American Government Chapter 12

Constitution

A written plan which sets up a form of government and establishes its basic governing principles

Fundamental Law

just like the national constitution; the state constitution is each state’s highest law

Massachusetts

currently has the world’s oldest constitution

Preamble

introduction

Bill of Rights

rights of the people or the states

General Provisions

voting, taxes, education, etc.

Revision

a major change

Amendment

minor changes (and these are far more common)

Revision

always done through conventions; voters choose delegates who vote to make changes at conventions

Convention

similar to the constitutional convention; rarely used

Legislative

state legislative body votes to make changes; most commonly used

Initiative

citizens will initiate the amendment to be voted on during an election (referendum)

Law Enforcement

most important state government responsibility

Short

National is considered as what?

Long

State is considered as what?

Charters

Most state constitutions came from revised ___________ ?

Constitution

Massachusetts currently has the world’s oldest _?

Mansion

Many states have a ____ for the governor