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Government and Constitution Terms (2020)

Terms in this set (30)

Articles of Confederation
A weak constitution that governed America during and a bit after the Revolutionary War.
Federal Government
National Government
Ratify
To approve (a bill/law)
Great Compromise
offered a 2-house legislature (bicameral) to satisfy both big and small states
Republic
A form of government in which citizens choose their leaders by voting, and those leaders make decisions.
3/5 Compromise
3/5 of the enslaved population would be counted for both taxation and representation
Amendment
A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law
limited government
a government that has been limited in power by a constitution (laws), or written agreement
checks and balances
a system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of the others
separation of powers
the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government
Legislative Branch
Branch of government that makes the laws (also called Congress)
Executive Branch
Branch of government that enforces the laws
Judicial Branch
Branch of government that decides if laws are written and carried out fairly (judges the laws).
Federalism
A system in which power is divided between the federal and state governments
Virginia Plan
A plan at the constitutional convention to base representation in the legislature on population of the state. (BIG states liked this plan)
New Jersey Plan
A plan at the constitutional convention to have representation in the legislature be equal for all states, no matter their population. (SMALL states liked this plan)
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments to the Constitution
Bicameral
A legislative branch consisting of two parts, or houses. (For the U.S. it is the Senate and the House of Representatives)
Unicameral
A legislative branch consisting of one-house.
Cabinet
A group of advisers to the president.
Power of Judicial Review
Power granted to the Supreme Court to review bills/laws and make sure they abide with the Constitution.
Constitution
important set of laws that outlines a government
Tyranny
Cruel and harsh government power in the hands of one, a few, or many.
political party
A group of people with common political interests who organize to nominate candidates to be elected to a government position
Popular Sovereignty
A government in which the people rule
Senate
Part of the legislative branch, with 2 senators from each state, regardless of population.
House of Representatives
Part of the current U.S. legislative branch, with representation based on population of each state. (435 total members)
Congress
the legislature (law-making group) of the United States government (Senate + House of Representatives)
veto
to reject a bill and prevent it from becoming a law
Supreme Court
the highest judicial court in the United States
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