Constitution Vocab

Question 1

Article

Answer 1

One of the seven main divisions of the body of the constitution.

Question 2

Jurisdiction

Answer 2

The authority of a court to rule on certain cases.

Question 3

Supremacy clause

Answer 3

Statement in Article VI of the Constitution establishing that the Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and the treaties of the United States “Shall be the supreme law of the land”.

Question 4

Amendment

Answer 4

A change to the Constitution.

Question 5

Popular sovereignty

Answer 5

Rule by the people.

Question 6

Federalism

Answer 6

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments.

Question 7

Separation of Powers

Answer 7

The division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government.

Question 8

Checks and Balances

Answer 8

The system where each branch of government exercises some control over the others.

Question 9

Veto

Answer 9

Rejection of a bill.

Question 10

Judicial Review

Answer 10

The power of the supreme court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional.

Question 11

Expressed powers

Answer 11

Powers directly stated in the Constitution.

Question 12

Enumerated powers

Answer 12

The expressed powers of Congress that are itemized and numbered 1-18 in Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution.

Question 13

Elastic Clause

Answer 13

Clause in Article 1, section 8 of the Constitution that gives Congress the right to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the powers expressed in the other clauses of Article 1.

Question 14

Federal bureaucracy

Answer 14

Departments and agencies of the federal government - mostly the executive branch.

Question 15

Ratify

Answer 15

To approve.

Question 16

Petition

Answer 16

An appeal

Question 17

Balanced budget

Answer 17

Plan requiring that what the government spends will not exceed its income.

Question 18

Impeach

Answer 18

To accuse a public official of misconduct in office.

Question 19

Treaty

Answer 19

A formal agreement between the governments of two or more countries.

Question 20

Executive agreement

Answer 20

An agreement made between the president and a head of state.

Question 21

Judicial Restraint

Answer 21

The philosophy that the Supreme Court should avoid taking the initiative on social and political questions.

Question 22

Judicial Activism

Answer 22

The philosophy that the Supreme Court should play an active role in shaping national policies by addressing social and political issues.

Question 23

Prior Restraint

Answer 23

Government censorship of information before it is published or broadcast.

Question 24

Probable Cause

Answer 24

A reasonable basis to believe a person or premises is linked to a crime.

Question 25

Search Warrant

Answer 25

An order signed by a judge describing a specific place to be searched for specific items.

Question 26

Arrest Warrant

Answer 26

An order signed by a judge naming the individual to be arrested for a specific crime.

Question 27

Due Process of Law

Answer 27

Principle in the Fifth Amendment stating that the government must follow proper constitutional procedures in trials and in other actions it takes against individuals.

Question 28

Eminent domain

Answer 28

The power of the government to take private property for public use.

Question 29

Lame Duck

Answer 29

An outgoing official serving out the remainder of a term, after retiring or being defeated for reelection.

Question 30

Poll Tax

Answer 30

Money paid in order to vote.

Question 31

Delegated Powers

Answer 31

Powers the Constitution grants or delegates to the national government.

Question 32

Implied Powers

Answer 32

Powers that the government requires to carry out the expressed constitutional powers.

Question 33

Inherent Powers

Answer 33

Powers that the national government may exercise simply because it is a government.

Question 34

Reserved Powers

Answer 34

Powers that belong strictly to the states.

Question 35

Concurrent Powers

Answer 35

Powers that both the national government and the states have.

Question 36

Enabling Act

Answer 36

The first step in the state admission procedure which enables the people of a territory to prepare a constitution.

Question 37

Extradite

Answer 37

To return a criminal or fugitive who flees across state lines back to the original state.

Question 38

Civil Law

Answer 38

One relating to disputes among two or more individuals or between individuals and the government.

Question 39

Interstate Compact

Answer 39

A written agreement between two or more states.

Question 40

States’ rights position

Answer 40

A position that favors state and local action in dealing with problems.

Question 41

Nationalist Position

Answer 41

A position that favors national action in dealing with problems.

Question 42

Income Tax

Answer 42

The tax levied on individual and corporate earnings.

Question 43

Sunset Law

Answer 43

A law that requires periodic checks of government agencies to see if they are still needed.

Question 44

Sunshine Law

Answer 44

A law prohibiting public officials from holding meetings not open to the public.

Question 45

Bureaucracy

Answer 45

Government administrators.