| A | B |
|---|
| Primary Source | provide a first-hand account of an event or time period. Example: newspaper article with reporting from a historical event |
| Secondary Source | A document that analyzes or discusses primary sources, that is not a first-hand account. Example - a history textbook |
| Popular Sovreignty | The idea that political power comes from the people |
| Federalism | System of government in which power is divided and shared among national, state, and local governments |
| Constitution | The supreme law of the land. |
| Preamble | The first section of the Constitution; the introduction |
| Articles | The second part of the Constitution; describes how the government will operate |
| Amendments | The third part of the Constitution; changes and additions to the Constitution |
| Separation of Powers | The principle that each branch of government has its own roles and responsibilities |
| Checks and Balances | Each branch of government can check, or limit the power of, other branches |
| Veto | When the president refuses to sign a bill that Congress passes. Congress can over-ride this with a 2/3 vote. |
| Legislative | The branch of government called Congress that makes the laws |
| Executive | The branch of government which includes the President, cabinet, and federal departments |
| Judicial | The branch of government which includes the courts and interprets the law |
| Executive Order | a rule issued by a President that did not pass through the legislative branch |
| Bias | a "slant" or opinion toward one point of view |
| Propaganda | persuasive messages that try to influence people's emotions, beliefs, or opinions |
| Judicial review | When the courts determine if a law or executive order is constitutional |
| First Amendment | protects freedom of speech, religion, assembly, and press |
| Second Amendment | protects the right to own a firearm |
| Fourth Amendment | protects against unreasonable search and seizure |
| Fifth Amendment | protects right to a jury trial and right to not incrimiate yourself |
| Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments | provided rights and protections for African Americans after the Civil war |
| Nineteenth Amendment | gave women the right to vote |
| House of Representatives and Senate | The two parts of Congress/ the Legislative Branch |
