Sooo many powers
To make sure no person in government has too much power, the Constitution provides for a ________________. These powers are placed in three different branches of governments
What are the separation of powers?
The rights of freedom of religion, freedom of speech and the press, freedom to assemble in groups and to protest against the government and petition; the right to bear arms; the right to a speedy and public trial by jury; the right to be free from unreasonable searches by the government; and freedom from "cruel and unusual" punishments (these are the major ones) are included here.
Where is the Bill of Rights?
This process, outlined in Article V of the Constitution, is required to add or change a provision in the Constitution.
What is amending the Constitution?
This principle divides government powers into three branches: legislative, executive, and judicial.
What is Separation of Powers?
This body has the authority to interpret the Constitution and decide on the constitutionality of laws and actions.
What is the Judicial Branch?
These powers are those that belong to the states. The Constitution does not specifically list these powers. "all powers not specifically granted to the federal government are '________ to the state'". -10th Amendment.
This amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms.
What is the second amendment?
To propose an amendment to the Constitution, this many votes in both houses of Congress are needed.
What is 2/3rds?
This principle ensures that no branch of government becomes too powerful by giving each branch the ability to limit the powers of the others.
What is Checks and Balances?
This presidential power allows the President to reject a bill passed by Congress, preventing it from becoming law.
What is veto?
These are powers shared with the federal government and the state governments. These might include the right to raise taxes, borrow money, provide for public welfare, and carry out criminal justice.
What are concurrent powers?
These rights are listed in Amendment 6.
What are the rights of accused persons in criminal cases?
-right to a speedy and public trial
-impartial jury
-to be aware of the criminal charges,
-to confront witnesses during the trial,
-to have witnesses appear in the trial
-the right to legal representation.
Once an amendment is proposed by Congress, state legislatures must ratify it by ______ vote for it to become law.
3/4ths
This principle ensures the government has only the powers granted by the people, preventing abuse of power.
What is limited government?
This clause, found in Article VI of the Constitution, establishes that federal law takes precedence over state law when the two are in conflict.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
These powers include the power to coin money, regulate trade, maintain the armed forces, and create federal courts. States cannot exercise these powers.
What are enumerated powers?
This amendment prohibits the government from forcing citizens to house soldiers in their homes during peacetime without their consent.
What is the third amendment?
Instead of state legislatures, this body can be convened by Congress to ratify an amendment.
What is a constitutional convention?
This principle holds that the people, through elected representatives, have the ultimate authority in government.
What is Popular Sovereignty?
The Constitution has formally and informally changed over time because of these TWO processes.
What are amendments and judicial interpretations?
These are powers that are suggested but not directly stated in the Constitution. The source of these powers is found in the "necessary and proper clause," or the "elastic clause."
What are implied powers?
The first amendment has these specific rights (yes, you need to list all of them, there's 5).
What are the freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition?
This method has never been used to propose an amendment.
What is the method of 2/3rds of the state legislatures calling for a convention?
This principle ensures that rights and freedoms not specifically mentioned in the Constitution are still protected.
What is individual rights?
The Constitution sets up these structures to limit the powers of the national government by reserving certain powers to the states.
What is federalism?