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ch.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. |
ratify | to vote approval of. |
constitution convention | meeting of state delegates in 1787 leading to adoption of new constitution. |
great compromise | agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation. |
three fifths compromise | agreement providing that enslaves persons would count as three-fifths of other persons in determining representation in congress. |
electoral college | a group of people named by 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, a government and the state. |
anti-federalists | those who opposed ratification of the constitution. |
preamble | the opening section of the constitution. |
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 | any change in the constitution. |
popular sovereignty | the notion that power lies with the people. |
rule of law | principle that the law applies to everyone to everyone, even those who govern. |
separation of powers | the split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branch. |
checks and balances | a system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of the others. |
expressed powers | powers that congress has that specifically listed in the constitution. |
reserved powers | powers that the constitution does not give to the national government that are kept away by the states. |
concurrent powers | powers that are shared by the states and federal government. |