1. Political Power
1. Articles of Confederation- Plan of government adopted by the Continental Congress. Established a “league of friendship” between the states but gave too little power to the central government.
2. New Jersey Plan- Plan presented at the Constitutional Convention that called for a unicameral (one-house) legislature that would have equal representation by the states.

2. Political Power
3. Virgina Plan- Plan presented at the Constitutional Convention that called for a three-branch system of government with a bicameral (two-house) legislature.
4. Three-Fifths Compromise- An agreement at the Constitutional convention to count a slave as three-fifths of a person when determining a population of a state.

3. Political Power
5. Connecticut Compromise – An agreement during the Constitutional Convention that Congress should be composed of a Senate (with equal population) and a House (numbers determined by the state’s population.
6. Bicameral – An adjective that describes a legislative (law-making) body that is made up of two-chambers (Senate & House of Representatives).

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7. Anti-Federalist- Those persons who opposed (were against) the ratification (signing) of the Constitution. Wanted a Bill of Rights.
8. Federalist- Those persons who supported the ratification (signing) of the Constitution. Created the Federalist Papers.

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9. Popular Sovereignty- The principle that states that people are the source of governmental power and that government can only exist when it has consent of the people.
10. Legislative Power- The power to make law and to frame (create) public policy.

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11. Executive Power- The power to execute (carry-out), enforce, and administer, law.
12. Judicial Power- The power to interpret laws, determine their meaning, and to settle disputes (disagreements) in society.

7. Political Power
13. Bill of Rights- The first ten amendments to the Constitution.
14. Representative Government - Citizens choose members to represent their interests in the federal government.

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15. Checks and Balances- The political system in which each branch of government has the power to limit the other two branches.
16. Supremacy Clause - In areas where Federal policies and State policies come into conflict, the Federal policy will supersede the state policy

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17. Enumerated Powers- Powers that are specially granted to the Federal Government by the Constitution .
18. Federalism- A system of government in which a written Constitution divides the power between central and state governments.

10. Political Power
19. The Federalist Papers- are a series of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution.
20. Concurrent Powers- Those powers that both the National Government and the States posses and excise.

11. Political Power
22. Unconstitutional- A law or governmental action that is not in compliance with the Constitution therefore it is considered illegal and must be voided (canceled.)
21. Judicial Review- The power of a court to determine the Constitutionality of a governmental law or action.

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24. Minor Party- One of the political parties not widely supported.
23. Major Parties- In American politics, the Republican and Democratic parties.

13. Political Power 26. Bipartisan- Supported by two parties.
25. Partisanship- Government action based on firm allegiance to his/her political party.

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28. Independents- A term used to describe people who have no party affiliation.
27. Two-party system- A political system dominated by two major parties.

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30. Conservatives- believe in personal responsibility, limited government, free markets, individual liberty, traditional American values and a strong national defense. 
29. Liberals- believe in government action to achieve equal opportunity and equality for all.  It is the duty of the government to alleviate social ills and to protect civil liberties and individual and human rights. 

16. Political Power
31. Gerrymandering- The drawing of electoral district lines to give advantage to the political party in control of the State’s legislature.
32.  Political Action Committee (PAC)- The political extension of special interest groups which have a major stake in public policy. 

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34. Propaganda- A technique of persuasion aimed at influencing individual or group behaviors to create a particular belief, regardless of its validity. 
33. Mass Media- Those means of communication that reach large audiences, especially television, radio, printed publications, and the Internet. 

18. Political Power
35. Lobbying- Activities by which group pressures are brought to bear on legislators, the legislative process, and all aspects of the public policy-making process.