Chapter 3 Vocabulary

Question 1

constitution

Answer 1

a detailed, written plan for government

Question 2

bicameral

Answer 2

a legislature consisting of two parts, or houses

Question 3

confederation

Answer 3

a group of individuals or state governments

Question 4

ratify

Answer 4

to vote approval of

Question 5

convert

Answer 5

to change from one belief, form, or use to another

Question 6

area

Answer 6

a region or section

Question 7

impact

Answer 7

to influence or affect

Question 8

Constitutional Convention

Answer 8

meeting of state delegates in 1787 leading to adoption of new Constitution

Question 9

Great Compromise

Answer 9

agreement providing a dual system of congressional representation

Question 10

Three-Fifths Compromise

Answer 10

agreement providing that enslaved persons would count as three-fifths of other persons in determining representation in Congress

Question 11

Electoral College

Answer 11

a group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president

Question 12

Federalists

Answer 12

supporters of the Constitution

Question 13

federalism

Answer 13

a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and the states

Question 14

Anti-Federalists

Answer 14

those who opposed ratification of the Constitution

Question 15

process

Answer 15

an action or series of actions directed towards a result

Question 16

despite

Answer 16

in spite of

Question 17

Preamble

Answer 17

the opening section of the Constitution

Question 18

legislative branch

Answer 18

the law-making branch of government

Question 19

executive branch

Answer 19

the branch of government that carries out laws

Question 20

judicial branch

Answer 20

the branch of government that interprets laws

Question 21

amendment

Answer 21

any change in the Constitution

Question 22

consist

Answer 22

to be made up of

Question 23

assume

Answer 23

to take over a job or responsibility

Question 24

popular sovereignty

Answer 24

the notion that power lies with the people

Question 25

rule of law

Answer 25

principle that the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

Question 26

separation of powers

Answer 26

the split of authority among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Question 27

checks and balances

Answer 27

a system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain, the power of the others

Question 28

expressed powers

Answer 28

powers that Congress has that are specifically listed in the constitution

Question 29

reserved powers

Answer 29

powers that the Constitution does not give to the national government that are kept by the states

Question 30

concurrent powers

Answer 30

powers shared by the state and federal governments

Question 31

ensure

Answer 31

to secure or make sure

Question 32

assign

Answer 32

to dole out or give as a task