| A | B |
|---|
| limited government | Basic principle of American government which states that government is restricted in what it may do and each individual has rights that government cannot take away |
| representative government | government should serve the will of the people and people should have a voice in the government. |
| Magna Carta | The Great Charter sighed in 1215 which included such rights as trial by jury and due process of law |
| confederation | A joining of several groups for a common purpose. |
| delegate | representatives |
| boycott | a refusal to buy or sell certain products or services |
| repeal | withdrawn, cancelled |
| popular sovereignty | government can exist only with the consent of the government |
| Article of Confederation | Plan of government adopted by the Continental Congress after the American Revolution; established "a firm league of friendship" among the States, but allowed few important powers to the central government. |
| ratification | formal approval |
| Federalists | A system of government in which a written constitution divides power between a central government and several local governments |
| Anti-Federalists | Those persons who opposed the ratification of the Constitution in 1787-1788. |
| quorum | least number of members who must be present for a legislative body to conduct business; majority |
| government | institution through which a society makes and enforces its public policies |
| legislative power | the power to make law and to frame public policies |
| executive power | the power to execute, enforce, and administer law |
| judicial power | the power to interpret law, to determine their meaning, and to settle disputes that arise within the society |
| dictatorship | a form of government in which the leader has absolute power and authority. |
| democracy | a form of government in which the supreme authority rests with the people. |
| state | a body of people, living in a defined territory, organized politically, and with the power to make and enforce law without the consent of any higher authority. |
