Term | Definition |
preamble | an introfuction to a declaration, constitution, or other official document |
domestic tranquility | peace and order within a country |
civillian | nonmilitary |
general welfare | the well being of all the citizens of a nation |
liberty | freedom |
article | a section of the main body of the constitution which establishes the framework for the united states government |
popular sovereignty | government by consent of the governed |
limited government | a principle of the United States Constitution that states that government has only the powers that the constitution gives it |
checks and balances | a principle of the united states constitution that gives each branch of government the power to check, or limit, the other branches |
federalism | a principle of the united states constitution that establishes the division of power between the federal government and the states |
House of Representatives | the larger of the two bodies that make up the legislative branch of the united states government or congress |
Senate | the smaller of the two bodies that make up the legislative branch of the united states government or congress |
bill | a proposed law |
electoral college | a group of electors from each state who are chosen by voters every four years to vote for the president and vice president of the united states |
supreme court | the highest court in the united states established by the constitution |
appeal | to ask that a decision be reviewed by a higher court |
unconstitutional | not permitted by the constitution |
veto | to reject as when the president rejects a law passed by congress |
override | to overrule as when congress overrules a president veto |
impeach | to bring charges of serious wrongdoing against a public official |
constitutional initiative | the power of citizens to call for votes to change state constitutions |
local government | a government on the county, parish, city, town, village, or district level |
judicial review | a branch of the government that decides if laws are carried out fairly |
infrastructure | a system of transit lines, highways, bridges, and tunnels |