Chapter 7 Flashcards
bicameral
Having two separate lawmaking chambers.
republic
A government in which citizens rule through elected representatives.
ordinance
Law.
clause
A special condition in a formal document.
depreciate
A fall in value.
ratify
To vote approval of.
sovereign
One who holds power.
inflation
When it takes more and more money to buy the same amount of goods; a continuous rise in prices of goods and services.
depression
A period when economic activity slows and unemployment increases.
manumission
The freeing of individual enslaved persons.
convention
A formal or official meeting.
amend
To change or revise.
proportional
Having the proper size in reaction to other objects or items.
compromise
A settlement of dispute or disagreement reached by each side giving up some of what it wants in order to reach an agreement.
Federalism
A form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national, government and state government.
federal
Replying to a national government.
Legislative branch
Lawmaking branch of government.
Executive branch
Branch of government that executes, or carries out, the law; headed by the president.
Judicial Branch
The branch of government that interprets the law; it includes courts that settle disputes and questions of the law.
Electoral College
A group of people named by each state legislature to select the president and vice president.
checks and balances
A system by which each branch of government limits the power of other branches so that one branch does not become too powerful.
amendment
A change, correction, or improvement added to a document.
confederation
Alliance or union.
constitution
Detailed written plan for a government; a list of basic laws that support a government.
