Chapter 8 vocab

SS

Popular Sovereignty

the belief that government is subject to the will of the people

Limited Government

idea that a government may only use the powers given to it by the people

Enumerated Power

Power specifically given Congress in the Constitution

Reserved Power

authority belonging only to the states

Concurrent Power

Power shared by the states and federal government

Separation of Powers

the division of authority among executive, legislative, and judicial branches to make sure no one branch has too much power

Implied Power

Authority not specifically mentioned in the Constitution but suggested in its language

Judicial Review

power of the Supreme Court to say whether any federal, state, or local law or government action goes against the Constitution

Due Process

the legal rules and procedures established by law and guaranteed by the Constitution that the government must observe before depriving a person of life, liberty, or property

Equal Protection

the equal application of the law regardless of a person's race, religion, political beliefs, or other qualities

Naturalization

the process of becoming a citizen of another country

Diminish

to reduce, make smaller

Bill of Rights

Ten amendments that were added to the Constitution in 1791. They guarantee basic freedoms and liberties to the people.

Contradict

To go against or state the opposite

Legislative Branch

Two houses- The House of Representatives has 435 voting members who must be 25 years old and serve a two-year term. No limits on terms. The number representatives from each state varies depending on the state's population. The Senate has 100 Senators- 2 from each state. Must be 30 yrs. Old and serve a 6-year term. No term limit. Congress makes the laws. President signs a bill

Executive Branch

Led by the president and vice-president. Serve a 4-year term. It also includes the president's cabinet members and top advisors to the president. The main job is to administrate or carry out the laws passed by Congress. The president's powers are directing foreign policy, naming ambassadors and negotiating treaties with the other nations. Commander and chief of armed forces

Judicial Branch

This branch holds the court system. Congress creates lower courts such as district courts, appeals courts, and other federal courts. The Supreme Court is in this branch as well.

Administrate

To carry out

Supreme Court

Today it is made up of nine justices- the chief justice and 8 associate justices. They stay until they retire or die. They are nominated by the president and approved by Congress. They have the power of judicial review. They are at the top of the U.S. legal system

Congress

The legislative branch of government. It is made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate. They make the nation's laws. They can declare war. Both houses must agree on a bill.