Chapter 7 Vocabulary Review

lawmaking branch of government Legislative

to match up in size Proportional

a two-house legislature Bicameral

part of the Constitution Article

to approve Ratify

a government in which citizens rule through elected representatives Republic

something added to a legal document Amendment

to make a formal written request Petition

special group of presidential electors Electoral College

a law Ordinance

Limits to ensure that no single branch of the government dominate the government Checks and Balances

branch of government headed by the president that carries out laws and policies Executive

the freeing of individual enslaved persons Manumission

court system that interprets the laws Judicial

a plan of government Constitution

Rules that keep and maintain order in society. Laws

sharing power between federal and state governments Federalism

A group of states under a weak central government Confederation

The people vote directly to make the government’s decisions/laws Direct Democracy

King or Queen rules absolutely; no one can challenge their power. Power is passed directly to their children. Absolute Monarchy

King or Queen has power that is limited by the elected representatives of the people. Power is passed directly to their children. Limited (Constitutional) Monarchy

One person has all of the power and uses it to deprive others of their personal freedoms – power is held using the military. Dictatorship

The person or people who rule and make laws for others. Government

A handful of people decide everything. Oligarchy

The people elect representatives to make laws for them. Democratic – Republic

Absolute control by the central government which doesn’t allow different political beliefs or opinions. Totalitarian

The wealthy or noble classes have all the power and make all of the laws Aristocracy