The constitution Flashcards
(35 cards)
Articles of confederation
the first constitution of the 13 American states, adopted in 1781 and replaced in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States.
Declaration of independence
he public act by which the Second Continental Congress, on July 4, 1776, declared the Colonies to be free and independent of England.
treason
the offense of acting to overthrow one’s government or to harm or kill its sovereign.
checks and balances
the separation of power in the government, which is ensured through the establishment of three different branches: the executive branch, the judicial branch, and the legislative branch.
Separation of powers
the principle or system of vesting in separate branches the executive, legislative, and judicial powers of a government.
great compromise
proposed a bicameral legislature with proportional representation in the lower house and equal representation of the states in the upper house.
tariff
an official list or table showing the duties or customs imposed by a government on imports or exports.
repeal
an official list or table showing the duties or customs imposed by a government on imports or exports.
civil discourse
being able to show respect for others
3/5ths compromise
It determined that three out of every five slaves was counted when determining a state’s total population for legislative representation and taxation.
constitution
the system of fundamental principles according to which a nation, state, corporation, or the like, is governed.
preamble
the introductory part of a statute, deed, or the like, stating the reasons and intent of what follows.
bill of rights
the first ten amendments to the US Constitution, ratified in 1791 and guaranteeing such rights as the freedoms of speech, assembly, and worship.
legislative branch
the branch of government having the power to make laws; the legislature.
executive branch
the branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs; the executive.
judicial branch
the branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws and the administration of justice; the judiciary.
Congress
the national legislative body of the U.S., consisting of the Senate, or upper house, and the House of Representatives, or lower house, as a continuous institution.
senate
an assembly or council of citizens having the highest deliberative functions in a government, especially a legislative assembly of a state or nation.
house of representatives
the lower legislative branch in many national and state bicameral governing bodies, as in the United States, Mexico, and Japan. Abbreviations:H.R., HR
equal representation
Apportionment (politics), the way that representatives are assigned to voting groups, with equal representation meaning that all groups are fairly represented. One man, one vote, the principle that each vote must have equal value.
proportional representation
a method of voting by which political parties are given legislative representation in proportion to their popular vote.
president
the highest executive officer of a modern republic, as the chief executive of the United States:
supreme court
the highest judicial court in a country or state.
fugitive slave clause
gives enslavers the right to seize enslaved people who escaped to free states.
