U.S. Government Terms

Mayflower Compact Agreement signed by Pilgrims before landing at Plymouth in 1620

Declaration of Independence Written in 1776 by Jefferson Stated that colonies were free and independent of Britain Based on ideas of John Locke

Articles of Confederation First plan of government Set up a weak central government Replaced by Constitution

Great Compromise The plan for a 2 house legislature that settled differences between large and small states over representation in Congress

Constitution A body of laws setting out the basic principles, structures, process and functions of government U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787

Legislative Power Lawmaking power                                                                                           

Executive Power Power of the executive branch to carry out laws

Judicial Power Power of judicial branch to interpret laws

Popular Sovereignty Basic principle that the people are the only source of any and all government power Power of people to vote for their leaders

Federalism A system of government in which authority is divided between national and state governments

Delegated powers Powers given by the Constitution to the national government and denied to state governments

Reserved Powers Those powers held by the states in the federal system

Concurrent Powers Powers shared by the national and state governments

Supremacy Clause Section of Constitution which makes it and federal laws the “Supreme law of the land”

Separation of Powers The principle that gives the powers of making, enforcing, and interpreting laws to separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches

Checks and Balances                                                              System in which each branch of government has the power to limit the actions of the other branches

Elastic Clause Basis for the implied powers of Congress a statement in the U.S. Constitution granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers (Article I, Section 8 ).

Amendment A change to the Constitution                                                                

Electoral College Assembly elected by voters to formally elect the president

Judicial Review Power of Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of acts of legislative and executive branches

Unwritten Constitution Political practices that are not part of the Constitution Cabinet system Political parties                                                            

Cabinet A group of people chosen by the president to be advisors

Political Parties Groups that seek to control the government through the winning of elections and holding public office                

Bill of Rights 1st 10 Amendments to the Constitution Deals mostly with civil rights (liberties) 1st Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly 2nd The right to bear arms and form a militia 3rd No quartering of soldiers in private houses during peace time i.e. No Declaration of War has been announced 4th Searches and seizures; warrants 5th Due process; Self-incrimination; Double jeopardy (Can't be tried for the same crime twice) 6th Rights of the accused, Right to a speedy public trial 7th Right to trial by jury in civil cases 8th No excessive bail & fines or cruel & unusual punishment 9th Unemunerated rights (i.e., rights not listed) retained by the people 10th Powers reserved to the states or to the people

Due Process Rights Constitutional guarantee that government will not deprive any person of life, liberty or property by any unfair, arbitrary, or unreasonable action

Equal Protection Rights A right guaranteed under the 14th Amendment No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.