The Constitution: A More Perfect Union

A set of vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the Constitution and the structure of the U.S. government.

Preamble

The introduction to the Constitution that begins with 'We, the people' and signifies that government power comes from the people.

Articles

The parts into which the Constitution is organized.

Three branches of government

Legislative, Executive, and Judicial branches.

Congress

legislative branch, made up of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

Senators

Each state has 2 senators no matter how big it is

Representatives

The number of representatives in the House is based on the population of the state.

Main job of Congress

To make laws.

Executive branch

President and the Vice President.

Veto

The power of the president to reject a law passed by Congress.

Judicial branch

interprets the laws, court system

Judicial review

The power of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional.

Amendments

Changes to the laws or Constitution.

Request for an amendment

Congress can propose changes to the Constitution.

Checks and balances

A system designed to prevent any one branch of government from becoming too powerful.

Federalism

The sharing of power between national and state governments.

Majority rule

The idea that decisions are based on what most of the people want.

Supreme Court justices

selected by the President