| A | B |
|---|
| confederation or confederacy | group of individuals or states that band together for a common purpose |
| ratification,ratified | final approval |
| reserved powers | the powers the Constitution gives the states |
| concurrent powers | powers given both the state and national governments |
| enumerated powers | powers of the federal gov't listed in the Const. |
| elastic clause | Art I sec. 8 or the "necessary and proper clause |
| checks and balances | system where each branch can limit the powers of the other branches |
| separation of powers | the division of gov't power into 3 separate powers |
| popular sovereignty | the idea that people should rule themselves |
| anti-federalists | those who opposed ratification of the Const. |
| federalist | those who favored the Const. |
| Federalism | system in which power is shared between the state and federal gov'ts |
| assembly | the rt. in the 1sr amend. to bring a group of people together for a meeting |
| implied powers | powers of congress not specifically listed |
| three-fifths rule | 3/5 of the slave population would be counted in determining representation in Congress befor the Civil War |
| electoral college | representatives of voters in each state who select the President and Vice President |
| precedent | example for future courts to follow |
| cabinet | panel of advisors |
| impeachment | to take the president to court- if found guilty the president can be removed from office |
| due process | rules used to determine if an individual is guilty of a civil or criminal offense;the rules protect the individual's rights |
| democracy | state in which political power lies with all the people |
| limited government | principle that there are limits to a government's power and that individuals have rights that governments cannot take away |
| rule of law | condition where the laws are clearly stated and apply to everyone equally |
| consent of the governed | government ruling with the approval of the people |
| John Locke | English Philosopher who wrote that we are entitled to Life, Liberty and the pursuit of happiness |
| Virginia Declaration of Rights | part of Virginia's first constitution in 1776. Its author was George Mason |
| charter | formal document in which someone usually the monarch grants special rights to an institution such as a town or company |
| popular sovereignty | the people are the source of political power |
| monarchy | government by a King or Queen |
| Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom | laws written by Thomas Jefferson in 1786 that gave Virginians the freedom to practice their religion as they wished |
| natural rights | rights based on reason,religion, and nature |
| Preamble to the Constitution | introductory statement explaining the purpose of the document that follows |
