Unit I: Constitutional Foundations

Amendment

A formal change or addition to a legal document, such as the Constitution, that alters its original provisions.

Articles of Confederation

The first governing document of the United States, created a confederation of sovereign states and a weak central government.

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the United States Constitution, which guarantee individual liberties and restrict government power.

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful by providing each branch with some measure of influence over the other branches.

Constitution

The fundamental set of rules and principles that a country or organization follows to govern itself, outlining the structure of the government, its powers, and the rights of its citizens.

Cooperative Federalism

A concept in federalism where the national and state governments work together to regulate and manage shared responsibilities and resources.

Declaration of Indepenence

The document adopted on July 4, 1776, that announced the thirteen American colonies' separation from British rule, outlining grievances against King George III and asserting the colonies' right to self-governance.

Dual Federalism

A political system where power is divided between national and state governments, each with distinct responsibilities and sovereignty.

Executive Branch

The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws, headed by the President of the United States.

Federalism

A system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states.

Federalists

Political group that supported a strong national government and the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Federalist Papers

A collection of 85 articles and essays promoting the ratification of the U.S. Constitution, authored by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay.

Judicial Branch

The branch of government responsible for interpreting laws, administering justice, and overseeing the federal court system, including the Supreme Court.

Judicial Review

The power of the courts to assess whether a law is in compliance with the Constitution, allowing them to invalidate laws and executive actions that are found unconstitutional.

Legislative Branch

The branch of government responsible for making laws, which includes Congress, composed of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Madisonian Model of Government

A framework for governance proposed by James Madison, emphasizing the separation of powers among the executive, legislative, and judicial branches to prevent tyranny and protect individual rights.

Marbury v. Madison

The landmark Supreme Court case that established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Ratify

To formally approve or confirm a treaty, agreement, or amendment, making it legally binding.

Republic

A form of government in which representatives are elected to speak and act on behalf of the people, often characterized by a constitution that protects individual rights.

Separation of Powers

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another, typically involving the legislative, executive, and judicial branches.

Supremacy Clause

A provision in the US Constitution stating that federal law takes precedence over state laws when there is a conflict.

Tenth Amendment

An amendment to the US Constitution that reserves powers not delegated to the federal government for the states and the people.