| A | B |
|---|
| Judicial Review | The power of the Supreme Court to declare laws and actions of local, state, or national governments unconstitutional |
| Popular Sovereignty | Rule by the people |
| Limited Government | A system in which the power of the governement is limited, not absolute |
| Federalism | A system in which power is divided between the state and national governments |
| Checks and Balances | The system where each branch of government exercises some control of the others |
| Separation of Power | The division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government |
| Marbury v. Madison | This supreme court case that took place in 1803 established that the court itself had the final say on what exactly the constitution means. The Supreme Court also had the final say on whether or not an act of government violates the constitution. |
| McCulloch v. Maryland | This Supreme Court case, held in 1819, stated that Congress held more power than the constitution's necessary and proper clause (Article I, Section 8) initially expressed. They can enact nearly any law that will help achieve any of the ends set forth in this section. |
| United States v. Nixon | This supreme Court case, held in 1974, made it clear that the president is not above the law. The Supreme Court held that only those presidential conversations and communications that relate to performing duties of the office of president are confidential and protected form a judicial order of disclosure. |
| Preamble | Introduces the Constitution and sets forth the general purposes for which the government was established. |
| Amendments | Helps adapt new conditions to the constitution while still preserving the basic form of American government |
| Articles | The constitution is organized into seven of these, each covering a different topic. |
| Supreme Court | The nation's highest court. |
| Expressed Powers | Powers granted to each of the three branches of government that can be found expressly written in the constitution. |
| Original Jurisdiction | To hear a case for the first time. |
| Implied Powers | Powers that are thought to be reasonable but are not expressly written in the constitution. |
| Appellate Jurisdiction | To hear a case on appeal. |
| Inherent Powers | Powers that any nation anywhere in the world has. (For example, regulating immigration.) |
| Constitution | The written form of government in the United States. |
| Reserved Powers | Powers which belong to the states. |
| Legislative Branch | Branch of government that makes laws. |
| Concurrent Powers | Powers that belong to both the federal government and the states. |
| Executive Branch | Branch of government that carries out or enforces the law. |
| Rule of Law | Government officials are not above the law. |
| Judicial Branch | Branch of government that interprets the law. |
| Constitutionalism | This says the government must abide by the Constitution. |
| House of Representatives | Also known as the lower house; one of two chambers of Congress; has 435 members. |
| Senate | Known as the upper house; one of the two chambers of Congress; has 100 members. |
| Elastic Clause | Also known as the Necessary and Proper Clause; gives Congress the powers to do what is necessary and proper. |
| President | Leader of the executive branch of the federal government. |
| Capitol Building | Headquarters of the U.S. Congress. |
| Vice President | Second in command of the executive branch. |
| White House | Headquarters of the executive branch of the federal government. |
