| Term | Definition |
|---|
| arsenal | a weapons storehouse |
| federal system | a system of government in which the power to govern is shared by the national and the state governments |
| republic | a form of government in which the people elect representatives to run the government |
| compromise | to give up some of what you want in order to reach an agreement |
| bill | an idea for a new law |
| separation of powers | the division of powers among the three branches of the national governement |
| legislative branch | the branch of government that makes the laws |
| executive branch | the branch of government that has the power to enforce the laws |
| electoral college | a group chosen by citizens to vote for the President |
| veto | to reject |
| impeach | to accuse a government official of a crime |
| judicial branch | the court system, which is the brnachof government that decides whether laws are working fairly |
| justice | a judge |
| rule of law | the principle that every member of society, even a ruler, must follow the law |
| amendment | a change |
| ratify | to approve |
| Federalists | citizens who were in favor of ratifying the Constitution |
| Anti-Federalists | citizens who were against ratification of the Constitution |
| due process of law | the principle that guarantees that people have the right to a fair trial by jury |
| reserved powers | authority that belongs to the states or people |
| Cabinet | a group of the President's most important advisors |
| political party | a group that tries to elect officials who will support its policies |
| population density | the average number of people living in a certain area |
| checks and balances | a system that keeps each branch of government from becoming too powerful or misusing its authority |
| union | an alliance that works to reach common goals |
| popular sovereignty | the idea that government gets its power from the people |
| democracy | a form of government in which the people rule and are free to make choices about their lives and their governement |
| public agenda | what the people need and want from the government |
| suffrage | the right to vote |
| civic virtue | qualities that add to a healthy democracy |
| naturalization | the process of becoming a legal citizen of the United States |
Combine with other sets
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