U.S Constitution Vocab

Amendment

Amendment

An official or formal change made to a law or any other legal document

Articles of Confederation

An agreement among the thirteen original states of the United States that served as the first Constitution

Bill of Rights

The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the U.S are collectively known as the Bill of Rights

Constitution

A document that embodies the laws and principles by which the United States is governed

Constitutional Convention

A gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an exsisting one

Bicameral

A two-tier legislative system comprimising the Senate and the House of Represenatives

Democracy

A rule by the people. A system of government, where, the citizens elect their representatives by voting.

Monarchy

A form of government in which one person, the monarch such as the king or queen rule the kingdom or empire

Preamble

The opening statement to the United States Constitution. It explains why the framers made ojur government a republic

Ratification

Ratification is the official way to confirm something, usually by vote

Impeachment

A process by which a legislative body levels charges against a government official

Double Jeopardy

It is a constitutuional clause, that protects a person from being charged twice for the same crime, either be an acquittal or a conviction

Self-incrimination

The act of being forced or coerced to testify against oneself

Suffrage

A franchise to the citizens to choose their leader in an election by voting

Veto

The constitutional right to reject a decision or proposal made by a lawmaking body

Enumerated powers

Powers that are listed in the Constitution and granted tp the congress

Judicial review

Power of the courts of a country to examine if the actions of the government are constistent with the Consitution

Servitude

The state of being a slave or completely subject to someone more powerful

Senate

The upper house tof the United States Congress, to which two members are elected from each state by popular vote for a term of six years

House of represenatives

The lower house of the United States Congress. It is less powerful than the senate.