Chapter 7 Vocabulary

constitution

Document that sets out the laws and principles of a government

execute

Carry out

bill of rights

Document that lists freedoms the government promises to protect

Economic depression

Period in which business activity slows, prices and wages falls and unemployment rises

Legislative branch

Branch of government which makes the laws

Executive branch

Branch of government which carries out the laws

Judicial branch

Branch of government which determines if laws are fair

compromise

Settlement in which each side gives up some of its demands in order to reach an agreement

republic

Nation in which voters elect representatives to govern them

Separation of powers

System is which the power of the government is divided among separate branches

federalism

Division of power between the states and national government

Electoral college

Group of electors from each state that meets every 4 years to vote for the President and Vice President

Checks and balances

System set up by the constitution in which each branch of the federal government has the power to control the actions of the other branches

bill

Proposed law

veto

reject

override

Overrule. Congress can override a President’s veto if two thirds of both houses vote to do so.

impeach

Bring formal charges against an elected official

amend

change

Due process

Right of every citizen to the same fair rules in all cases brought to trial

Representative government

System of government in which voters elect representatives to make laws for them

ratify

approve

federal

national

veto

reject

unconstitutional

Not permitted by the Constitution

amendment

Formal written change (to the Constitution)

precedent

Example set for later people to follow

cabinet

Group of people who head government departments and advise the President

Judicial review

Power of the Supreme Court to decide whether laws passed by Congress are Constitutional