topic 4 vocab words Flashcards
Citizen
the position or status of being a citizen of a particular country.
immigrant
a person who comes to live permanently in a foreign country.
patriotism
feeling of attachment and commitment to a country, nation, or political community.
jury duty
the obligation to act or a period of acting as a member of a jury in court.
civic virtue
the character of a good participant in a system of government
civil
relating to, or involving the general public, their activities, needs, or ways, or civic affairs as distinguished from special (such as military or religious) affairs.
infrastructure
the basic physical and organizational structures and facilities (e.g. buildings, roads, power supplies) needed for the operation of a society or enterprise.
local government
the administration of a particular town, county, or district, with representatives elected by those who live there.
popular sovereignty
government based on consent of the people
bill
a proposal for a new law, or a proposal to significantly change an existing law.
veto
a legal power to unilaterally stop an official action. In the most typical case, a president or monarch vetoes a bill to stop it from becoming law.
impeach
he process of bringing charges against a government official for wrongdoing.
ratify
to approve or enact a legally binding act that would not otherwise be binding in the absence of such approval
federalist
a supporter of a strong federal government
antifederalist
an opponent of a strong federal government
amend
to change
republic
a system of government in which citizens choose representatives to govern them
magna carta
a British document signed in 1215 that contained two basic ideas: monarchs themselves have to obey the laws, and citizens have basic rights
seperation of powers
a principle by which the powers of government are divided among separate branches
constitutional convention
the gathering of state representatives on May 25, 1787 to revise the Articles of Confederation
virginia plan
the plan at the Constitutional Convention that called for a strong national government with three branches and a two-chamber legislature
new jersey plan
the plan at the Constitutional Convention, favored by smaller states, that called for three branches of government with a single-chamber legislature
great compromise
a plan at the Constitutional Convention that settled the differences between large and small states
constitution
a document that sets out the laws, principles, organization, and processes of a government
articles of confederation
the first American constitution, passed in 1777, which created a loose alliance of 13 independent states
shays rebellion
a 1786 revolt in Massachusetts led by farmers in reaction to high taxes
