| A | B |
|---|
| preamble | a prelinminary statement that explains the purpose of a formal document |
| domestic | relating to a country's internal affairs |
| tranquility | the quality of being free from commotion or disturbance |
| posterity | future generations |
| ordain | to order by virute of superior authority |
| welfare | health, happiness, and good fortune |
| defense | protection against attack |
| justice | the quality of being fair with moral rightness |
| union | an alliance of political entities for mutual benefit |
| constitution | a document prescribing the structure, functions, and limits of goverrnment |
| legislature | group of lawmakers, otherwise known as congress |
| congress | group of lawmakes, otherwise known as the legislature |
| separation of powers | division of powers among the the government branches |
| legislative branch | lawmaking branch of government |
| judicial branch | interprets laws and settles disputes |
| executive branch | carries out the laws |
| checks and balances | system to insure that no one branch of government becomes too powerful |
| amendments | additions or changes to the constitution |
| judicial review | process of determining if a law or action is constitutional |
| bill of rights | first ten amendments to the constitution |
