Constitutional Vocab

Question 1

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

Answer 1

Article

Question 2

The authority of a court to rule on certain cases.

Answer 2

Jurisdiction

Question 3

Statement of article VI of the Constitution establishing that the constitution, laws passed by Congress, and treaties of the United States”shall be the supreme law of the land”

Answer 3

Supremacy Clause

Question 4

A change to the Constitution.

Answer 4

Amendment

Question 5

Rule by the people

Answer 5

Popular Sovereignty

Question 6

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

Answer 6

Federalism

Question 7

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

Answer 7

Separation of powers

Question 8

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

Answer 8

Checks and balances

Question 9

Rejection of a bill.

Answer 9

Veto

Question 10

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

Answer 10

Judicial review

Question 11

Powers directly stated in the Constitution

Answer 11

Expressed Powers

Question 12

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

Answer 12

Enumerated powers

Question 13

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

Answer 13

Elastic clause

Question 14

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

Answer 14

Federal bureaucracy

Question 15

To approve

Answer 15

Ratify

Question 16

An appeal

Answer 16

Petition

Question 17

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

Answer 17

Balanced budget

Question 18

To accuse a public official of misconduct in office

Answer 18

Impeach

Question 19

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

Answer 19

Treaty

Question 20

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

Answer 20

Executive agreement

Question 21

the philosophy that the supreme court declares laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional.

Answer 21

Judicial restraint

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Judicial activism

Question 23

Government censorship of information before it is published or broadcast.

Answer 23

Prior restraint

Question 24

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

Answer 24

Probable cause

Question 25

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

Answer 25

Search warrant

Question 26

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

Answer 26

Arrest warrant

Question 27

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

Answer 27

Due Process of Law

Question 28

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

Answer 28

Eminent domain

Question 29

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

Answer 29

Lame duck

Question 30

Money paid in order to vote.

Answer 30

Poll tax

Question 31

Powers the constitution grants or delegates to the national government.

Answer 31

Delegated powers

Question 32

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

Answer 32

Implied powers

Question 33

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

Answer 33

Inherent powers

Question 34

Powers that strictly belong to the states.

Answer 34

Reversed powers

Question 35

Powers that both the national and state governments have.

Answer 35

Concurrent powers

Question 36

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

Answer 36

Enabling act

Question 37

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

Answer 37

Extradite

Question 38

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

Answer 38

Civil law

Question 39

A written agreement between two or more states.

Answer 39

Interstate compact

Question 40

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

Answer 40

States’ rights position

Question 41

A position that favors national action in dealing with problems.

Answer 41

Nationalist position

Question 42

The tax levied on individual or corporate earnings.

Answer 42

Income tax

Question 43

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

Answer 43

Sunset law

Question 44

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

Answer 44

Sunshine law

Question 45

Government administrators

Answer 45

bureaucracy

Question 46

Support for a republican system of government

Answer 46

Republicanism

Question 47

A system in which the power of the government is limited, not absolute.

Answer 47

Limited government

Question 48

The rights needed by each individual to pursue their lives and goals without interference from other individuals or the government.

Answer 48

Individual rights