salutary neglect
beneficial ignorance; the relationship between the American colonies and Great Britain prior to the French and Indian War
French and Indian War
war between France and Great Britain that left Britain in debt; led to the end of salutary neglect
Thomas Jefferson
author of the Declaration of Independence
Thomas Paine
author of Common Sense
Stamp Tax
the first direct tax on the colonies from Parliament
Articles of Confederation
first government of the US
Shays' Reblellion
the event which led to the Constitution Convention
Framers
writers of the Constitution
Constitutional Convention
meeting held to set up a new government
Virginia Plan
plan to create a legislature based on the population of each state
New Jersey Plan
plan to create a legislature based on equal representation by the states
Great Compromise
created a bicameral legislature, where one house is represented by population and the other by representation of the state
3/5 Compromise
counted every 5 slaves as 3 people for representation and tax purposes
Federalist
supported the Ratification of the Constitution
Anti-Federalist
against the ratification of the Constitution
Bill of Rights
first 10 amendments added to the Constitution; compromise between Federalists and Anti-Federalists
James Madison
Father of the Constitution
legislate
to make laws
execute
to enforce or carry out
interpret
to offer an explanation; to clarify
Congress
formal meeting of representatives for discussion of matter of common interest
President
the elected head of a republican state
Supreme Court
highest court of the land, created by Constitution, decides if laws are constitutional or not
Preamble
introduction to the Constitution; outlines the goals of the document
Article IV
Relationships among the States
Article V
The Amending Process
Article VI
National Supremacy
Article VII
Ratification of the Constitution
Elastic Clause/Necessary and Proper Clause
expands the powers of Congress to fulfill listed powers, Article I, Sec 8, Part 18
Full Faith and Credit Clause
states must recognize and respect the laws of other states, Article 4
Supremacy Clause
states that national law is a higher authority than state law when in conflict, Article 6
separation of church and state
principle that the government and religion should be separate, 1st amendment
due process
constitutional procedures that must be followed before the denial of life, liberty and property
suffrage
right to vote
petition
a formal request
simple majority
half plus one, used to impeach, make laws, and quorum
extraordinary majority
2/3rds or 3/4ths, used to remove a President, override veto, and amend
1st amendment
freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition
4th amendment
no unwarranted search and seizure
5th amendment
protects due process with respect to national government
6th amendment
guarantees a speedy trial, fair jury, and an attorney
9th amendment
implied rights
10th amendment
reserved powers of the states
13th amendment
abolished slavery
14th amendment
defines citizenship and protects due process with respect to states
15th amendment
cannot deny rights because of race
19th amendment
women's right to vote
22nd amendment
2 term limit on President
23rd amendment
gave DC 3 electors
24th amendment
abolished poll tax
26th amendment
right to vote set to age 18
confederation
strong states, weak national government
unitary
national has power
federalism
shared power
impeach
to accuse of a crime
Speaker of the House
Paul Ryan, the overall leader of the House of Representatives
Vice President
Joe Biden, President of the Senate
President Pro Tempore
Orrin Hatch, the everyday leader of the Senate
Capitol
building in Washington DC where Congress meets
franking privilege
right of Congress to send work-related mail without paying postage
gerrymandering
dividing a state into odd-shaped districts for political purpose
District of Columbia
site of nation's capitol, located between Maryland and Virginia
filibuster
a tactic for defeating a bill in the Senate by talking until it is withdrawn
enumerated powers
powers listed in the Constitution
implied powers
powers suggested by Constitution
reserved powers
powers of the states protected by the 10th amendment
balance the ticket
choosing a Vice President in order to broaden the chances of winning
Electoral College
group of people who officially elect the President
lame-duck
an elected official continuing to hold office between the election and the inauguration of a successor
Chief of State
role of President as a ceremonial role with great, symbolic significance
Commander in Chief
role of President as the leader of the armed forces
Chief Diplomat
role of President in recognizing other countries or not
foreign policy
a nation's external goals and how to achieve them
domestic policy
a nation's internal goals and how to achieve them
Cabinet
group of presidential advisors
Secretary of State
John Kerry, the head of the State Department, responsible for foreign affairs
Secretary of Defense
Ashton Carter, the head of the Defense Department
original jurisdiction
the authority to hear a case first
appellate jurisdiction
the authority to hear a case appeals and to reverse lower court decisions
District courts
94, created by Congress with original jurisdiction, deals with districts; lowest federal level
Appeals courts
12, created by Congress to handle appeals, appellate jurisdiction, deals with circuits; middle federal level
judicial review
power of the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional
Marbury v Madison
established judicial review
Plessy v Ferguson
separate but equal was constitutional
Brown v Board of Education
separate but equal was unconstitutional
Gideon v Wainwright
states provide attorney if needed
Miranda v Arizona
Miranda rights have to be told to the criminal at the time of arrest
Tinker v Des Moines
defined constitutional rights of students in public schools
Engel v Vitale
no school-led prayer in public schools
Roe v Wade
abortion is legal in first three months of pregnancy
Chief Justice
John Roberts, the presiding judge of the Supreme Court, decides which cases to hear
liberal
tolerant of change
conservative
favors existing state
checks and balances
the powers of each branch to limit the acts of the other 2
separation of powers
political power is divided among the branches of government
Democrat
more government in economy, less in social
Republican
more government in social, less in economy
republic
government by elected representatives
democracy
citizens participate directly
naturalization
process by which non-citizens become citizens