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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 |
| Ratify | To vote approval of |
| Constitutional 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 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 | A form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national government and the states |
| Anti-Federalism | 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 government that carries out laws |
| Judicial Branch | The branch of government that interpret 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, 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 powers of the 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 government |