Chapter 9 Vocabulary

Question 1

Amnesty

Answer 1

Forgiveness

Question 2

Capitol

Answer 2

A building in which a state or national legislature meets

Question 3

Incorporate

Answer 3

A town given its separate, legal status with its own government by the legislature

Question 4

Articles of Confederation

Answer 4

The first constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781; it established a weak national government and was eventually replaced

Question 5

Ratify

Answer 5

To approve formally and make an agreement or document valid

Question 6

Unicameral

Answer 6

A legislature that only has one house

Question 7

Amend

Answer 7

To change, as a law or constitution

Question 8

U.S. Constitution

Answer 8

The document that set up our current framework for government; written in 1787 and ratified in 1788, it went into effect in 1789

Question 9

Antifederalist

Answer 9

One who opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the 1780s

Question 10

Federalist

Answer 10

One who favored ratification of the U.S. Constitution in the 1780s; a member of the Federalist Party, which believed in a strong, national government

Question 11

Apportionment

Answer 11

The process of determining the number of representatives a state has in Congress

Question 12

Cabinet

Answer 12

The group of federal government department heads chosen by the president as advisors

Question 13

Appeal

Answer 13

To take a case to a higher court for rehearing and possible a new decision

Question 14

Tariff

Answer 14

A tax on imports that is designed to keep out foreign competition and help American industry grow and prosper

Question 15

Alien

Answer 15

One who is not a citizen of the United States

Question 16

Sedition

Answer 16

Words or actions that encourage people to rebel against their government

Question 17

Judicial review

Answer 17

The power of the judicial branch of government to examine laws to determine whether they are constitutional

Question 18

Nullification

Answer 18

The doctrine that a state has the right to refuse to obey or enforce a federal law if the state believes that the law is unconstitutional and violates the state’s rights or sovereignty

Question 19

States’ rights

Answer 19

The political doctrine that strictly interprets the U.S. Constitution to mean that any powers not specifically given to the federal government are reserved for the states; the belief the the right and powers of the states should take precedence over the rights and powers of the federal government

Question 20

Amerced

Answer 20

Assessed a penalty