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Chapter Three
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Constitution | Written plan for the government. |
Bicameral | divided into two parts, or houses. |
confederation | A group of individual state governments that band together for a common purpose. |
ratified | approved. |
Constitutional Convention | All the delegates set out to strengthen the national government by creating a new plan of government. |
Great Compromise | Agreement providing a dual system of congressional represention |
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 | form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states |
Anti-Federalists | Those who opposed ratification of the constitution |
Preamble | An introduction that states the goals and purposes of the government |
Legislative Branch | Lawmaking branch of the government |
Executive Branch | The branch of government that carries out laws |
Judicial Branch | The branch of 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 every one, even those who govern |
Separation of powers | the split of authority among the legislative executive, and judicial branches |
Checks & Balances | a system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of 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 goverments |