KEY TERMS Key Terms and People to Know for the Regents Exam
US GOVERNMENT KEY TERMS Key Terms from US Govt to Know for the Regents Exam
Constitutional Convention of 1787
The framers of the Constitution held this convention to revise the Articles of Confederation and create a new governing document that would establish a stronger national government. Determining state representation was a major issue.
Great Compromise
Created a bicameral (two house) Congress with a Senate (equal representation, which makes small states like New Jersey happy) andHouse of Representatives (Representation based on population, which makes big states like Virginia happy). This solved a dispute over representation in the government.
Three-Fifths Compromise
This compromise resolved a conflict over the counting of enslaved persons for representation in the House of Representatives. Slaves were counted as 3/5 of a person, which gave more representation to Southern states because they had more slaves.
US Constitution
The Constitution (ratified in 1789) is the “supreme law of the land” and its text describes the structure, responsibilities, and limits of the government. It has been amended (changed) just 27 times in over 200 years.
Magna Carta / English Bill of Rights
The Magna Carta (an English document limiting the power of the King) and English Bill of Rights were significant influences on United States constitutional development because they placed limits on the powers of the government.
Federalism
Federalism is a principle of government that divides power between the central government (also know as the national or federal government) and state govts. National = President, State = Governor, Local = Mayor.
Delegated / Reserved / Concurrent Powers
Under federalism, delegated powers are given to the national govt (military, printing $), reserved powers are kept by the states (marriage, education, elections), and concurrent powers are shared (taxes, law enforcement).
Checks and Balances / Separation of Powers
The Constitution separates power between the three branches and gives each branch some power over the others so that no one branch gains too much power or control of government.
Legislative Branch / Congress
Makes the laws. Congress consists of the Senate (2 Senators per state) and the House of Reps (based on population). Congress’ checks and balances powers include: overriding a veto, approving treaties, approving SC justices, and impeaching government officials.
“Necessary and Proper” / Elastic Clause
The elastic clause of the Constitution gives Congress the power to “make all laws which shall be necessary and proper” for carrying out its duty of regulating interstate commerce. This allows Congress to expand its power.
Lobbying
Lobbying is best defined as petitioning (asking) Congress to enact specific laws. An example of lobbying would be an environmental group trying to persuade Congress to vote for the Clean Air Act, or a business asking Congress to reduce corporate taxes.
Executive Branch / President
Enforces the laws. The president is commander in chief of the military, but is also the chief diplomat, and sometimes the chief legislator. The president’s checks and balances powers include: vetoing laws and appointing Supreme Court justices.
Electoral College
To win a presidential election, a candidate must win a majority of the Electoral College vote. A major criticism of the Electoral College system has been that a president may be elected without receiving the majority of the popular vote.
Judicial Branch / Supreme Court
Interprets the laws. The Supreme Court (which consists of 9 justices) can check and balance the other branches by reviewing and overturning laws and actions that are unconstitutional. The Court’s checks and balances power is known as judicial review.
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution are known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights was added to the Constitution to ensure that individual rights are protected. First Amendment: Freedom of speech, religion, the press, assembly.
Amendment Process
The Amendment process was included in the Constitution to allow for change over time. An amendment requires support from 2/3 of Congress and 3/4 of the states.
Unwritten Constitution
The unwritten constitution is best defined as the practices of the government that are based on custom and tradition. Examples of the Unwritten Constitution include: presidential cabinet, political parties, and judicial review.
Constitutional Flexibility
The necessary and proper clause, the amendment process, the unwritten constitution, and judicial review are evidence that our constitutional system of government provides for flexibility and change over time.