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ch. 3
Term | Definition |
---|---|
constitution | a detailed, written plan for the 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 the 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 from of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, governments |
anti-federalists | those who opposed ratification of the constitution |
preamble | the opening section of constitution |
legislative branch | the lawmaking branch of government |
executive branch | the branch of the government that carries out laws |
judicial branch | the branch of the government 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, even those who govern |
separation of powers | the split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches |
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 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 that are shared by the state and federal government |