We the People Unit 3-5

writ of habeas corpus

A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person

U.S. Constitution

A document that embodies the fundamental laws and principles by which the United States is governed.

Government corporations

A government agency that operates like a business corporation, created to secure greater freedom of action and flexibility for a particular program.

Department of Homeland Security

Cabinet department created after the 9/11 terrorist attacks to coordinate domestic security efforts

Veto

Chief executive's power to reject a bill passed by a legislature

Separation of Powers

Constitutional 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

Marbury v. Madison

Established judicial review

Supremacy Clause

Federal law is supreme over state law

3/5 clause

Slaves counted as 3/5 person for representation and taxation purposes

majority opinion

a statement that presents the views of the majority of supreme court justices regarding a case

The Great Compromise

agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation

Necessary and Proper Clause

constitutional authorization for Congress to make any law required to carry out its powers

appellate courts

courts that do not try criminal cases but hear appeals of decisions of lower courts

Legislative Leaders

elected officials balancing long term goals with short term results, and individual citizen's desires with what they see as best for the overall community

Judiciary Act of 1789

legislation passed by Congress that created the federal court system

Judicial Review

review by the US Supreme Court of the constitutional validity of a legislative act.

Fugitive slave clause

slaves who escaped to other states must be returned to their owners

original jurisdiction

the authority to hear cases for the first time

Executive Branch

the branch of government that carries out laws

Judicial Branch

the branch of government that interprets laws

Legislative Branch

the branch of government that makes the laws

Framers

the group of delegates who attended the Philadelphia Convention

supreme court

the highest federal court in the United States

district courts

the lowest federal courts; federal trials can be held only here

Jurisdiction

the official power to make legal decisions and judgments.

Federal System

the sharing of power between the central and state governments

concurring opinion

a signed opinion in which one or more members agree with the majority view but for different reasons

Ratify

(v.) to approve, give formal approval to, confirm

Virginia vs. New Jersey Plans

A large state plan to change government to a bicameral legislature (2 parts, number of representatives in each part determined by population size). Gives large states more representatives. vs. Called the "small state plan", which called for each state to have an equal number of representatives with only one vote and gave congress the power to tax. The small states threaten to leave if the Virginia plan is passed.

Tariff

A tax on imported goods

Cabinet

Advisory council for the president consisting of the heads of the executive departments, the vice president, and a few other officials selected by the president.

Legislative qualifications and terms

Age, US residency, etc. House Reps - 2 years, Senators - 6 years

dissenting opinion

An opinion disagreeing with a majority in a Supreme Court ruling.

appellate jurisdiction

Authority of court to review a decision of a lower court or administrative agency.

Anti-Federalists vs. Federalists

Believed in a strong central government. They promised the anti-federalists they would add a BILL OF RIGHTS, the first 10 amendments to the constitution, to the constitution. vs. Feared states would lose too much power. Once the BILL OF RIGHTS was added, they gave their support to the federalists.

How a Bill becomes a Law

Bill is introduced in either house; sent to committee to be approved, rewritten, or killed; sent to the floor for debate and vote; sent to the other chamber for the same process; both houses pass the revised bill; sent to president for approval; president signs, (or, if vetoed, must have 2/3 vote of both houses to override); bill becomes a law

general welfare clause

Gives Congress the power to tax to provide for the general welfare

enumerated powers

Powers given to the national government alone

Executive Orders

Regulations originating with the executive branch. Executive orders are one method presidents can use to control the bureaucracy.

Philadelphia Convention (Constitutional convention)

The convention in which a new constitution, abolishing the previous one.

proportional representation

The idea that each state should have seats based on population in Congress.

equal representation

The idea that each state should have the same number of representatives in Congress.

Impeach

To formally charge a public official with misconduct in office

Role of Committees, Sub-committees

To look over certain types of laws

Electoral College

a body of people representing the states of the US, who formally cast votes for the election of the president and vice president.

Bill of attainder

a law that declares a person, without a trial, to be guilty of a crime

ex post facto law

a law that makes an act criminal although the act was legal when it was committed