C3- Introduction to the US Constitution Flashcards
(41 cards)
Why were the 13 colonies established by the English?
Economic ventures
Religious freedom
Land and settlement
Expansion
Key causes of American Indepedence?
Taxation without Representation
Unfair Trade Policies
Enlightenment Ideas
The Intolerable Acts 1774
1776 Declaration of Independence
What is a codified constitution?
A constitution that is written down in one document
What is an entrenched constitution?
A system by which the US constitution is protected from change by law.
Who were the Founding Fathers?
The men who played an important role in the creation of the US government and American Independence.
What is tyranny?
An unfair form of government in which a person or small group of people have power over everyone else.
What is limited government?
Power of the US federal government over states and citizens subject to limitations laid out in the constitution.
What is the separation of powers?
The 3 key bodies of government: the legislature, executive and judiciary have their own powers, personnel and buildings.
What are checks and balances?
The division of powers between the three branches of government where each branch has a direct ability to prevent action from another branch.
What is federalism?
The US system in which sovereignty is shared between central/federal government and individual states with each having their own specific rights.
What is the amendment process?
A formal change or addition made to a constitution. In the US this includes requiring 2/3 of Congress and 3/4 of states to agree to the amendment.
What is ratification?
The action of giving formal consent to a treaty, contract or agreement making it officially valid.
What is Congress?
The national legislative body of the United States which meets in Washington DC and is comprised of the Senate and the House of Representatives.
What is a bicameral legislature?
A government style with two separate divisions within the legislative branch of government.
What is the senate?
The smaller upper chamber of congress that has 2 senators for each state.
What is the House of Representatives?
The lower chamber of Congress whose membership is determined by each state’s population.
What is oversight?
The ability of one branch of government to supervise the work of another.
What are treaties?
Formal agreements with other countries.
What are presidential nominations?
A candidate for President who has been selected by the delegates if a political party.
Watchdog vs Attack Dog
Watchdog = holding the government to account
Attack dog = Congress deliberately preventing the president from carrying out their agenda.
What is gun control?
The regulation of the sales and use of firearms.
What is the president?
The United States’ head of state of the executive branch.
What is the commander-in-chief?
The person who exercises supreme command and control over an armed force or military branch. The US president.
What are nomination powers?
The authority to propose or select candidates for a position in this case would be the presidency.
