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Constitution

Terms in this set (36)

Legislative Branch
Makes laws
Executive Branch
Enforces laws
Judicial Branch
Interprets laws
Supreme Court
USA's highest court; part of the Judicial Branch
Article 1
Establishes Legislative Branch
Article 2
Establishes Executive Branch
Article 3
Establishes Judicial Branch
Amendment
Change to the Constitution
Bill
A proposed law
Bill of Rights
Written list of freedoms that a government promises to protect (1st 10 amendments to the Constitution)
Law
A passed bill. A rule that must legally be followed.
Judicial Review
Principle that the Supreme Court has the right to decide whether a law is constitutional or not.
Popular Sovereignty
The idea that the people are the source of the government's power.
3/5 Compromise
The compromise between states with large amounts of slaves and small amounts (or no) slaves, which counted slaves as 3/5 of a person toward a state's population for representation.
Great Compromise
The compromise between large and small states, which combined the Virginia and New Jersey plans to decide the issue of representation.
Limited Government
The idea that a government only has only powers given to it by the Constitution.
Checks and Balances
Each branch of government has the power to check, or limit, the power of the other two branches.
Federalism
The division of power between the federal government and states.
Individual Rights
Personal liberties that all people have, protected by the Constitution.
Veto
The President's power to "say no" to a law passed by Congress.
Congress
The group of people that make up the Legislative Branch in the United States. It contains 2 houses: the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Preamble
The introduction to the Constitution, which establishes its goals and purpose.
Articles
The main body of the Constitution, divided into seven sections.
What does Congress do?
It makes laws.
Which part of the government can tax?
Legislative Branch (Congress)
Which part of the government can declare war?
Legislative Branch (Congress)
Which part of the government can veto bills?
Executive Branch (President)
Cabinet
The President's group of advisors
Virginia Plan
Proposed by James Madison, suggested a bicameral (2-house) Congress based on representation.
New Jersey Plan
Proposed by William Paterson, suggested a unicameral (1-house) Congress, with all states receiving equal representation.
Senate
One of the two houses (parts) of Congress (Legislative Branch)
How many Senators does each state get?
2
House of Representatives
One of the two houses (parts) of Congress (Legislative Branch)
How is the number of representatives given to each state decided in the House of Representatives?
It is decided by population.
Supporters of a strong federal government and the Constitution.
Federalists
Supporters of a weak federal government and written Bill of Rights.
Anti-Federalists
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