U.S. Constitution and Government Principles

Vocabulary flashcards defining fundamental constitutional terms, foundational compromises, and key principles of American government.

Bicameral

A two-house legislature designed to divide power between legislatures for equal power.

Compromise

An agreement between $2$ or more parties that means some demands must be dropped in order for equal demands to be met.

Great Compromise

A compromise made by Roger Sherman of Connecticut establishing a two-house legislature where each state has $2$ members in the Senate, while membership in the House of Representatives varies based on population.

3/5ths Compromise

A compromise addressing taxes and representation which established that every $5$ slaves counted as $3$ people in the population count.

Federalism

The sharing of power between the federal government and state government, where each maintains specific powers at their level.

Ratify

To approve something with your power, such as the requirement that $9$ states had to approve the Constitution for it to go into effect.

Federalist

People who supported putting the Constitution into effect.

Anti-Federalism

A movement of people who were against putting the Constitution into effect.

Checks and Balances

The power of each branch of government that allows it to limit or check the other branches.

Representative Government

A type of government where officials and representatives perform their role on behalf of the people.

Veto

A presidential power that can overtake or overrule another part of the government, such as Congress.

Popular Sovereignty

The principle, established in the preamble of the U.S. Constitution, that authority or power belongs to the people.

Separation of Powers

The constitutional principle that each of the $3$ branches of government (legislative, executive, and judicial) has different and limited powers.

Judicial Review

The Supreme Court's power to review the actions of the executive and legislative branches.