| A | B |
|---|
| republic | a nation in which voters elect representatives to govern them. |
| John Locke | English philosopher declared that "life, liberty, and property" were natural human rights |
| Montesquieu | French thinker who urged that the power of the government be divided into legislative, executive, and judicial |
| Magna Carta | English document of 1215 which limited the power of the government |
| separation of powers | concept which prevents any one individual from gaining too much power |
| federalism | the sharing of power between state and national governments |
| U.S. Constitution | "Supreme law of the land" and oldest written constitution in the world |
| legislative branch | Made up of Senate and the House of Representatives, collectively called the Congress |
| executive branch | made up of the President , Vice-President ,and their cabinet of officers |
| electoral college | originally ones chosen from each state to vote for the Pres. and V.P.(its function has changed somewhat today) |
| checks and balances | system in which the 3 branches of government control one another. |
| bills | laws proposed by either the Senate or the House of Representatives |
| vetoing | the rejecting of a bill by the President |
| overriding | the overruling by the Congress of a Presidential veto |
| impeach | the bringing of charges against the President |
