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Holzshu Civics CE2
Constitution and the 3 Branches of Govt.
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Consent of the governed | The people are the source of any and all governmental power. |
Limited government | Government is not all-powerful and may do only those things the people have given it the power to do. |
Rule of law | The government and those who govern are bound by the law |
Democracy | the people rule. |
Representative government | the people elect public officeholders to make laws and conduct government on the people’s behalf. |
The charters of the Virginia Company of London | guaranteed the rights of Englishmen to the colonists. |
The Virginia Declaration of Rights | served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the |
The Declaration of Independence | stated grievances against the king of Great Britain |
another word for complaints | grievances |
The US Colonies | declared their independence from Great Britain |
“certain unalienable rights” | life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness |
The Articles of Confederation | established the first form of national government for the independent states |
Problems with the Articles of Confederation | it created weak central government (e.g., no power to tax or enforce laws) |
The Constitution followed | the Articles of Confederation in 1789 |
The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom stated | freedom of religious beliefs and opinions. |
The Constitution established | the structure of the United States government |
Bill of Rights | protected the fundamental freedoms of religion, speech, press, assembly, and petition. |
The Preamble begins, | “We the People,” |
The Preamble expresses | the reasons the constitution was written. |
Preamble phrase of why the Constitution is needed | To form a more perfect union |
Preamble phrase of why we need a court system | To establish justice |
Preamble phrase to keep the peace | To ensure domestic tranquility |
Preamble phrase of why we need a military | To provide for the common defense |
Preamble phrase of why we need to help the needy | To promote the general welfare |
Posterity | Preamble phrase the means children, and future generations. |
The amendment process is | complex. |
The number of amendments in the Constitution | 27 amendments |
US Constitution Amendment process: – | Proposal: action by Congress or convention, and Ratification: by the states |
Ratification definition | to affirm or approve |
Amendment definition | to change |
Virginia Constitution Amendment process: | Proposal: action by General Assembly or convention – Ratification: by voters of Virginia |
General Assembly definition | the state legislative (lawmaking) body |
Executive Branch | enforces or carries out the law |
Judicial Branch | interprets the law |
Legislative Branch | makes the laws |
Leader of the Executive Branch | President |
Leader of the Judicial Branch | Supreme Court |
Leader of the Legislative Branch | Congress |
POTUS | President of the United States |
Bicameral Congress | two houses/chambers |
Senate | Legislative Branch with 100 members |
House of Representatives | Number of Reps is based on the state’s population |
Unconstitutional Definition | means illegal |
Cabinet Definition | means advisors |
Interpret Definition | means makes decisions about |
Article I is about | Legislative Branch |
Article II is about | Executive Branch |
Article III is about | Judicial Branch |
Who can make a law? | Congressman/woman |
Veto means | reject |
Override a veto | takes a 2/3 majority |
impeachment | means remove |
Another word for the president is | chief executive |
The President appoints | judges, ambassadors and cabinet members |
Who makes the budget? | Executive Branch |
Who approves the budget? | Legislative Branch |
Only Congress can declare | war |
1st Step in Lawmaking: | introduction of a bill by a congressman |
2nd Step in Lawmaking: | bill goes to committee |
3rd Step in Lawmaking: | Debate a bill |
4th Step in Lawmaking: | Vote on a bill |
Last Step in Lawmaking: | President signs a bill into law |
State of the Union | Annual speech by the president |
Chief of State | Presidential role of ceremonies |
Commander-in-Chief | Presidential role of head of the armed forces |
Chief legislator | Presidential role as suggesting laws |
Chief Diplomat | Presidential role in building America's foreign policy. |
Chief of Party | Presidential role as leader of the political party |