Unit 2 Vocab

Bill

A proposal or a document

Federal

Relating to the central national government created by the Constitution

ratification

Formal legal approval or adoption

sovereignty

The ultimate power and authority to make laws either directly or through representatives; in a democracy, sovereignty lies in the people

Concurrent

Simultaneous, coexisting

preamble

introductory part, especially the opening of the Constitution, which begins "We the people"

Implied

Understood, unspoken

Checks and balances

divisions of power among the three branches of the federal government so that each branch may limit actions and power of the others.

cabinet

The advisors to the President who also manage the principal executive departments of the U.S government. The Cabinet is not mentioned in the Constitution, but has grown over time from custom and practice.

politics

The practice of government; the art of winning control of public opinion.

Majority

A number greater than half

Law

A rule or regulation

Veto

Action by an executive official preventing the enactment of a legislative act. A veto by the President can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of Congress.

Override

To reverse, ignore or abolish

bicameral

Two house, as in two house legislatures (Senate and House of Representatives)

federalists

A group of colonists who advocated the Constitution be ratified upon its writing because a Bill of Rights wasn't needed since states already had them.

Anti-federalists

Group of colonists who advocated the constitution be ratified only after a Bill of Rights was added

habeas corpus

A document issued by a judge to protect citizens from being thrown in jail without a valid reason (except in times of war)

Amendment

A physical change to the Constitution, in writing

Federal Executive Branch

President, enforces federal laws

Federal Legislative Branch

Congress, creates federal laws

Federal Judicial Branch

Supreme Court, interprets any laws

Congress

Name given to the legislative branch of the federal government. But it also the common nickname of the House of Representatives.

State/Local Executive Branch

Governor or Mayor, etc., enforces local laws

State/Local Legislative Branch

Called different things in each state, creates local laws

State/Local Judicial Branch

Called different things in each state, interprets local laws