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chapter 3
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| constitution | a detailed,written plan for government. |
| bicameral | a legislature consisting of two parts,or houses. |
| confederation | a group of individuals or state governments. |
| ratified | to vote approval of. |
| constitutional convention | meeting of state delegates in the 1787 leading to adoption of new constitution. |
| great compromise | agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation |
| three-fifths compromise | agreement providing that enslaved persons would count as three-fifths of other persons in determining representation in congress. |
| Electoral college | a group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president. |
| federalist | supporters of the constitution |
| federalism | a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national,government and the states. |
| Anti-federalist | those who opposed ratification of the constitution. |
| preamble | the opening section of the constitution |
| legislative branch | the law making branch of the government |
| executive branch | the branch of government that carries out law. |
| judicial branch | the branch of government that interprets law. |
| Amendment | only change in the constitution |
| popular sovereignty | the notion that power lies with the people. |
| rule of law | principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern. |
| separation of power | the split of authority among the legislative,executive,and judicial branches. |
| checks and balances | a system in which each branch of government is able to check,or restrain,the power of others |
| expressed powers | that congress has that are specifically listed in the constitution. |
| reserved powers | powers that the constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states. |
| concurrent powers | powers shared by the state and federal governments. |