American Politics and the US Constitution - C963 WGU

American Politics and the US Constitution - C963 WGU 10 studiers in 3 days 4.6 (62 reviews) Students also studied Terms in this set (548) Western Governors UniversityC 963 Save Pre-Assessment WGU American Poli...60 terms Abby_Laing17 Preview The 27 Amendments Study Guide 27 terms SachiThePandaGirl Preview All Amendments 27 terms XbLCookiePreview Americ 71 terms HM natrual rightsLife, Liberty, and Property John Locke17th century English philosopher who opposed the Divine Right of Kings and who asserted that people have a natural right to life, liberty, and property.State of NatureHypothetical condition assumed to exist in the absence of government where human beings live in "complete" freedom and general equality.Due Processinvolves the government's obligation to treat all citizens fairly. Such a requirement lessens the extent to which government power can be exercised over the individual, making the power differential between the two more fair, and ensuring a general sense of political equality Social ContractA voluntary agreement among individuals to secure their rights and welfare by creating a government and abiding by its rules.Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679)One of the first individuals to contribute to the idea of the social contract was a pre-Enlightenment English philosopher Leviathan (1651): Thomas HobbesHobbes argues that society is not something natural and immutable, but rather it is something created by us.Labor Movementthe formation of labor unions, during the 1880's, for the workers to receive better treatment by ConstitutionA document which spells out the principles by which a government runs and the fundamental laws that govern a society

Bill of RightsThe first ten amendments to the Constitution Declaration of Independencethe document recording the proclamation of the second Continental Congress (4 July 1776) asserting the independence of the colonies from Great Britain Thomas JeffersonWrote the Declaration of Independence Shays's Rebellion (1786-1787)which almost resulted in potential mob rule, suggested there might be too much democracy at play, and that maybe individual liberty was going too far Articles of ConfederationA weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War.Federalist no. 51Argues that separation of powers within the national government is the best way to prevent the concentration of power in the hands of one person or a single group.First AmendmentCongress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.Second AmendmentRight to keep and bear arms Third AmendmentThe government may not house soldiers in private homes without consent of the owner Forth AmendmentIt protects people against unfair searches of their homes; search and seizure.Fifth AmendmentA constitutional amendment designed to protect the rights of persons accused of crimes, including protection against double jeopardy, self-incrimination, and punishment without due process of law.Sixth AmendmentRight to a speedy and public trial Seventh AmendmentRight to a trial by jury in civil cases Eighth AmendmentNo cruel and unusual punishment Nineth Amendmentpeoples rights are not just limited to those listed in the Constitution and Bill of Rights Tenth AmendmentAmendment stating that the powers not delegated to the federal gov. are reserved to the states bicameral legislatureA law making body made of two houses (bi means 2). Example: Congress (our legislature) is made of two house - The House of Representatives and The Senate.House of Representativesthe lower house of Congress, consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population

New Jersey PlanProposal to create a weak national government Virginia PlanProposal to create a strong national government Constitutional ConventionMeeting in 1787 of the elected representatives of the thirteen original states to write the Constitution of the United States.unicameral legislatureOne-house legislature Three-Fifths CompromiseAgreement that each slave counted as three-fifths of a person in determining representation in the House for representation and taxation purposes (negated by the 13th amendment) Checks and BalancesA system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power Separation of PowersConstitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law federal systemA government that divides the powers of government between the national government and state or provincial governments enumerated powersThe powers explicitly given to Congress in the Constitution.reserved powersPowers given to the state government alone FederalistsSupporters of the Constitution that were led by Alexander Hamilton and John Adams. They firmly believed the national government should be strong. They didn't want the Bill of Rights because they felt citizens' rights were already well protected by the Constitution.Anti-FederalistsOpponents of the American Constitution at the time when the states were contemplating its adoption.RatificationFormal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty RepublicA form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting Habeas CorpusConstitutional protection against unlawful imprisonment Federalist PapersA collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name "Publius" to defend the Constitution in detail.Federalist No. 10An essay composed by James Madison which argues that liberty is safest in a large republic because many interests (factions) exist. Such diversity makes tyranny by the majority more difficult since ruling coalitions will always be unstable.

Legislative Branch (Congress)makes laws, imposes taxes, and declares war Judicial Branch (Supreme Court)interprets the constitution and other laws, reviews lower-court decisions Executive Branch (President)has the power to enforce the law Executive OrdersFormal orders issued by the president to direct action by the federal bureaucracy.checks on the executive branchBy Congress Can override a presidential veto by a two-thirds vote in both chambers Must approve treaties by a two-thirds vote in the Senate Control of funding activities of the executive branch Presidential nominees must be approved by the Senate Only Congress can declare war House can impeach the president or vice president and the Senate can remove them by a two-thirds vote By Judiciary Can overturn actions of the president with judicial review if the actions violate the Constitution Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary Checks on CongressBy President Can veto legislation Can use executive agreements Can use executive orders Negotiates treaties (not Congress) By Judiciary Can overturn acts of Congress as unconstitutional if they violate the law Can influence laws by interpretation Serve during good behavior to maintain independence of judiciary Checks on JudiciaryBy President Nominates judges Power of pardon By Congress Senate must approve judges and justices Controls jurisdiction of the courts Determines size of Supreme Court House can impeach judges and Senate can remove them by two-thirds vote federalist systempolitical powers are divided between national and state levels in an effort to avoid concentrating control in the hands of one person Equal Rights Amendment (ERA)Proposed the 27th Amendment, calling for equal rights for both sexes. Defeated in the House in 1972.