Federalism
System of government where sovereignty is divided on the state and national level
Sovereignty
Final authority on a matter
Creator of theory of Separation of Powers
(Baron de) Montesquieu
Legislative Branch
Makes Laws
Judicial Branch
Interprets Laws
Executive Branch
Enforce Laws
Confederation
Loose alliance of strong states under a weak central government
Function of the U.S. Government
Establish Justice
Function of the U.S. Government
Ensure domestic tranquility
Houses of Congress
Senate and House of Representatives
Framers
Those who drafted the Constitution
Age requirement for House Rep.
25
Length of citizenship for House Rep.
7
Term of House Rep.
2
Elected Chairman for HR
Speaker of the House
Age requirement for Senate
30
Length of citizenship for Senate
9
Term of Senator
6
Bills that can only originate in the House of Rep.
Bills for raising revenue
President's power to check
veto
Fraction of House and Congress in order to pass a vetoed bill
2/3
Enumerated power of Congress
Power to tax
Enumerated power of Congress
Regulation of commerce
Enumerated power of Congress
Power to declare war
Enumerated power of Congress
Power to raise and fund armies
Purpose of "elastic" clause
Allows Congress to utilize the enumerated powers
Banned import in Article 1 Section 9
Slaves
Article 2 Branch of Government
Executive
Minimum age for presidency
35
Term of president
4
Equation for Electoral Votes
HR + S= EC
Vice President's Function
Tiebreaker if Congress is divided
Vice President's Function
Become President if current President is unable to carry out given duties
Important Presidential power
Command in Chief
"Advice and consent" of Congress is needed for
making treaties
"Advice and consent" of Congress is needed for
appointment of officials
Ground for impeachment
Treason
Ground for impeachment
Bribery
Ground for impeachment
High crimes and misdemeanors
Impeach
To formally charge
Article Four's topic
Division of sovereignty
Meaning of "full faith and credit" clause
States recognize other states' actions
Extradition
Offender sent back to state where offense took place
Provision for fugitive slaves
Returned to state from which they fled
Branch that regulates territories
Legislative Branch
Article Five's Topic
Amendments to the Constitution
Fraction needed for approval of an amendment
2/3 (of HR and Congress) then 3/4 (of state legislatures)
# of states needed to ratify original Constitution
9/13
Rights protected by the First Amendment
Religion, speech, press, assembly
Right protected by the Second Amendment
Right to bear arms
Reason for Third Amendment
Quartering Act
Rights protected by the Fourth Amendment
Protection from unreasonable searches and seizures
Sixth Amendment Rights
Rights to speedy trial, public trial, impartial jury, to trial by jury, trial in state charging you, knowing what you are being tried with, to "confront" the witness testifying against you, to call your own witnesses, and the right to an attorney
Rights protected by the Eighth Amendment
To not have an excessive bail
Are the rights listed in the Constitution the only rights we have?
No
Amendment 9
What Amendment answers that question?
Does the Constitution give us our rights?
No, it only protects the rights given to us by the Creator
