American Government
Mr. Bordelon
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Articles
Constitutionalism
Rule of law
Separation of
powers
Checks and
balances
Veto
Judicial review
federalism
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Amendments
Amendment
process
Bill of Rights
Executive
agreement
Treaties
Cabinet
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A governmental system in which the powers
of government are divided on a geographic
basis.
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A governmental system in which the powers
of government are divided on a geographic
basis.
◦ Federalism.
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The group that makes the formal selection of
the nation’s President.
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The group that makes the formal selection of
the nation’s President.
◦ Electoral college.
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The idea that government must conduct itself
in accordance with the principles of the
Constitution.
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The idea that government must conduct itself
in accordance with the principles of the
Constitution.
◦ Constitutionalism.
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The power of courts to determine the
constitutionality of a law or other
governmental action.
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The power of courts to determine the
constitutionality of a law or other
governmental action.
◦ Judicial review.
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A system by which one branch of government
can be restrained by one or both of the
branches.
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A system by which one branch of government
can be restrained by one or both of the
branches.
◦ Checks and balances.
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Under the principle of _____, the Federal
Government has three equal branches.
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Under the principle of _____, the Federal
Government has three equal branches.
◦ Separation of powers.
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The Constitution is divided into seven major
sections, called _____.
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The Constitution is divided into seven major
sections, called _____.
◦ Articles.
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The first ten amendments to the United
States Constitution are known as the _____.
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The first ten amendments to the United
States Constitution are known as the _____.
◦ Bill of Rights.
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_____ results in changes to the written words
of the Constitution.
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_____ results in changes to the written words
of the Constitution.
◦ Formal amendment.
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The principle of _____ states that government
must be bound by a fundamental law.
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The principle of _____ states that government
must be bound by a fundamental law.
◦ Rule of law.
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What are the six basic principles of the
Constitution?
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What are the six basic principles of the
Constitution?
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Popular sovereignty
Limited government
Checks and balances
Separation of powers
Judicial review
Federalism
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How are popular sovereignty and limited
government related?
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How are popular sovereignty and limited
government related?
◦ Popular sovereignty states that the people are the
source of all government power.
◦ Limited government states that the government can
do only those things that the people have given it
the power to do.
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What is the purpose of checks and balances?
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What is the purpose of checks and balances?
◦ To prevent one branch of government from having
too much power over the other branches.
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How can the judicial branch check the
legislative branch?
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How can the judicial branch check the
legislative branch?
◦ Judges may overturn a law when they decide that it
is unconstitutional.
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How can the executive branch check the
legislative branch?
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How can the executive branch check the
legislative branch?
◦ Presidents may veto legislation and call special
sessions.
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How many amendments have been added to
the Constitution?
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How many amendments have been added to
the Constitution?
◦ 27
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How does federalism apply in the amendment
process?
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How does federalism apply in the amendment
process?
◦ Federal government proposes and states ratify.
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Name one way the Constitution has been
changed by informal amendment.
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Name one way the Constitution has been
changed by informal amendment.
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Passage of basic legislation by Congress
Actions taken by the President
Key decisions of the Supreme Court
Activities of political parties
Custom
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How has Congress contributed to the process
of constitutional change and development?
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How has Congress contributed to the process
of constitutional change and development?
◦ By passing laws that fill out the provisions of the
Constitution and laws that expand congressional
power.
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Name one example of the exercise of
presidential power that show the
constitutional change by informal
amendment.
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Name one example of the exercise of
presidential power that show the
constitutional change by informal
amendment.
◦ Use armed forces as commander in chief (without
congressional declaration of war; think emergency
defense).
◦ Executive agreements.
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Name one way in which custom has affected
the constitution.
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Name one way in which custom has affected
the constitution.
◦ Cabinet
◦ Third-terms
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What is a treaty? What is an executive
agreement?
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What is a treaty? What is an executive
agreement?
◦ An executive agreement is a pact made by the
President directly with the head of a foreign state.
◦ A treaty is a binding international agreement that
requires the Senate to ratify/agree/consent.
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Amendments!