CHAPTER THREE: the United States constitution Flashcards
(14 cards)
1
Q
Preamble
A
- An introduction that explains why the U.S. constitution was written.
2
Q
Delegated powers
A
- Powers of the constitution specifically gives to the federal government.
3
Q
Reserved powers
A
- The states/people have this power that the constitution does not give out specifically to the federal government.
4
Q
Concurrent powers
A
- The federal and state governments share many powers like this. They can raise money through taxes.
5
Q
Legislative branch
A
- Article I
- Makes Laws
- Controls Money
- Congress
- Senate
- 100
- equal
- House
- 435
- population
6
Q
Executive branch
A
- Article II
- Carries out or executes laws
- Members:
- President
- 15 executive departments
- thousands of agencies and divisions.
7
Q
Judicial branch
A
-Article III.
-Interprets laws, sets punishments for people who break law.
- Members
- Supreme Court.
- System of lower courts.
8
Q
Amendment process
A
- Proposed amendments must be approved by three-fourths of the states (38/50)
- We have only changed the Constitution 27 times in 235 years.
THE PROCESS -
- After an amendment has been ratified (approved) by ¾ of the states, it becomes a permanent part of the Constitution
- If the people do not like its effects, another amendment can be passed to repeal (cancel) it.
9
Q
veto
A
- Reject proposed laws.
10
Q
Judicial review
A
- Up to the courts to review the acts of the other branches of government.
11
Q
Checks and balances
A
- Equal distribution of powers and limits on power.
12
Q
Cabinet
A
- President George Washington brought leaders together regularly to serve as his advisors.
13
Q
Supremacy clause
A
- The U.S. Constitution.
- Federal laws and treaties.
- State Constitutions.
- State laws.
- Local laws.
14
Q
Examples of delegated powers
A
- Establish post offices.
- Print money.
- negotiate treaties.
- raise an army.
- use of military to stop any excessive rebellion.
