Unit 1 American Government Study Guide – Flashcards
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democracy
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a form of government where the people have sovern power, electing represenetaves who provide them with protection and security.
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dictatorship
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a form of government where one person or small group has full power over all people and land. usually self appointed with strict laws. ex: north korea, china
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unitary
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a form of government where all power belongs to one central agency
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federal
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a form of government where powers are divided between a central government and several local governments. ex: usa
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confederation
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a joining of several groups for a common purpose
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presidential
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a form of government where executive and legislative branches are separate, independent, and equal
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parlimentary
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a form of government in which the executive branch is made of a prime minister and the officials cabinet. ex: uk
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limited government
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government is restricted in what they do; each individual has rights
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representative government
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system where public policies are made by officials and selected by voters
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magna carta
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charter forced upon king john of england establishing the fact the power of the monarchy was not absolute
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petition of right
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signed by king charles in 1628; challenged the idea of the devine rights of the king and declared the monarch was subject to the laws of the land
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charter
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a cities basic law, its constitution; a written grant of authority from the king
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bicameral
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a legislative body with 2 chambers
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unicameral
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a legislative body with one chamber
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proprietary
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organized by a proprietor (a person who got a grant from a king)
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delegated powers
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powers granted to federal government by the constitution
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boycott
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refusal to buy or sell certain products or services
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repeal
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to recall
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popular soverignty
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basic principle of american government which asserts that the government can only exist with the consent of the governed
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articles of confederation
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plan of government adopted by americas continental congress at first establishing "friendship" between the states, as well as still keeping them divided and separate
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ratification
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formal approval, final consent to efficiency of a constitution
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framers
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group of delegates who attended the philadelphia constitutional convention
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virginia plan
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plan for a new government with representatives from each state by population
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new jersey plan
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plan for a new government with equal congress represenatives
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connecticut compromise
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compromise with 2 seperate houses: house of represenatives and senate
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three fifths compromise
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all free people counted as one, 3 out of every 5 slaves counted
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federalists
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those persons who supported the ratification of the constitution
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anti-federalists
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those persons who did not support ratification of constitution until a bill of rights was added
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quorum
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least # of members who must be present in a legislative body to conduct business
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shays rebellion
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series of protests in 1786-1787 by american farmers against state and local enforcement of tax collections
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preamble
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short, noteworthy introduction in a piece of writing
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articles
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several numbered sections
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constitutionalism
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principle that government and those who govern must obey the law; the rule of law
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separation of powers
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executive, legislative, and judicial branches are all spread equally
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veto
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to reject
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checks and balances
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each branch of government is subject to checks(restraints) by other branches
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judicial review
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the power of courts to determine whether what the government does is in accord with what the constitution provides
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unconstitutional
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a governmental action seen to violate the constitution
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federalism
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the division of power among central government and several regional governments
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amendment
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a change in or addition to a constitution or law
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bill of rights
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first 10 amendments made to the constitution protecting your rights
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executive agreement
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pact made by president directly in front of a foreign state
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treaty
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formal agreement between 2 or more sovereign states
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electoral college
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the group that makes the formal selection of the nations president
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cabinet
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an advisory body to the president
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six principles of the constitution
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popular sovereignty, limited government, separation of powers, checks and balances, judicial review, and federalism
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express powers
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powers stated directly from the constitution
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implied powers
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power indirectly said from the governments
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inherent power
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powers from the fact that you are a free person
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reserved powers
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powers of the state
