AP gov constitution jigsaw Flashcards

To state that they are making a new government that is served better by the Constitution than the Articles of Confederation. It outlines the fundamental purpose and guiding principles of the document.

Rep: 2 year term

Senators: 6 years term

Rep: 25 y/o, 7 years of citizenship, resident of the state

Senator: 30 y/o, 9 years of citizenship, resident of the state

Solely the House of Representatives has the power to impeach. Impeachment- power to accuse officials of offenses like treason, bribery, and other serious crimes/ misdemeanors. A simple majority vote is required in the House to impeach.

The Senate holds the trial. The Chief Justice presides over the trial. Conviction required ⅔ of those present at the trial.

If convicted, the official is removed from office and may also be disqualified from running again in the future. They may also be subject to criminal persecution.

The Vice President

Quorum is the minimum number of members required to be present for Congress to conduct business. It is the basic majority of the members. Without a quorum, both the House and the Senate cannot officially pass laws or take other actions

1. Passes in the Congress
2. President says yes: law passes
3. President vetos: law is sent back to the house. Bill can either be discarded or edited OR Congress can override the veto with a ⅔ vote.

The US Treasury aka the federal government

Power to lay taxes, duties, imposts, excises, pay debts + provide for defence + welfare of US, borrow money on credit, regulate commerce w/ other countries + domestically + with native american tribes, rule of naturalization, coin money, fix standard of weights + measures, punish counterfeiting, establish post offices + post roads, copyright laws, creation of federal court system (not the supreme court), punish piracies+felonies, declare war, raise armies, make laws

Copyright: Protects original works of authorship (e.g., books, music, artwork). It gives the creator exclusive rights to use, distribute, and modify their work. Lasts life of the author/composer plus 50 years. Patent: Protects new inventions, granting the inventor exclusive rights to produce, sell, and use the invention. A utility patent lasts for three and a half to seventeen years.

Grants no specific powers and thus can be stretched and used in different circumstances. This allows for congress to adapt a government to changing needs and times.

Congress accountable to how it spends the public’s money, could not pass laws to prohibit slave trade until at least 1808, can’t pass laws that declare people guilty (only courts can), can’t pass laws that punish person tomorrow for something that was legal today, can’t directly tax individuals (like income taxes), can’t tax goods that are exported from states, can’t favor a state over another, can’t give individuals special privileges based on their heredity, can’t accept gifts from foreign nations (except min value gifts)

Bill of Attainder: A law that punishes an individual or group without a trial. Ex Post Facto Law: A law that retroactively makes an action illegal or increases the penalties for a crime after it has been committed.

Congress may not treat different ports within the United States differently in terms of taxing and commerce powers. They are also not allowed to tax goods sent from one state to another. They also are not allowed to give one state’s port legal advantage over those of another state.

Entering into treaties, alliances, or confederations; coining money; imposing duties on imports or exports (without Congress’s consent); keeping troops or ships of war in times of peace; engaging in war unless actually invaded.

4 years

Electors are also known as the “electoral college” the number is equal to number of senators + representatives that state has in congress

35 yrs, natural-born US citizen, resident of US for past 14 years

Inauguration: formal ceremony where the president takes the Oath of Office. Marks official beginning of presidential term.

Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces: control over the military. Treaty power: negotiate treaties with other nations, but they must be ratified by a two-thirds vote in the Senate. Appointment Power: appoint federal judges, ambassadors, and other public officials, with the "advice and consent" of the Senate. Pardon Power: grant pardons and reprieves for federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment. Veto Power: veto legislation passed by Congress, which serves as a check on the legislative branch.

Power to make treaties with foreign governments (with the approval of the senate by a two-thirds vote) Powers to appoint ambassadors, supreme court justices, and other government officials. Most of which require senate approval. He also has the power to appoint temporary officials to fill vacant federal offices without Senate approval if the congress is not in session. Such

Reports on the state of the union to Congress, recommend legislative measures, and proposes a federal budget.

Treason, bribery, other high crimes and misdemeanors.

High crimes and misdemeanors are not clear because there was not a national crime code at the time the Constitution was made.

One Supreme Court and other inferior courts (Court of Appeals, District Courts, Specialty Courts)

Cases under federal jurisdiction are the ones that concern the meaning of the US Constitution, all federal laws, and treaties. They also take on cases involving citizens of different states and citizens of different nations.

Cases in which lower federal courts appeal, as well as cases involving foreign diplomats + where states are a party

Treason is waging war on the US government and aiding their enemies. The Supreme Court decides their punishment. Needs at least two witnesses

Punishment for treason: min 5 years in prison and/or 10,000 fine to a maximum of death

All federal crimes, except in cases of impeachment, must be tried by a jury. The trial must take place in the state where the crime was committed. If a crime happens outside any state’s jurisdiction (like in international waters), Congress determines where the trial will be held.

The Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it, and treaties made under the authority of the U.S. are the supreme law of the land. Can’t deny someone qualification to office based on their religion

States have to recognize each other’s laws and rulings, and contracts are inter-state.

A citizen of a state has the same rights and privileges as the citizens of another state in which he or she happens to be.

Any person accused of a crime who flees to another state must be returned to the state where the crime occurred.

Congress admits new states, but no state can be created from parts of others without consent from the affected states and Congress.

They have to protect the states against foreign invasion, help with domestic violence upon request, ensure a republican form of government

Proposed: Either by a two-thirds vote in Congress or a convention called by two-thirds of state legislatures. Ratified: By three-fourths of state legislatures or conventions in three-fourths of the states.

The government’s power to take private property for public use, with compensation to the owner (5th Amendment).

The 3rd Amendment's prohibition against housing soldiers in private homes without the owner's consent during peacetime.

Protection from being forced to testify against oneself in a criminal case (5th Amendment).

A legal document issued by a judge allowing police to conduct a search or make an arrest (4th Amendment).

The legal requirement that the government must respect all legal rights owed to a person (5th and 14th Amendments).

Refers to personal documents and belongings protected against unreasonable searches and seizures (4th Amendment).

Money or property given as a guarantee that an accused person will return for trial; excessive bail is prohibited (8th Amendment).

A group of citizens who determine whether there is enough evidence for a trial (5th Amendment).

A jury that is unbiased and neutral, crucial to a fair trial (6th Amendment).

The act of looking for evidence of a crime, typically requiring a warrant (4th Amendment).

The act of taking possession of evidence or property by law enforcement (4th Amendment).

Powers not delegated to the federal government are reserved for the states or the people (10th Amendment).

The right to gather peacefully for protests or meetings, protected under the 1st Amendment.

Freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petition.

Right to keep and bear arms.

Protection against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Protection against self-incrimination, double jeopardy, and guarantees due process.

Right to a fair, speedy, and public trial by an impartial jury, with legal counsel.

Protection against excessive bail, fines, and cruel and unusual punishment

Powers not given to the federal government are reserved to the states or the people.