Principles of the Constitution
This principle is defined as...the division and sharing of powers between the different levels of government (federal, state, and local).
What is federalism?
This was the United States first attempt at a federal government. It was weak, ineffective, and a complete failure.
What is the Articles of Confederation?
This type of power is the powers of the federal government that are specifically written in the Constitution.
What is "expressed" powers?
The legislative branch of the federal government is made up of this one group (in these two parts).
What is Congress (Senate and House of Representatives)?
These freedoms (name two) of expression are protected by the First Amendment.
What is freedom of speech, the press, religion, assembly, or to petition the government?
Citizens vote to elect officials at these two levels of government (beneath the federal level).
What is state and local?
This principle is defined as...the federal government has only the powers specifically stated in the Constitution.
What is limited government?
This violent uprising of Massachusetts farmers exposed many of the weaknesses of the first U.S. government.
What is Shays' Rebellion?
This type of power is the powers that the states keep for themselves. The name for these powers comes from the tenth amendment, which states that powers not listed in the Constitution are (blank) for the states.
What is "reserved" powers?
The executive branch of the U.S. government is made up of these two individuals and this group of advisors (who lead federal departments).
What is the President, Vice President, and cabinet?
This group has the power to strike down laws or executive actions by declaring them as "unconstitutional."
What is the Supreme Court?
This right (related to personal protection) is protected by the Second Amendment.
What is the right to bear arms?
Citizens do not make laws, but they vote to elect members of these two groups, who represent them in the lawmaking process.
What is the Senate and House of Representatives?
This principle is defined as...the Constitution distributes (and divides) the powers and responsibilities of the federal government between three distinct and unique branches.
What is separation of powers?
This meeting of state leaders in Philadelphia was originally planned to make changes to the Articles of Confederation. Instead, an entirely new governing document was produced.
What is the Constitutional Convention?
This type of power is the powers that are shared between federal and state/local governments. The nickname for these powers literally means "happening at the same time."
What is "concurrent" powers?
The judicial branch of the federal government is made up of this one group and this system underneath them.
What is the Supreme Court and federal court system?
This group has the power to impeach (and remove) federal government officials.
What is Congress?
Protection from this (related to personal property and privacy) is provided in the Fourth Amendment.
What is unreasonable search and seizure?
Representatives of nine of the thirteen original U.S. states had to do this to the Constitution before it became "supreme law of the land."
What is ratify or approve?
This principle is defined as...the Constitution gives each branch of government specific powers to limit the powers of the other two.
What is checks and balances?
One of the major debates between the framers was over how much power the new federal government should have. On one side, this group favored a strong central government. On the other, this group feared a strong central government and wanted states to have more power and independence.
What is Federalists and Anti-Federalists?
This type of power is the powers that the federal government has even though they are not specifically written in the Constitution.
What is "implied" powers?
The main function or purpose of the legislative branch is to do this with laws. They are the only branch that can do this (special power).
What is create laws and (answers vary)?
This group has the power to approve or reject treaties signed by the President.
What is the Senate?
These rights of the accused are protected by the Fifth and Sixth Amendment.
What is (answers vary)?
Citizens vote to elect a president every four years. Those votes are part of an indirect election system known as this.
What is the electoral college?
This principle is defined as...the Constitution guarantees and protects certain rights and freedoms for individual citizens.
What is civil liberties?
One of the major debates between the framers was over representation in the legislative branch. States with large populations wanted proportional representation. States with small populations wanted equal representation. The resulting agreement is known as this.
What is the Great Compromise?
This clause in the Constitution is where the concept of implied powers comes from. The document states that Congress can make any laws "(blank) and (blank)" for carrying out their expressed powers.
What is the "necessary and proper" clause?
The main function or purpose of the executive branch is to do this with laws. They are the only branch that can do this (special power).
What is carry out laws and (answers vary)?
This person has the power to appoint new justices to the Supreme Court.
What is the President?
Protection from this (related to criminal justice) is provided in the Eighth Amendment.
What is excessive bail/fines or cruel and unusual punishment?
In the electoral college system, candidates mostly focus on these states which switch back and forth between parties. They ignore these other states that usually vote for the same party.
What are "swing" states and "safe" states?
This principle is defined as...the government gets its power from the people (also known as "consent of the governed").
What is popular sovereignty?
One of the major debates between the framers was over determining population for representation. Southern states wanted to count their enslaved population for more votes. Northern states thought this was unfair. The resulting agreement is known as this.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
This is the nickname for the "necessary and proper" clause because it allows Congress to stretch or expand their powers.
What is the "elastic" clause?
The main function or purpose of the judicial branch is to do this with laws. They are the only branch that can do this (special power).
What is interpret laws and judicial review?
This person has the power to approve or reject (veto) laws passed by Congress.
What is the President?
This famous Supreme Court case/decision established the requirement for law enforcement officers to communicate certain rights to detainees.
What is Miranda v. Arizona?
The electoral college system is somewhat controversial because, five times in history, a candidate has lost an election despite winning this.
What is the popular vote?