| A | B |
|---|
| government | group whose job is to protect people's rights |
| democracy | a government being run by all the people living under its rule |
| monarchy | a system of government where control is in the hands of a king or queen. When the ruler dies, power is automatically passed to the monarch's children |
| dictatorship | a system of government where supreme power is in the hands of one person or a small group |
| natural rights | life, liberty and property |
| freedom | following one's own wishes without interfering with the rights of others |
| majority | more than half the people |
| minority | less than half the people |
| Executive Branch | branch of the government which makes sure laws are followed and carries out the laws (President) |
| Cabinet | group of people selected by the President to give him advice and assistance |
| Legislative Branch | law making branch of government (Senators and Congressmen) |
| Congress | part of government made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives (Legislative Branch) |
| bicameral | two house legislature |
| Judicial Branch | branch of government (judges)which decides if laws are fair and punishes law breakers |
| Supreme Court | "highest" court in the United States |
| checks and balances | a system that prevents one branch of government from becoming too strong |
| veto | the right of a president to reject a law |
| compromise | to settle an argument by partially giving up your demands |
| law | a rule of conduct or action laid down and enforced by a governing authority |
| candidate | a person who states he/she wants to run for office |
| ballot | a piece of paper on which a person votes |
| political party | group of people with mostly the same ideas and beliefs about government |
| campaign | to actively try to persuade people to vote |
| primary | an election to see who will run in the general election (semi-finals) |
| inauguration | the swearing in for office |
| federal government | deals with matters that affect the whole country. ex. It provides for the nation's defense by maintaining an army and navy. |
| state government | handles matters within their own state. ex. It determines what is to be taught in their schools. |
| governor | chief official of a state |
| mayor | chief official of a city |
| Maylflower Compact | (1620) an agreement made by Pilgrims on the Mayflower to make and obey laws for their colony. This was the first self-rule by American colonists |
| Declaration of Independence | (1776) document written by Thomas Jefferson that declared our freedom from England |
| Articles of Confederation | the country's first plan of government. However, it was too weak to protect the nation and failed to unite the thirteen states |
| Constitution | (1787) document which outlines how the government is organized and run |
| Preamble | introduction to the Constitution |
| amendment | a change in the Constitution |
| Bill of Rights | (1791)part of the Constitution that promises certain freedoms to all people. This was added in the form of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution |
