment.
Implied powers Powers inferred from the express powers that allow Congress to carry out its functions
Vice President regular presiding officer in the Senate
Amendment 22 PResidential Term Limits. Limits the president to 2 terms or a maximum of ten years
enumerated powers Powers specifically granted in the Constitution
Virginia Plan Virginia's plan that wanted each state's representation in congress determined by the state's population
Who is the Governor of Massachusetts? Deval Patrick
constitution a set of basic principles that determines the powers and duties of a government.
Electoral College group of representatives from each state who vote and determine who will be President
offense of action to overthrow one's government or to harm or kill its soverign treason
federalist people who liked the constitution how it was when it was first written and favored a strong federal government.
democracy a government where the people directly participate in the government
Article I deals with congress, outlining its organization, terms, qualifications, powers, restrictions and methods of selection.
Judicial branch The branch of government that interprets the laws to see if they are constitutional
Elastic Clause the "necessary and proper" clause that gives the Constitution the power to make any laws that are "necessary and proper"
bail the amount of money or property held by court to ensure that a person will show up for his/her trial
Independence Hall A modest brick building where soldiers kept onlookers far away. Congress held meetings there.
3/5 vote required by the General Assembly to pass a Govournor's veto
Checks and balances Branches (powers) check each other. President can elect 2 judges for the supreme court after some retire or die.
Slavery in the original Constitution did not completely outlaw
a vote of how many majority is necessary to override the veto of a bill 2/3
Roger Sherman Was mediator for the conflict between the Virginia plan and the Jersey plan, made great compromise of Connecticut
Nullification The doctrine that a state can declare null and void, a federal law that, in the state's opinion, violates the Constitution.
535 how many members are there in the Legislative Branch?
8th Amendment No cruel and unusual punishments (not part of notes)
During Peacetime: persons accused of selling secrets or engaging in other acts of espionage are prosecuted under federal espionage statues
many states held off until the bill of rights
Which house has the power to ratify treaties? Senate
weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to this... draft a new constitution
7th amendment  Right to a speedy trial
 Right to an impartial jury
 The accused can confront
witnesses against him
 The accused must be allowed
to have a lawyer
rural relating to farm areas and life in the country
Bill of Rights The first 10 amendments to the Constitution.
Federalism means a division of power b/w a national gov. and several state/regional government
what is the head executive of a city government called? mayor
What did Shay's Rebellion show about the National Government? Weak National Government.
Equal Rights Amendment (ERA) A constitutional amendment passed by Congress in 1972 stating that Equality of rights under the laws shall not be denied or abridged by the U.S. or by any state on account of sex. The amendment failed to acquire the necessary suppport from the state legislatures.
3 Parts of the Constitution Preamble, 7 Articles, 27 Ammendments
Freedom vs. Order What is THE essential conflict in government?
Constitutional Government A system of government in which the functions of government are defined by a constitution. It effectively restrains the powers of the government and guarantees certain rights to the people.
house of reps the branch with original juris. with cases involving impeachment
What are the requirements to be a Supreme Court Justice? No Requirements
A2,S3 The president will give a state of the union address.
NEW YORK's bankruptcy law: absolved insolvent debtors of further obligation once they surrendered their property to their creditors
what does the state department oversee? our relations with other countries
Whiskey Rebellion 1791 congress put a tax on all whisky made and sold in U.S. The revolt tested strength of government. Farmers grew corn to make whisky, refused to pay tax on it. 1794 Western PA farmers rebelled on a tax collector by burning down his home. A large angry mob marched through Pittsburgh so Washington sent 13,000 troops stop rebellion, people ran away when heard the news.
Small State Plan Plan proposed by New Jersey for equal representation regardless of size or population. Unicameral.
Shay's Rebellion An event where a man named Daniel Shay and hundreds of other men tried to stop courts from taking people's property
Bill of Attainder A law that punishes a person accused of a crime without a trial
President term 4 years maximum # of years = 10 years
Power of Congress can raise and support: an army and navy
Step 2 of Impeachment process: H.O.Reps holds hearing, listens to testimonies from witnesses, if members vote for impeachment it moves to Senate
how many amendments make up the bill of rights the first 10
all bills that do w/ money first be introduced to the_____________ house of reps.
How long can supreme court justices serve for life, until death or retierment
Limited Power of Government power of government is limited by U.S. Constitution
Role of the Attorney General- legal officer of the state, and enforce laws.
Full Faith and Credit Clause obligates states: to recognize Hawaiian same-sex marriages
What does it take for Congress to override a veto? 2/3 veto in both houses
For what can the president be removed from office? Treason, Bribery, other high crimes/misdemeanors
435, 19 in Illinois How many Reps are there? How many in Illinois
The framers of the Constitution were very specific about the powers they gave to Congress, but somewhat vague about those of the president because.. They feared Congress' ability to legislate and take away their freedom and land, but wanted to grant the president some flexibility for emergencies.
Article Three is about which branch of government? the Courts -- Judicial Branch
at least 1 per state 435 total how many representatives are there in office
What two factors determine the jurisdiction of federal courts? the subject matter of the case, and the parties involved in it
Article IV, Section 4(1) also states that the federal government will protect each state from: envision and will, when directed by Congress or by president when Congress is not in session, defend each state against internal revolts
Amendment 26: Section 1: Eighteen year old voting rights The right of citizens of the United States, who are eighteen years of age or older, to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of age.
What are the requirements to be President? 35 years old- citizen for 14 years- born in USA
Art. 4 Sect. 1: Full Faith and Credit Full Faith and Credit shall be given in each State to the public Acts, Records, and judicial Proceedings of every other State. And the Congress may by general Laws prescribe the Manner in which such Acts, Records and Proceedings shall be proved, and the Effect thereof.
How are electoral college numbers calculated? # of Senators + # of Reps = # of electoral votes per state
a bill can become a law in what two ways they can sign it or it becomes a law after 10 days without signature