U.S. History and Government Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms, historical figures, and constitutional principles from the lecture notes.

Ratified

Officially approved or accepted.

Sovereign

Having the highest authority or power to govern itself.

Recession

A period when the economy declines.

Federalism

A system where power is divided between the federal and state governments.

Bill

A proposed law that is considered by Congress.

Due Process

The government must follow fair procedures before taking away a person's life, liberty, or property.

Judicial Review

The power of courts to decide whether laws or government actions are constitutional.

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution that protect individual rights and freedoms.

Popular Sovereignty

The idea that government gets its power from the people.

Impeach

To formally charge a government official with wrongdoing.

Cabinet

A group of top advisers who help the president run the executive branch.

Revenue

Money the government collects.

Bond

A certificate showing the government borrowed money and promises to pay it back with interest.

Implied Powers

Powers not specifically written in the Constitution but considered necessary for the government to carry out its powers.

Agrarianism

The belief that farming and agriculture should be part of the foundation of society and the economy.

Alien

A person living in a country who is not a citizen.

Sedition

Speech or actions encouraging opposition to the government.

Nullification

The idea that a state can declare a federal law unconstitutional.

Alexander Hamilton

Founding Father who supported the Constitution and helped write the Federalist Papers.

James Madison

Founding Father who played a major role in creating the Virginia Plan, helped write the Constitution, and later became the 4th president.

John Jay

Became the first Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.

Daniel Shays

Former Revolutionary War soldier who led Shays' Rebellion.

Constitutional Convention

Meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 where delegates created a new Constitution to replace the Articles of Confederation.

Francis Scott Key

Wrote the words to the Star-Spangled Banner after seeing the American flag over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

John Adams

George Washington's vice president and the 2nd president of the United States.

Great Compromise

Agreement that created a two-house Congress, where the House of Representatives is based on population and the Senate provides equal representation.

Three-Fifths Compromise

The compromise that resulted from the dispute between Northern and Southern states over counting enslaved people in the population for representation.

Republicanism

Principle of the Constitution where people elect representatives to make decisions for them.

Limited Government

Principle of the Constitution stating the government only has the powers given to it by the Constitution.

Separation of Powers

Principle of the Constitution where government power is divided among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Checks and Balances

System where each branch can limit the powers of the other branches so no branch becomes too powerful.

Individual Rights

Principle of the Constitution that protects basic freedoms and rights of citizens.

Alien and Sedition Acts

Laws that caused concern because Madison and Jefferson believed they threatened individual freedoms and gave the federal government too much power.