Chapter 8 | Constitution | U.S. History

Vocab and Definitions - McGraw Hill Chapter 8 (Grade 8) - The Constitution

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

power belonging only to the states

concurrent power

power shared by the states and federal government

separation of power

a principle by which powers are divided among different branches of government to make sure no one branch has too much power

implied power

power not enumerated 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

first ten amendments added to the Constitution in 1791

contradict

to go against, or state the opposite

Legislative Branch

lawmaking branch of government

Executive Branch

branch of government that executes, or carries out, the law; headed by the president

Judicial Branch

the branch of government that interprets the law; it includes courts that settle disputes and questions of the law

administrate

to carry out

Supreme Court

at the top of the United States legal system. It rules on only the most difficult legal questions, and its rulings are never appealed.

Congress

the legislative branch of government. It has two houses—the House of Representatives and the Senate