A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Process of redrawing legislative boundaries for the purpose of benefiting the party in power.

Introduction to the Constitution

We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president. Each state gets the number of electors that equals the representatives plus senators

the power to make laws

the power to interpret laws

Power to enforce laws

A voluntary agreement between the government and the people; people agree to give up some rights for safety and protection

obeying the laws, serving on a jury or as a witness

Freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly, and Petition

Right to keep and bear arms

No quartering of soldiers

Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures

The Right to Remain Silent/Double Jeopardy, right to due process

The right to a Speedy Trial by jury, representation by an attorney for an accused person

Right to jury in civil trials.

No cruel or unusual punishment

Citizens entitled to rights not listed in the Constitution

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.

The first ten amendments to the Constitution

group of officials who head government departments and advise the President

the order in which the office of president is to be filled if it becomes vacant; vice president takes over first

Author of the Declaration of Independence

King of England during the American Revolution; many grievances were listed in the Declaration of Independence regarding his treatment of the colonies

A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War; had NO executive or judicial branch and no power to tax. Was replaced by the Constitution

Legislative, Executive, Judicial, State & territories, Amendments, Supremacy of the federal government, ratification (LEJSASR)

consisting of a different number of representatives from each state, depending on population; total of 435

100 total; 2 from each state (equal representation)

preserve, protect, and defend constitution of United States of America

Allows the court to determine the constitutionality of laws; Marbury V. Madison decided

The authority of a court to hear a case; where (state or federal) when (original or appellate)

The jurisdiction of courts that hear cases brought to them on appeal from lower courts. These courts do not review the factual record, only the legal issues involved.

a case involving someone who is accused of committing an illegal activity

A case involving a noncriminal matter such as a contract dispute or a claim of patent infringement

Supreme law of the land

1. runs executive branch 2. commander and cheif or military 3. makes treaties 4. appoints government officials 5. Vetos laws 6. cangrant pardon to people convicted of crimes

4 years, 2 terms

2 year terms

6 year terms

A form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority.

government by the people

A government ruled by a king or queen

Power to make laws, lay and collect taxes, impeach and remove officials, declare war, raise and support military, override vetoes, establish lower federal courts, confirm appointments, and ratify treaties

A form of government in which powers are divided between a central government and several local governments.

A centralized government in which all government powers belong to a single, central agency.

a form of government in which several states join together for a common purpose

the official count of a population every 10 years that impacts the legislative districts and representation in the House

A meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that produced a new constitution

a presidential candidate to win or lose all the Electoral votes allocated to a state if they win the majority of the popular vote; only Maine and Nebraska are not winner takes all

the course of action the government takes in response to an issue or problem example: healthcare, the environment