Vocabulary Activity 7

Constitutiton

A plan of government

bicameral

A two-house legislature (Congress: House of Representatives and the Senate)

unicameral

A one-house legislature

republic

A government in which citizens rule through elected representatives

petition

To apply for something

depreciate

To fall in monetary value

depression

A period when economic activity slows and unemployment increases

manumission

The freeing of individual enslaved persons

proportional

Corresponding in size

Enlightenment

A movement of the 1700's that spread
the idea that knowledge, reason, and science could improve society

Federalist

Supporter of the new Constitution

Compromise

An agreement between two or more sides, in which both or all sides must give something up.

Amendment

An addition or change to a document, such as the Constitution.

ordinance

A law or regulation

ratify

To give official approval

Legislative Branch

The branch of government that makes the nations laws: Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Legislators = Lawmakers! Hint: think L & L!

bill

proposed law

Executive Branch

The branch of government headed by the president (Chief Executive) that carries out the nations laws (can either veto or sign bills and policies into law. This branch also includes the vice president and the cabinet.

Judical Branch

The branch of government, including the federal courts system, that interprets the nations laws. The Supreme Court is the highest court in the land and has the power of judicial review to ensure laws comply with the Constitution.

federalism

The sharing of power between federal and state governments

Electoral College

A special group of voters, selected by their states voters, to vote for the president and vice president

article

A part of a document, such as the constitution, that deals with a single subject.

checks and balances

The system in which each branch of government has a check on the other 2 branches so that no one branch becomes too powerful