Chapter 1
The supreme power of a state to act within its territory and have absolute authority over its internal and external affairs is called...
Sovereignty
These two schools of thought greatly influenced the framers of the Constitution.
The Enlightenment and Judeo-Christian beliefs.
A power the executive branch has to check the legislative branch.
Veto
Who is responsible for solving conflicts between the states and the federal government?
US Supreme Court
The Enlightenment philosopher who created the idea of separation of powers.
Montesquieu
A system of government headed by one person whose position is inherited and whose power is supreme.
Monarchy
First plan for uniting the American colonies, proposed by Ben Franklin.
The Albany Plan of Union
How can an amendment to the Constitution be ratified?
Three-fourths of the states must approve through legislatures or conventions.
When different levels of government share authority over the same land and people.
Federalism
This principle of American democracy is at work when two opposing groups relax some of their demands in an attempt to reach an agreement.
Compromise
Population, territory, sovereignty, and an established government.
Characteristics of a state.
A major weakness of the Articles of Confederation?
Congress lacked the power to tax.
What is the purpose of the Preamble of the Constitution?
States the goals for the new government
If federal and state laws conflict, federal laws take precedence so long as they are judged to be constitutional; this is called...
The Supremacy Clause
In a parliamentary system, who must resign immediately if he or she loses the support of the majority party in parliament?
Prime Minister
The system of government at the foundation of the United States of America.
Federalism
Parliament imposed a series of taxes on the colonies beginning in 1764 in order to what?
Help pay Britain’s debts resulting from the French and Indian War.
The name of the group of executive department heads who advise the president.
Cabinet
Requirements imposed by the federal government as a condition of receiving grant money.
Mandates
According to the Three-Fifths Compromise, three-fifths of a state’s slave population would be...
Counted when determining representation in Congress.
This theory holds that the first governments formed as a result of people agreeing among themselves to submit to the authority of a state.
Social Contract Theory
Representation in the legislature based on population was proposed in what plan?
Virginia Plan
Judicial review was established with this Supreme Court case.
Marbury v Madison
According to the doctrine of nullification, states could...
Refuse to obey or enforce federal laws with which they disagreed.
What are some reserved powers of the states?
Public education, managing elections, public safety, licensing, interstate commerce, local government.