Principles of the Constitution
The principle that governmental authority is derived from the will of the people / consent of the governed.
"We the People of the United States." -Preamble to the Constitution
What is popular sovereignty?
The location of the requirements to be President
What is Article 2?
All 27 successful amendments have been proposed this way.
What is 2/3 of both chambers of Congress?
The Supreme Court changes our understanding of the Constitution by doing this
Judicial Review / Interpretation
A horizontal distribution of governmental powers among independent branches.
What is Separation of Powers?
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof..." -1st Amendment
What is limited government?
The location needed to find out the powers of Congress
26 out of 27 amendments have been ratified this way.
What is 3/4 state legislatures?
Congress clarifies and builds onto the Constitution by doing this.
Writing laws
Different branches of government have powers to limit those of the other branches, making sure not 1 branch becomes too powerful.
What is checks and balances?
"The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively..." -10th Amendment
What is federalism?
The location needed to find out how to formally change the Constitution
What is Article 5?
No amendment has ever been proposed using this alternative method.
What is a national convention called by 2/3 of states?
The President often uses these to direct federal agencies and change policies.
What are executive orders?
When a court determines a governmental action as either constitutional or unconstitutional.
What is Judicial Review?
"The accumulation of all powers -- legislative, executive, and judiciary -- in the same hands... may justly be pronounced the very definition of tyranny." -Federalist 47
What is separation of powers?
The location to learn whether my rights are the same in Florida as they are in Ohio.
What is Article 4?
This method of ratification was used ONLY for the 21st amendment. Party in the USA!
What are 3/4 state conventions?
This clause in Article 1 gives Congress the power to fulfill its duties.
What is Necessary and Proper Clause?
A system in which power is vertically divided between a national and state governments.
What is federalism?
"Every Bill which shall have passed the House of Representatives and the Senate, shall, before it become a Law, be presented to the President of the United States..." -Article 1, Section 7
What is checks and balances?
The location to learn whether national or state laws are superior
What is Article 6
What is we choose national and state legislators through our votes
What is a 2 party system?