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bicameral
Having two branches or chambers.
Madison
Refers to James Madison, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the fourth President of the United States.
Article II
Article of the U.S. Constitution that establishes the executive branch of the federal government.
Alexander Hamilton
One of the Founding Fathers of the United States and the first Secretary of the Treasury.
popular sovereignty
The principle that the authority of a state and its government are created and sustained by the consent of its people.
limited government
A political system in which legalized force is restricted through delegated and enumerated powers.
constitutionalism
Adherence to a system of constitutional government.
rule of law
The restriction of the arbitrary exercise of power by subordinating it to well-defined and established laws.
separation of powers
The division of governmental responsibilities into distinct branches to prevent any one branch from gaining too much power.
checks and balances
A system that allows each branch of a government to amend or veto acts of another branch to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.
veto
The constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a law-making body.
judicial review
The power of a court to review the actions of other branches of government and determine their constitutionality.
unconstitutional
Contrary to or failing to comply with the provisions of a constitution.
Federalism
A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units.
Enumerated powers
The powers given explicitly to the federal government by the Constitution
3/5th Compromise
A compromise between the Northern and Southern states that called for counting only 60% of it's enslaved population for representation
Reserved Powers
Any powers not prohibited by the Constitution or delegated to the national government; powers reserved to the states and denied to the federal government
Ratification
Formal approval, final consent to the effectiveness of a constitution, constitutional amendment, or treaty
Privileges and Immunities Clause
states are prohibited from discriminating against out-of-staters by denying them such guarantees as access to courts, legal protection, property rights, and travel rights.
bill of rights
first ten amendments added to constitution (December 15th 1971)
10th admendment
powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States
the privileges and immunity clause
says that the right to travel freely throughout the country is guaranteed to all citizens, but travel by aliens can be restricted
Due process clause
part of the 14th amendment which guarantees that no state deny basic rights to its people
supremacy clause
the statement in Article VI of the Constitution that federal law is superior to laws passed by state legislatures
confederation
a highly decentralized form of government; sovereign states form a union for purposes such as mutual defense
Anti-Federalist
opposers to the constitution, promotted a strong state government
writ of habeas corpus
A court order that requires police to bring a prisoner to court to explain why they are holding the person
