| A | B |
|---|
| constitution | a document presenting a plan of government |
| legislative branch | the lawmaking branch of government |
| bicameral | two houses of the legislative branch of government |
| executive branch | the branch of government that carries out the laws made by the legislative branch |
| Bill of Rights | a document listing essential freedoms quaranteed to all citizens; the first ten amendments in the US Constitution |
| judicial branch | the branch of government that determines if the laws are carried out fairly |
| Articles of Confederation | the first United States Constitution |
| ratify | to officially approve a proposal |
| republic | a government in which people elect officials to represent them |
| veto | action by which an executive rejects a bill submitted by a legislature, to refuse to approve |
| separation of powers | the division of power among the three branches of government |
| federalism | system of government in which power is distributed between the national and state governments |
| electoral college | representatives of voters in each state who select the President and the Vice President |
| checks and balances | a system set up in the Constitution where each branch of the government has some authority over the other |
| impeachment | to bring formal charges against a federal or state official with the intent of removing them from office |
| amendment | a written change to a document |
| liberty | freedom of people to live as they choose |
| popular sovereignty | the belief that people should have the right to rule themselves |
| tyranny | cruel and unjust rule |
| diplomacy | relations with foreign countries |
