History Vocab Words

plaintiff and defendant

the constitutional question the court is answering

what happened in the case

the law applied by the court for the holding

how the court applied the rule

the legal conclusion

petition to the Supreme Court to review a lower court's decision

decide a case by a law that has previously ruled, a precedent

exchange of legal information so that both sides can find out and know the facts of a case

a change or addition to a law

government's powers only include ones stated by the Constitution

the part of a government that makes laws

each branch of government can "check," or limit, the power of the other branches

a section of a legal document or agreement

a document's introduction that states its purpose

a person who supported Federalism and the adoption of the U.S. Constitution

The part of a government that interprets laws

the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution; it includes a list of citizens' freedoms and rights as well as the limits of the government's power

a person who was against the adoption of the U.S. constitution

to offically approve something

a deal between two groups in which both sides give up somethings they want

the government is divided into branches. Each branch has seperate and independent powers

the part of a government that enforces laws

the amount of time a position can be held

a meeting where people gather together for a common purpose

when the government's power comes from the consent of the people; if thee government goes against the will of the people, then they have the right to change the government

a set of rules outlining what a government can and cannot do

a form of government where citizens are represented by elected officials

leader of the House of Representatives

435 members based on population that serve two-year terms, one of the two chambers

party leaders who ensure that members of the party vote according to party lines

upper chamber of Congress with 100 members (two from each state) that serve six-year terms

subgroups within Congress that handle specific topics of legislation

second-highest executive officer and leader of Senate, takes over office if president can't serve

head of state and government, executes laws and oversees national policy

leader of the majority party in House or Senate, manages party strategy, scheduling debates, sets agenda, and monitors the legislative process

the leader of the minoirty party in Congress, deteremine rules for pieces of legislation, use delaying tactics to "gum up" legislation to win concession

group of members within a party that share a common interest

procedural tactic used in the Senate to delay or block legislation by extending debate

Bill is proposed, debated, voted on, and if passed, sent to the other chamber to be approved, and then the president if approved there

proposed legislation that Congress debates and votes on

administrative agencies and departments that implement federal laws

states that operate independently of federal control in policy areass

authority of a course to hear and rule on cases

reviewing decisions made by a lower court

authority of a court to hear a case for the first time

act of attempting to influence legislation or policy by contacting lawmakers

periods of time where govvernment bodies or courts aren't in session

courts dealing with cases involving federal law or disputes between states

courts that handle most criminal and civil cases

determine whether actions of legislative and executive branch are unconstitutional or not

freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition

right to keep and bear arms

no quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent

protects against unreasonable search and seizures without warrant

serious crimes addressed by a jury, can't be charged with the same offense twice, right to not self-incriminate

right to a speedy fair trial by an impartial jury, right to know what you're bieng charged with, provision of an attorney, and right to cross-examine witnesses

right to trial by jury in civil court cases

protection against cruel and unusual punishments along with excessive bail

people have many more rights than the ones mentioned in the Constitution

power not delegated to the federal government is reserved to the states or the people

prohibits one state from suing another

president and vice president are now voted for separately, both have the same eligibility requirement, House picks from top three if no majority

slavery is abolished, can still be used as criminal punishment

grants former slaves US citizenship, 3/5ths rule removed, right to due process, lets states refuse to not help pay off debt incurred due to rebellion

can't deny right to vote based on race

Congress is able to levy income taxes

establishes direct election of Senators by popular vote

prohibits importation, exportation, and manufacturing of alcoholic beverages

right to vote can't be denied based on gender

president and vice-president terms begin on Jan 30 and Congresss starts Jan 3

18th Amendment is repealed

limit of serving as president for two terms at max is established

DC is given electors in the Electoral College

poll taxes for federal elections prohibited

clarifies procedures for presidential sucession and disability

voting age requirement lowered to 18

Congressional pay raises are delayed to the next term

creates Congress, the House and Senate, gives them power to make laws, tax, declare war, and regulate commerce, outlines the qualifications required and how members will be selected, establishes legislation process

establishes executive branch led by a President, they enforce laws, command the military, and conduct foreign policy, how president is to be elected through Electoral College, allows president to make treaties and grant pardons (Senate approval) and how to impeach and remove a President

judicial branch led by Supreme Court, courts are able to hear cases involving federal law, disputes between states, and US government, judges can only be removed by impeachment, defines treason as going to war against the US or giving aid to enemies

states must recognize each others laws, citizens of one state have the same rights as those in another, allows creation of new states to be admitted into Union, guarantees that the federal gov will protect states from invasion/domestic violence

describes how to amend the Constitution, have to be approved by 2/3s of Congress or a national convention where 2/3s of states agree, then have to be ratified by 3/4s of states

declares Constitution as supreme law of the land, judges must follow federal law even if state law disagrees, no religiouis tests for office are allowed, ensures new government will pay debts of previous one

ratification of the Constitution