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American Civics
Covers: A Tradition of Democracy, United States Constitution, Bill of Rights, Federal Government- Legislative, Judicial and Executive Branches, and Court Cases
95
History
11th Grade
08/01/2011

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Cards

Term
Declaration of Independence
Definition
states the reasons why colonists wanted freedom from Great Britain
Term
Articles of Confederation
Definition
1st law of the states establishing a loose association
Term
Naturalization
Definition
legal process by which an alien becomes a citizen
Term
Federalist Papers
Definition
published to persuade people to ratify the Constitution
Term
Federalism
Definition
separation of powers between nation and state
Term
Bicameralism
Definition
law making body consisting of 2 parts
Term
Socialism
Definition
government ownership of the economy to promote equality
Term
Theocracy
Definition
government rule through religious values
Term
Monarchy
Definition
control by Kings/Queens with absolute power
Term
Federalists
Definition
supporters of the Constitution
Term
Anti-Federalists
Definition
those who are against the Constitution
Term
Republic
Definition
rule through elected representatives
Term
Great Compromise
Definition
compromise to form a bicameral legislature
Term
Totalitarian
Definition
dictatorship limiting the freedom of the people
Term
Anarchy
Definition
no government / no rule
Term
Anarchy
Definition
no government / no rule
Term
Democracy
Definition
power of the government lies in the hands of the people
Term
Due Process
Definition
everyone is entitled to fair application of the law
Term
Safety Net
Definition
set of government programs to provide for the people
Term
Delegated Powers
Definition
specific powers given to the government from the Constitution
Term
Concurrent Powers
Definition
powers shared by the state and federal government
Term
Reserved Powers
Definition
powers set aside for state/local governments
Term
Popular Sovereignty
Definition
government formed by the consent of those governed
Term
Preamble
Definition
introduction explaining why the Constitution was written
Term
Bill of Rights
Definition
first 10 amendments of the Constitution
Term
Checks and Balances
Definition
each branch of government can limit the power of the other 2 branches
Term
Supremacy Clause
Definition
federal government takes precedence of the state government
Term
Limited Government
Definition
government with defined restrictions of its power
Term
Petition
Definition
right to ask the government for action
Term
Grand Jury
Definition
group that hears evidence to determine if it should go to trial
Term
Separation of Church and State
Definition
strict division between government and religion
Term
Clear and Present Danger Rule
Definition
if an act of free speech can be linked to an unlawful act, the the government has the power to prevent it
Term
Indict
Definition
to be formally accused
Term
Eminent Domain
Definition
government has the right to seize property as long as it pays a just price for compensation
Term
Exclusionary Rule
Definition
evidence that is illegally obtained can't be used in court
Term
Double-Jeopardy
Definition
cannot be tried twice for the same crime
Term
Self-Incrimination
Definition
testifying aginst one's self
Term
Double-Jeopardy
Definition
cannot be tried twice for the same crime
Term
Slander
Definition
speaking false statements
Term
Libel
Definition
publishing false statements
Term
Bail
Definition
collateral given to the courts to ensure the accused shows up for trail
Term
Speaker of the House
Definition
presides over the House of Representatives
Term
Caucus
Definition
party only meeting to plan political strategy
Term
President Pro Temp ore
Definition
presides over the Senate when the Vice President is gone
Term
Congress
Definition
House of Representatives and Senate
Term
Congress
Definition
House of Representatives and Senate
Term
Minority Leader
Definition
floor leader of the political party in power
Term
House of Representatives
Definition
435 representatives based on population
Term
Joint Session
Definition
meeting of both houses in Congress
Term
Senate
Definition
100 representatives - 2 from each state
Term
Majority Leader
Definition
floor leader of the political party in power
Term
Gerrymandering
Definition
drawing district lines to fulfill a political agenda
Term
Party Whip
Definition
pursuade member voting in Congress / assist the floor leader
Term
Bill
Definition
proposed law
Term
Elastic Clause
Definition
allows Congress to stretch its delegated powers
Term
Committee Chair
Definition
leader in each committee
Term
Impeach
Definition
formally accuse a government official of a crime
Term
Pocket Veto
Definition
President holds onto a bill for 10 days
Term
Standing Committee
Definition
permanent committees of Congress
Term
Conference Committee
Definition
House/Senate committees that work together to find compromises on similar bills
Term
Implied Powers
Definition
powers Congress has claimed under the 'necessary and proper clause'
Term
Select Committee
Definition
committee to deal with unpredicted events
Term
House Calendar
Definition
lists the order in which bill have been reported from committee
Term
Cloture
Definition
time limit imposed in the Senate on speeches
Term
Habeas Corpus
Definition
right to appear in court
Term
Appropriation Bill
Definition
bill approving the spending of money
Term
Filibuster
Definition
taking a bill to death in the Senate
Term
Joint Chief of Staff
Definition
heads of the military used to counsel the President and Secretary of Defense
Term
Pardon
Definition
Presidential power to excuse some criminal offenses
Term
Reprieve
Definition
Presidential power to postpone a prison sentence
Term
War Powers Act
Definition
President must recall troops after 60 days unless given further consent from Congress
Term
Secretary of Treasury
Definition
promote economy, prosperity, and secure financial systems of the U.S.
Term
Commander in Chief
Definition
Presidential responsibility: military leader
Term
Legislative Leader
Definition
Presidential Responsibility: leader in creating laws
Term
Department of Homeland Security
Definition
department created in response to 9/11 to provide protection against terrorist threats
Term
Chief Diplomat
Definition
Presidential Responsibility: leader in conducting foreign policy
Term
Secretary of State
Definition
Clinton- leading diplomat abroad behind the president
Term
Attorney General
Definition
Holder- leader of the Justice Department and leading attorney of the United States in legal matters
Term
Administrative Laws
Definition
laws created by government agencies who rule through regulations
Term
Brief
Definition
written statement pleading one's side of the case to the Supreme Court
Term
Precedent
Definition
previous case guides the decision in a later case
Term
Opinion
Definition
written argument explaining the courts majority ruling
Term
Appellate
Definition
any court that hears the appeal from a lower court
Term
Electors
Definition
cast the official vote for the Presidency
Term
Hung Jury
Definition
cannot come up with a decision, resulting in a new trial
Term
Concurrent Opinion
Definition
written arguments agreeing with the majority for different reasons
Term
Statutory Laws
Definition
laws created by legislatures
Term
Electoral College
Definition
538 electors who select the President
Term
Common Laws
Definition
law coming from the decision of a judge
Term
Dissenting Opinion
Definition
written disagreement of the majority opinion
Term
Majority Rule
Definition
decision of more than half governed is accepted by all
Term
Constitutional Law
Definition
laws based on the Constitution or Supreme Court rulings
Term
Separate but Equal
Definition
segregation ruling of Plessy v Ferguson
Term
Popular Vote
Definition
individual vote of the citizens
Term
Judicial Review
Definition
courts have the power to determine law unconstitutional
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