Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
Fundamental principles that a country/nation, state or other organization acknowledged to be governed.
Constitution
Collective body that is responsible for carrying out, or executing, the laws.
Executive Branch
The law-making body of a country/nation or state government
Legislature/Legislative Branch
Bicameral
Two chambers
Collective body that interprets the law and administers justice
Judicial Branch
Counterbalancing influences which ensure that political power isn’t concentrated in the hands of individuals.
Checks and balances.
Each branch of government has different responsibilities
Separation of Powers
Relating to or denoting the central government as distinguished from the separate units constituting a federation.
Federal
The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement; making it officially valid
Ratification
The original constitution of the United States, ratified in 1781, which was replaced by the current constitution in 1789.
The Articles of Confederation
A self-governing state
Sovereignty
Provides states with equal representation in the Senate, and proportional representation in the House.
Great Compromise.
A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives.
Republic
Compromise that established that a slave would not be counted as a whole person, insofar as determining total population.
3/5 Compromise
A piece of legislation, a decree, or an authoritative order enacted by a municipal authority.
Ordinance
The belief in or support for a central government
Federalism
Belief in a system of government in which citizens vote for other people to represent them in the government.
Republicanism
Belief that government is created by and subject to the will of the people.
Popular Sovereignty
Proponents of the new national constitution and a stronger federal government
Federalist
Opponents of the new national constitution; favored a strong state government
Anti-federalist
General in charge of the Continental Army, considered a founding father, served as president from 1789-1797.
George Washington
Considered one of the founding fathers, but never served as president.
Benjamin Franklin
Considered a founding father, and served as president from 1797-1801
John Adams
Complete or dramatic (political) change
Revolutionary
A governing or controlling body whose power exists only within predefined limits that are established by a constitution or other source of authority.
Limited government
