Vocabulary
What is a "veto"?
What branch of government wields this power?
Latin Term meaning "I forbid".
A power of the President (Executive Branch) over Congress.
Note: A veto can be overridden by Congress by a 2/3 vote in each house.
The Great Compromise related to what key issue at the Convention?
Representation in Congress
Which president established the precedent of only serving two terms in office?
George Washington
Both the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution provided for ...
A Congress (Legislative Branch) with legislative powers
What is the purpose of the Judicial Branch of Government?
To interpret the laws
What process is used to change the Constitution?
The Amendment Process
What is a "census"?
Why is it important?
A formal count of the people.
It is also used to determine the population count and the number of representatives each state receives in the House of Representatives.
The Electoral College
Which president broke the two term precedent by being elected to four terms in office?
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)
In what house of Congress to all revenue bills originate?
The House of Representatives
Say it again...
The House of Representatives!!!!
Marbury v Madison was a Supreme Court case that established this power of the Supreme Court.
Judical Review
How many amendments have been added to the Constitution over the years?
27
What is "federalism"?
It is the sharing of power between the state and national governments.
The 3/5 Compromise at the Convention dealt with what two major issues that involved slaves?
1. Representation
2. Taxation
Which Branch of the government enforces the laws?
The Executive Branch
Which house of Congress has it's membership set currently at 100 members?
The Senate
Which branch of government can nullify laws passed by Congress?
The Judical Branch
The President (Executive Branch) can also veto laws passed by Congress.
A person wishing to become a citizen of the US must complete this process first.
The Naturalization Process
What is "popular sovereignty"?
It means "letting the people" decide an issue.
What did James Madison promise the Anti-Federalists to gain their support for the Constitution?
A Bill of Rights
The veto
Impeachment trials, ratification of treaties, approval of presidential appointments are all powers of this House of Congress.
The Senate
The ability of the Supreme Court to review lower courts' decisions and decide if they are "Constitutional" is called...
Judical Review
All of the following can be accomplished by Congress with a simple majority vote except...
Declaration of war, Senate appointment of a Supreme Court Justice, override a presidential veto, or Senate ratification of a treaty.
A veto override requires a two-thirds majority vote (super majority) in both Houses of Congress
It says you can't make a law "after the fact".
ex post facto
This event convinced many Americans of the need for a stronger central government.
Shay's Rebellion
Who was the first person to assume the office of President after the death of a President?
John Tyler
The "last" person to take office due to death/resignation of a president was Gerald Ford.
What is the primary purpose of the Legislative Branch?
To write the laws of the US
Why was the "Line Item Veto Act" declared Unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?
It gave the President power to actually "make" laws which is not permitted.
What was the most alarming characteristic of the new Constitution for those who opposed it?
The lack of a Bill of Rights
What is the "franking privilege" and what branch of Government uses it?
The ability that members of Congress have to send mail (without charge) to their constituents in their home states.
Legislative Branch.
He would be known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his note keeping during the Convention.
James Madison
George Washington
How can Congress override a Presidential veto?
A two-thirds vote of both Houses of Congress (called a super majority)
Supreme Court justices are confirmed by...
The Senate
Also, there are currently nine (9) justices on the Supreme Court (including the Chief Justice)
What is the "Supreme Law of the Land"?
The US Constitution
What is a reprieve?
A stay of sentence in the courts.
What two ideas were added to the Constitution to prevent a strong concentration of political power?
1. Federalism
2. Checks and Balances
He also serves as "President of the Senate".
The Vice-President
It has 435 members, revenue bills originate there and the Impeachment process begins there.
The House of Representatives
Supreme Court justices are chosen by...
The President of the United States and "confirmed" by the Senate
Why is the Constitution called a "living document" by many?
It can be changed
It says that the accused must appear before a judge before being sent to jail.
writ of habeas corpus
Those opposed to the ratification of the Constitution were called ...
Anti-Federalists
Describe the "elastic clause": (the necessary and proper clause):
It gives Congress greater powers than originally delegated to it (make laws that are necessary and proper).
How many members sit on the Supreme Court today?
Nine
John Roberts is the Chief Justice
The Bill of Rights was added for what purpose?
To protect the individual from the power of the federal governmetn
What is a "Super Majority"?
2/3 vote (or more) of Congress.
What amendment of the Constitution gives all powers not restricted by the Constitution or given to the National Government to the States?
10th Amendment
He leads the Senate when the Vice-President is not there.
President Pro-tempore
Which is the only branch of government that is NOT elected?
The Judicial Branch
Note: They are selected by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
What was the biggest disadvantage of the Articles of Confederation when it came to the function of the government?
It could not raise money through taxation.