Term | Definition |
Enumerated | Powers given to Federal government only |
Concurrent | Those powers shared by the national (federal)
and state governments. (Both) |
Executive | Branch of government that enforces the laws. |
Preamble | The introduction to the Constitution that
states the goals for the government. |
Admendment | Any change to the Constitution. |
Seperation of powers | The idea that government should be divided
into 3 branches to avoid an abuse of power. |
The Charters of the VA company | Established the rights of Englishmen would be
guaranteed to colonists. |
Elastic Clause | Gives Congress the power to make all laws
necessary and proper to carry out its duties. |
Reserved | Powers given to the state governments only. |
The Virginia Declaration | Served as a model for the Bill of Rights of the
US Constitution. |
Legislative Branch | Branch of government that makes laws. |
Ratification | To approve. The Constitution was ratified
June 1788. |
Declaration of Independence | Established and listed the unalienable rights of
all men.
Colonial grievances against the King.
The idea of equality under the law.
The colonies’ independence from Great
Britain (England). |
Judicial Branch | The Branch of Government that interprets the
law. |
Articles of Confederation | Established the first for of government for the
independent states
Allowed the states to keep the major powers
of government. |
Articles | The seven sections of the Constitution
following the Preamble. |
Constitution | Establishes the structure of the present
national government.
Living Document
Supreme Law of the Land. |
Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom | Established freedom of religious beliefs and
opinions.
Model for the First Amendment to the
Constitution. |
Checks and Balances | A system in which each branch of government
is able to limit the power of the other two
branches. |
Shays Rebellion | One of the final events proving the weakness
of the Articles of Confederation.
Leading to the convention to revise the
Articles. |