Unit 1 Vocab

Question 1

Fundamental principles that a country/nation, state or other organization acknowledged to be governed.

Answer 1

Constitution

Question 2

Collective body that is responsible for carrying out, or executing, the laws.

Answer 2

Executive Branch

Question 3

The law-making body of a country/nation or state government

Answer 3

Legislature/Legislative Branch

Question 4

Bicameral

Answer 4

Two chambers

Question 5

Collective body that interprets the law and administers justice

Answer 5

Judicial Branch

Question 6

Counterbalancing influences which ensure that political power isn’t concentrated in the hands of individuals.

Answer 6

Checks and balances.

Question 7

Each branch of government has different responsibilities

Answer 7

Separation of Powers

Question 8

Relating to or denoting the central government as distinguished from the separate units constituting a federation.

Answer 8

Federal

Question 9

The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement; making it officially valid

Answer 9

Ratification

Question 10

The original constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which was replaced by the current constitution in 1789.

Answer 10

The Articles of Confederation

Question 11

A self-governing state

Answer 11

Sovereignty

Question 12

Provides states with equal representation in the Senate, and proportional representation in the House.

Answer 12

Great Compromise.

Question 13

A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.

Answer 13

Republic

Question 14

Compromise that established that a slave would not be counted as a whole person, insofar as determining total population.

Answer 14

3/5 Compromise

Question 15

A piece of legislation, a decree, or an authoritative order enacted by a municipal authority.

Answer 15

Ordinance

Question 16

The belief in or support for a central government

Answer 16

Federalism

Question 17

Belief in a system of government in which citizens vote for other people to represent them in the government.

Answer 17

Republicanism

Question 18

Belief that government is created by and subject to the will of the people.

Answer 18

Popular Sovereignty

Question 19

Proponents of the new national constitution and a stronger federal government

Answer 19

Federalist

Question 20

Opponents of the new national constitution; favored a strong state government

Answer 20

Anti-federalist

Question 21

General in charge of the Continental Army, considered a founding father, served as president from 1789-1797.

Answer 21

George Washington

Question 22

Considered one of the founding fathers, but never served as president.

Answer 22

Benjamin Franklin

Question 23

Considered a founding father, and served as president from 1797-1801

Answer 23

John Adams

Question 24

Complete or dramatic (political) change

Answer 24

Revolutionary

Question 25

A governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a constitution or other source of authority.

Answer 25

Limited government