Constitution Vocab Flashcards
Minor change or addition designed to improve something
amendment
This group opposes the creation of stronger U.S. federal government and don’t like the constitution
Anti-Federalists
The nation’s first frame of government
Articles of Confederation
Having 2 branches or chambers
Bicameral
Founding document written by James Madison
Makes up the first 10 amendments
Bill of rights
provides each branch of government with individual powers to check the other branches and prevent any one branch from becoming too powerful.
Checks and Balances
Political union of sovereign states that are united for purposes of common action
Confederation
Has authority to enforce laws and appoints people to enforce
Executive Power
System of dividing power between central national government and local state government
Federal government
This group advocates or supports systems of government where several states unite under central authority
Federalists
Power of court to decide and pronounce a judgement and carry into effect
Judicial power
Power of the courts of country to examine actions of the legislative, executive, and administrative arms of government
Judicial review
Only part of the government that can make new laws or change existing laws
Legislative power
Leaders of the state and government are created and sustained by consent of people
popular sovereignty
government responsibilities are divided among distinct branches (legislative, executive, and judicial) to prevent any one branch from wielding excessive power
Separation of Powers
Has a single legislative chamber
Unicameral
A state governed as a single entity where central government is supreme authority
Unitary Government
