Help
Options
Didn't know it?
click below
click below
Knew it?
click below
click below
Don't Know
Remaining cards (0)
Know
retry
shuffle
restart
0:00
Embed Code - If you would like this activity on your web page, copy the script below and paste it into your web page.
Normal Size Small Size show me how
Normal Size Small Size show me how
The U.S. Government
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Articles of Confederation | First plan of government for the United States. Was a failure and replaced by the Constitution |
| Shays' Rebellion | Rebellion in 1787 by farmers who were ex-soldiers in the Continental Army. National government could not put it down due to lack of military. |
| Constitutional Convention | Meeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United States. |
| Great Compromise | Compromise that Congress would have two chambers: A House of Representatives based on population, and a Senate with two Senators per state |
| House of Representatives | The lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population. The higher a state's population, the more representatives it has |
| Senate | The upper house of Congress, consisting of two Senators from each state |
| Three-Fifths Compromise | Compromise between northern and southern states at the Constitutional Convention that three-fifths of the slave population would be counted for determining representation in the House of Representatives and taxes |
| Separation of Powers | the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government |
| Legislative Branch | The branch of government that makes the laws. Commonly known as Congress |
| Executive Branch | The branch of government that enforces laws. Led by the President |
| Judicial Branch | The branch of government that interprets laws. Consists of Supreme Court and lower courts |
| Supreme Court | Consists of nine justices, each appointed by the President and confirmed by Congress. Appointment is for life. Supreme Court exercises the power to determine if laws are constitutional or unconstitutional |
| Checks and Balances | A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power |
| Bill | A proposed law that the legislative branch votes on |
| Veto | When the president rejects a bill and won't sign it to make it a law |
| How a bill becomes a law | 1. written 2. discussed in committee + voted 3. discussed in House of Reps. and Senate + voted on in both 4. President signs it or vetoes it (which brings back to Congress, needs 2/3 vote to override veto) |
| Federalism | A system in which power is divided between the federal and state governments |
| Federal Government | Government for the entire United States. Also known as the national government. |
| State Government | Refers to the government of an individual state, such as the New York State Government |
| Delegated Powers | Powers directly stated in the Constitution that the federal government has |
| Reserved Powers | Powers that the Constitution leaves up to the individual states |
| Concurrent Powers | Powers shared by the federal and state governments |
| Federalists | Supporters of the Constitution and a larger, more powerful central government |
| Anti-Federalists | Opponents of the Constitution who wanted a smaller central government with more state power |
| Bill of Rights | The first ten amendments to the Constitution |
| Amendment | A change to the Constitution |
| First Amendment | 5 freedoms: Religion, Assembly, Press, Petition, Speech (RAPPS) |
| Second Amendment | Right to bear arms |
| Third Amendment | The government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of the owner |
| Fourth Amendment | Protects against unreasonable search and seizure |
| Fifth Amendment | Prohibits government from forcing individuals to testify against themselves. |
| Sixth Amendment | A constitutional amendment designed to protect individuals accused of crimes. It includes the right to an attorney, the right to confront witnesses, and the right to a speedy and public trial. |
| Seventh Amendment | Right to a trial by jury in civil cases |
| Eighth Amendment | No cruel and unusual punishment |
| Ninth Amendment | states that people's rights are not limited to just those listed in the Constitution. |
| Tenth Amendment | Amendment stating that the powers not given to the federal government are left up to the states |
Created by:
MrsJungOMS
Popular American Government sets