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chapter 3
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Term | Definition |
---|---|
constitution | a detailed written plan for a government |
bicameral | a legislature consisting of two 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 duel system of congressional representation |
three-fifths compromise | agreement providing that enslaved persons would count as 3/5 of other persons in determining representation in congress |
electoral college | a group of people named by each state senator to select the president and vice president |
federalist | supporters of the constitution |
federalism | form of government in which power is divided between federal or national government and state |
anti-federalists | those who opposed the ratification of the constitution |
preamble | opening section of the constitution |
legislative branch | lawmaking branch of government |
executive branch | the branch of government that carries out laws |
judicial branch | branch of government that interprets laws |
amendment | any change in the constitution |
popular sovereignty | 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 of government |
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 the congress has that are listed in the constitution |
reserved powers | powers that the constitution does not give to the national government and are kept by the state |
concurrent powers | powers shared by state and current governments |