Six Principles
This principle holds that all governmental power belongs to the people, who are the sole source of that authority.
What is popular sovereignty?
A change or addition that becomes part of the written Constitution itself.
What is an amendment?
Powers granted to the National Government in so many words in the Constitution, such as coining money and declaring war.
What are expressed (delegated) powers?
The system in which powers are divided between a central government and several regional governments.
What is federalism?
Called the "Father of the Constitution," this Virginian's notes are our fullest record of the Philadelphia Convention
Who is James Madison?
Government may do only what the people have given it the power to do; even the government must obey the law.
What is limited government?
The Constitution provides this many methods for formally proposing and ratifying an amendment.
What is four?
Powers not stated outright but reasonably suggested by the expressed powers, drawn from the Necessary and Proper Clause.
What are implied powers?
Congress passes this act directing a territory to frame a proposed State constitution — the first step toward statehood.
What is an enabling act?
By stepping down in 1797, this President set the two-term tradition later written into the 22nd Amendment. (First President)
Who is George Washington?
The Constitution assigns the basic work of governing to three independent, coequal branches.
What is separation of powers?
The formal approval of a proposed amendment, most often given by the legislatures in three fourths of the States.
What is ratification?
Powers the National Government holds simply because it is the government of a sovereign state, such as regulating immigration.
What are inherent powers?
Federal money granted to the States for one specific, narrowly defined purpose, like school lunch programs.
What are categorical grants?
The only President elected to more than two terms; his four victories led directly to the 22nd Amendment.
Who is Franklin D. Roosevelt?
The presidential veto and the Senate's power to reject an appointment are both examples of this restraint system.
What are checks and balances?
These first ten amendments were added in 1791 to answer critics who demanded protection for individual freedoms.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The 10th Amendment leaves these to the States: powers not granted to the National Government and not denied to the States.
What are reserved powers?
Article IV requires every State to honor the public acts, records, and court proceedings of every other State under this clause.
What is the Full Faith and Credit Clause?
This Chief Justice's opinion in McCulloch v. Maryland upheld implied powers and the supremacy of national law.
Who is John Marshall?
The power of a court to declare a government action unconstitutional, and therefore null and void.
What is judicial review?
A pact made directly between the President and the head of a foreign state, requiring no Senate approval — an informal amendment by presidential practice.
What is an executive agreement?
Powers that the National Government and the States hold and exercise at the same time, such as the power to tax.
What are concurrent powers?
The legal process by which a fugitive from justice is returned to the State where the crime was committed.
What is extradition?
The Kennedy assassination left this President without a Vice President for fourteen months, prompting the 25th Amendment.
Who is Lyndon B. Johnson?