popular sovereignity
Consent of the governed.
Preamble
An introduction that explains why the U.S. Constitution was written.
limited government
A government with specific restrictions on its power.
majority rule
The principle that, in a disagreement, everyone will accept the decision of the majority.
delegated powers
Powers given to the federal government. (country's defense)
reserved powers
Powers reserved for the states or the people. (conduct elections, regulate trade within the state, and establish local governments)
concurrent powers
Powers shared by the state and federal government. (raising money through taxes, power to establish courts, create banks, enforce laws, provide for health of American people)
separation of powers
The structure where one branch writes the laws, another one carries out the laws, and a third interprets the laws.
legislative branch
The lawmaking arm of the federal government.
executive branch
The branch of government responsible for carrying out the country's laws.
judicial branch
The branch of government that interprets the laws.
checks and balances
The equal distribution of powers and limits on power.
judicial review
The principle that says that it's up to the courts to review the acts of the other branches of government. The courts decide whether the government has acted correctly.
amendment
A written change made to the constitution.
repeal
Cancel.
cabinet
The president's advisers.
What did the pilgrims do that later influenced the framers of the constitution?
They created the Mayflower Compact, the citizens gave up some of their individual powers to the government they created, popular sovereignty
What are the goals of the US government as outlined by the constitution?
Limited Government, Majority Rule with Minority Rights, Powers of the People (Bill of Rights)
Explain why the constitution sets out the powers granted to the federal and state governments.
The constitution delegated important powers to the federal government alone. This made the national government stronger. However the framers also wanted to limit the power of the federal government, to keep it from becoming too powerful. There are powers
Is a government that states that it receives its power from the people likely to be more stable or less stable than a government that power by military force?
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Why is it important that the federal government and the state governments have separate as well as shared powers?
each level of government can do its part to meet the constitutional commitments
Why did the framers separate the powers of government?
to keep any government from becoming too powerful, to prevent tyranny
Compare the 3 branches of government
Legislative Branch:Congress which makes laws
Executive Branch: carries out laws passed by congress, president is the head
Judicial Branch: federal courts, interpret the meaning of the laws, Supreme Court is the highest court
How does the federal system limit the powers of government?
Checks and balances, the president can veto and congress can override the veto(with enough votes), judicial can strike down any law that does not follow the constitution
What checks does the executive branch have over the other two branches?
the president can veto and congress can override the veto(with enough votes)
Why were the framers of the constitution concerned about concentrating government power in one place?
to protect your rights if the power to make and enforce laws was put into the hands of only one person
When it comes to the country's laws, how is the legislative branch's responsibility different from the executive branch's responsibility?
legislative branch makes the laws and executive branch enforces the law
What do you think would happen if a president tried to avoid carrying out a law because he/she thought the law was unconstitutional?
could be vetoed, could be impeached/removed
Does veto power enable the president to stop any law by Congress? Why or why not?
If the president vetoes a law, congress can override the veto with a 2/3 vote
How important do you think it is that the supreme court can review laws passed by congress if necessary and declare the law unconstitutional?
the supreme court can determine if the act of the president or members of the executive branch are constitutional
What are some changes in modern times that the framers could not have foreseen?
gender, civil rights, voting rights
How did John Marshall increase the power of the supreme court?
He established that the supreme court was an equal branch of government and declared that congress had powers beyond those specifically listed in the constitution
Why is it important that the framers wrote the constitution to include a process for changing the constitution?
sometimes change is needed not just wanted to adapt to modern day issues
How have changes in daily life since 1787 changed the problems that lawmakers deal with today?
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What are two ways that an amendment to the constitution may be proposed?
congress can approve an amendment by a 2/3 vote in both houses or legislatures of the states- 34/50 can ask congress to call a national convention to propose an amendment
What might happen if it was easier to amend the constitution?
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