| A | B |
|---|
| Preamble | Short, noteworthy introduction to the Constitution |
| Articles | Numbered sections of the Constitution |
| Constitutionalism | Government must be conducted according to constitutional principles |
| Rule of Law | Holds government and its officers subject to the law |
| Separation of Powers | Distributed presidential powers among the separate branches in the government |
| Checks and Balances | System of overlapping powers of the three branches of government to check the actions of the others |
| Veto | Rejection of a law by the President |
| Judicial Review | The power of the courts to determine whether what government does is in accord with what the Constitution provides |
| Unconstitutional | To declare illegal, null and void, of no force an effect; violates the Constitution |
| Federalism | Division of power among a central government and several regional governments |
| Amendment | A change in, or addition to, a constitution or law |
| Formal Amendment | Changes or additions that become part of the written language of the Constitution itself |
| First Method | Amendment proposal by a two-thirds vote in each house of Congress; ratified by three-fourths of the State legislatures |
| Second Method | Amedment proposal by Congress, ratified by conventions in three-fourths of the state |
| Third Method | Amendment proposal by a national convention, called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the State legislatures |
| Fourth Method | Amendment proposal by a national convention and ratified by conventions in three fourths of the States |
| Bill of Rights | First ten amendments to the US Constitution |
| Executive Agreement | A pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state |
| Treaty | A formal agreement between two or more sovereign states |
| Electoral College | The group that makes the formal selection of the President and Vice President |
| Cabinet | The advisory body to the President |
| Senatorial Courtesy | Senate will not approve a presidential appointment opposed by a majority party senator from State in which the appointee would serve |
