Vocabulary
The part of government that carries out, or executes, the laws
Executive Branch
The lawmaking part of govenment
Legislative Branch
The part of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, that interprets the laws
Judicial Branch
-Includes the President
-Enforces the laws
Executive Branch
Congress voting to impeach the president for doing something wrong is an example of what principle?
Checks and Balances
The constitutional system that shares power between the national and state governments
Federalism
The system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other two branches
Checks and Balances
A basic principle of democracy that says laws are passed by majority vote and elections are decided by a majority of the voters
Majority Rule
-Includes Congress
-Makes the laws
Legislative Branch
The phrase from the Preamble that illustrates the principle of popular sovereignty...
"We the people..."
A key constitutional principle that divides the functions of government among three branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power
Separation of Powers
The idea that the government's authority comes from the people
Popular Sovereignty
An organization that actively promotes the view of some part of the public on specific issues in order to influence government policy
Interest Group
-Includes the Supreme Court
-Interprets the laws
Judicial Branch
That there are three branches of government and each one is in charge of doing something different is an example of what principle?
Separation of powers
The power of the Supreme Court to decide whether laws and acts made by the legislative and executive branches are unconstitutional
Judicial Review
Trade and other business dealings between two or more states
Interstate Commerce
Changes that were added later to the Constitution
Amendments
-100 People
-The Upper House
-Members serve 6-year terms
Senate
The phrase from the Constitution that means that all state and federal laws and decisions by judges have to agree with the Constitution, because the Constitution is above them...
"Supreme law of the land..."
To take away the right to vote
Disenfranchise
The power of Indigenous tribes to govern themselves
Tribal Sovereignty
-Obey the law
-Pay taxes
-Register with the Selective Service System, if male
-Serve on a jury if summoned
Things that all citizens must do
-435 People
-The Lower House
-Members serve two-year terms
House of Representatives
The Constitution saying what the federal government is in charge of, and saying that everything not mentioned is left to the states shows what principle?
Divide in power between federal and states governments