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Chap. 3
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Constition | A detailed, written plan for government |
Bicameral | A legislature consisting of two parts, or houses |
Confederation | A group of individuals or state governments |
Ratify | To vote approval of |
Constitutional Convention | A meeting state delegates in 1787 leading to the adoption new constitution |
Great Compromise | An agreement that provided a dual system of congressional representation |
Three-Fifths Compromise | An agreement that provided enslaved people would be counted as three-fifths of other people 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 | A form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and states |
Anti-Federalists | Those who oppose the ratification of the Constitution |
Preamble | The opening section of the government |
Legislative Branch | The lawmaking branch of the government |
Executive Branch | The branch of the government that carries out laws |
Judicial Branch | The branch of the government that interprets laws |
Amendment | A change in the Constituion |
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 Powers | The split authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches |
Checks and Balances | A system in which branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of others |
Expressed Powers | Powers that Congress have 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 |