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Chapter Three
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Constitution | Written plan for the government. |
| Bicameral | divided into two parts, or houses. |
| confederation | A group of individual state governments that band together for a common purpose. |
| ratified | approved. |
| Constitutional Convention | All the delegates set out to strengthen the national government by creating a new plan of government. |
| Great Compromise | Agreement providing a dual system of congressional represention |
| 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 |
| Federalists | Supporters of the constitution |
| federalism | form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states |
| Anti-Federalists | Those who opposed ratification of the constitution |
| Preamble | An introduction that states the goals and purposes of the government |
| Legislative Branch | Lawmaking branch of the government |
| Executive Branch | The branch of government that carries out laws |
| Judicial Branch | The branch of government that interprets laws |
| amendment | any change in the constitution |
| Popular Sovereignty | The notion that power lies with the people |
| Rule of Law | Principle that the law applies to every one, even those who govern |
| Separation of powers | the split of authority among the legislative executive, and judicial branches |
| Checks & Balances | a system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of others |
| Expressed Powers | 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 goverments |