click below
click below
Normal Size Small Size show me how
4A Constitution
Language of the Constitution
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Limited Government | Government can only do the things the constitution says it can do |
| Individual Rights | People have rights that come from God; these cannot be taken away by a government |
| Popular Sovereignty | The people direct their government by voting, protesting and petitioning their elected representatives. |
| Separation of Powers | Three branches of government share power |
| Three branches | Legislative, Executive, Judicial |
| Legislative Branch | Congress |
| Executive Branch | President |
| Judicial Branch | Supreme Court |
| Checks and Balances | Two or more branches of government must work together to get something done |
| Federalism | Dividing power between a national government and the states |
| Republicanism | Using elected representatives to govern |
| Bill of Rights | First ten amendments to the constitution |
| Social Contract | The people must respect their government only when it treats them fairly; the people have a duty to replace a tyrant |
| Divine Right of Kings | A king gets his power from God. For this reason, the people must obey the orders of a king |