The Constitution and the Bill of Rights

the Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution

popular sovereignty

the power of government comes from the people

Limited Government/Rule of Law

the government can only do what we allow them to do-nobody is above the law

separation of powers

the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government

checks and balances

each branch of government can limit the power of the other 2

federalism

power is divided between the national and state governments

legislative branch

part of government that makes laws

executive branch

part of government that carries out (enforces) the laws

judicial branch

part of the government that interprets the laws

amendment

a formal change or addition to a document

Bill of Rights

the first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect individual rights

veto

the power a President has to reject a law passed by Congress

Supreme Court

9 justices (judges) that form the highest court in the U.S.

Congress

the legislature that includes the Senate and House of Representatives

President

Head of the Executive Branch