U.S. Constitution Vocabulary 2023 Flashcards
Unlimited Government
A government whose power is not limited by its people or its Constitution
Limited Government
A government whose power is limited by its people or by its Constitution
Articles of Confederation
Our first rules of government. They were weak and had many problems.
Confederation
A loose union of independent States.
Our U.S. Constitution, AKA Federal System
Our document of government that shows how to divide power between a strong central government and the states.
Checks and Balances
Giving each branch of government powers over the other branches
Separation of Powers
The practice of dividing up the powers of government between the branches, so that one doesn’t get too powerful.
Legislative Branch
The Congress. Their main job is to make laws.
Executive Branch
The President, Vice President, Cabinet, the Military and other Federal Agencies. Their main job is to enforce laws.
Judicial Branch
The Supreme Court and other Federal Courts. Their job is to interpret the laws.
House of Representatives
Elected every 2 years. The lower house. # is based on the population of their state.
Senate
Elected every 6 years. The Upper House. 2 from each state.
Congress
Another name for our Legislative Branch, or Legislature.
Delegated Powers
Powers specifically given to a branch of the Federal government by the Constitution.
Shared Powers
Powers that are shared between the Federal Government and State Governments because ALL levels of government have them.
Reserved Powers
Powers reserved for State Governments and the People because they are NOT mentioned in the Constitution.
Federalists
People who supported Federalism and the US Constitution.
Anti-Federalists
People who wanted a Confederation Government and did not support the US Constitution.
Federal Government
What we call our National Government in Washington D.C. The President (and the rest of Executive Branch), Congress, and our Federal Courts
Bill of Rights
These were the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. They are all written as restrictions on what the Federal Government can do to the People.
