| A | B |
|---|
| Articles of Confederation | First constitution to govern U.S. |
| Bill of Rights | First ten amendments to the constitution |
| Amendments | Additions and changes to the constitution |
| Concurrent Powers | Used by both national and state governments; ex: power to tax |
| Delegated Powers | Powers which belong only to the national government; ex. to declare war |
| Reserved Powers | Powers which belong only to the state government; ex. regulate education |
| Federalism | Power is shared by both the national and state governments |
| Checks and Balances | Ensures that the national government doesn't become too strong or oppress. |
| Popular Sovereignty | Principle that people hold the final power in government |
| Preamble | Intoduction of constitution which states the goals. |
| Elastic Cause | Federal government may stretch its powers to take "necessary and proper" unlisted actions. |
| Separation of Powers | Division of the three main powers of national government into branches. |
| Legislative Branch | Power to make the laws |
| Executive Branch | Power to carry out the laws |
| Judicial Branch | Power to interpret the laws |
| Judicial Review | Allows Court to decide if laws or actions are constitutional |
| Unwritten Constitution | Operation of U.S. government based on customs, traditions, and practices not written in the constitution. |
| Electoral College | Selection of president by a special group of people |
| Declaration of Independence | Document that explained the reasons why the colonists wanted to break away from Great Britain. |
| Great Compromise | To ensure fair representation, ea. state receives two senators and has number of representatives according to population. |
