Preamble
The introduction to the Constitution--it states our goals!
Articles
Part of the Constitution that explains how our government will work
Amendments
27 changes that we've made to our Constitution
State
a group of people in a territory with a government. It's another word for country.
Sovereignty
When people have the rights and power! The nation is independent!
John Locke
Believed that we had rights--life, liberty, and to own property! He also believed in limited government.
Federal System
Power is shared between the national AND state governments.
Constitution
A framework or plan for our government
Autocracy
A government ruled by just one person.
Totalitarian Dictatorship
When a country is ruled by a dictator--people don't have many rights. North Korea
Absolute Monarchy
The people are ruled only by a king/queen. Saudi Arabia
Representative Democracy
Citizens vote on elected individuals to make laws for them. USA
Direct Democracy
Citizens vote on all issues. Switzerland
Magna Carta
First example of limited government
Mayflower Compact
First example of self-government in U.S. - set up a direct democracy
Native Americans, Europeans, and Africans
These three groups converged upon North America in the 1600's.
Legislature
law making group with representatives
Separation of Powers
no one branch holds all of the power
No Taxation without Representation
Words of protest by the colonists. They were mad that they were being heavily taxed without a say in their government.
Articles of Confederation
The United States' first attempt at government--many weaknesses!
Unicameral
One single law making group (legislature)
Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
could not create an army or navy
could not raise tax
could not have a national court
States had more power than the national government
Virginia Plan
A plan for our legislature--representation should be based on population
New Jersey Plan
A plan for our legislature--representation should be equal
Great Compromise
Created a bicameral legislature with a House of Representatives and a Senate.
Bicameral
Two chambers--two law making groups
3/5's Compromise
Only three-fifths of the states would count towards the population of a state. This would determine representation in the House of Representatives.
Federalists
Wanted to scrap the Articles of Confederation, to create a new Constitution, and a large government.
Anti-Federalists
Wanted to keep the Articles of Confederation and repair it, did NOT want a new Constitution, and demanded a Bill of Rights.
Judicial Review
When one branch is able to decide if a national or state law has broken or violated the Constitution.
Checks and Balances
Each branch has some control over the other branches. For example: The President can veto a bill that the Congress is trying to pass.
Dual Court System
Both the federal and states have an executive, legislative, and judicial branch.
Amend
to change or modify--it requires both 2/3's of the Senate and 2/3's of the House of Representatives to do this!
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments
4th amendment
An amendment stating that the police must have a search warrant!
5th amendment
An amendment stating the you have the right to remain silent, and cannot be tried for the same crime twice.
6th amendment
An amendment stating that you have a right to a speedy jury trial.
8th amendment
An amendment that states that bail and fines cannot be excessive. It also bans cruel and unusual punishment.
13th amendment
An amendment that has banned slavery.
14th amendment
An amendment that gives equal protection of life, liberty and property to all citizens.
15th amendment
An amendment that states that you cannot be denied the right to vote based upon your race.
Dred Scott
A case about an African-American slave who tried to sue his owner for his freedom. He argued that because he had lived in MN and Wisconsin that he was a free man. The Supreme Court ruled that he was a slave and not a citizen. Therefore, he could not sue his owner for his freedom because slaves did not have rights.
Naturalization
The process an immigrant goes through to become a citizen.
Expatriation
Giving up one's citizenship voluntarily or involuntarily. For example: If I become a citizen of Australia, I automatically lose my U.S. citizenship.
Responsibilities of a Citizen
Campaigning for a candidate, having knowledge of current events, voting or working at the polls
19th amendment
Women get the right to vote in 1920
Political Party
A group of people with common interests who organize to win elections and control government.
Two Party System
When two political parties compete against each other to win elections. USA has this system.
Third Party
Any party other than the two major parties. Also can be called the minor party. They typically promote unpopular ideas and sway voters in narrow elections.
Lobbyist
A person who represents interest groups and tries to directly influence law makers.
PAC
A political action committee. They collect money and provide support for political candidates. These campaign contributions often allow special influence groups to have access to lawmakers.
Propaganda
Information that can be misleading or biased. Includes: testimonials by celebrities, plain folks, and bandwagon.
Caucus
When a group of people come together, discuss issues, and then raise their hands to vote for a candidate that they'd like to see be their parties ONE candidate for the presidential election. We have this system in MN.
Open Primary
When voters come together before an election to select a candidate to run for president for their party. In this type of primary, you ARE NOT required to declare your own personal party affiliation.
Closed Primary
When voters come together before an election to select a candidate to run for president for their party. In this type of primary, you ARE required to declare your own personal party affiliation.
Platform
How the party feels about issues and a plan for tackling them
Popular Vote
The total number of people in the United States that vote for each candidate.
Electoral College
A states electoral votes are based on population. A state gets the same number of votes as they have representatives in the House of Representatives. MN=10 A candidate must win 270/538 electoral votes to win the presidency!
27
The number of amendments that have been made to the Constitution.
4
The number of years a president is elected for.
9
The number of Justices on the Supreme Court.
July 4, 1776
The day the United States declared their independence from the British!
Commander in Chief
Another name for the President.