1. U.S. Government Terms

2. Mayflower Compact
Agreement signed by Pilgrims before landing at Plymouth in 1620

3. Declaration of Independence
Written in 1776 by Jefferson
Stated that colonies were free and independent of Britain
Based on ideas of John Locke

4. Articles of Confederation
First plan of government
Set up a weak central government
Replaced by Constitution

5. Great Compromise
The plan for a 2 house legislature that settled differences between large and small states over representation in Congress

6. Constitution
A body of laws setting out the basic principles, structures, process and functions of government
U.S. Constitution was signed in 1787

7. Legislative Power
Lawmaking power
                                                                                          

8. Executive Power
Power of the executive branch to carry out laws

9. Judicial Power
Power of judicial branch to interpret laws

10. Popular Sovereignty
Basic principle that the people are the only source of any and all government power
Power of people to vote for their leaders

11. Federalism
A system of government in which authority is divided between national and state governments

12. Delegated powers
Powers given by the Constitution to the national government and denied to state governments

13. Reserved Powers
Those powers held by the states in the federal system

14. Concurrent Powers
Powers shared by the national and state governments

16. Supremacy Clause
Section of Constitution which makes it and federal laws the “Supreme law of the land”

17. Separation of Powers
The principle that gives the powers of making, enforcing, and interpreting laws to separate legislative, executive, and judicial branches

18. Checks and Balances
                                                            
System in which each branch of government has the power to limit the actions of the other branches

20. Elastic Clause Basis for the implied powers of Congress
a statement in the U.S. Constitution granting Congress the power to pass all laws necessary and proper for carrying out the enumerated list of powers (Article I, Section 8 ).

21. Amendment
A change to the Constitution
                                                               

22. Electoral College
Assembly elected by voters to formally elect the president

23. Judicial Review
Power of Supreme Court to determine the constitutionality of acts of legislative and executive branches

24. Unwritten Constitution
Political practices that are not part of the Constitution
Cabinet system
Political parties
                                                           

25. Cabinet
A group of people chosen by the president to be advisors

26. Political Parties
Groups that seek to control the government through the winning of elections and holding public office
               

27. Bill of Rights 1st 10 Amendments to the Constitution
Deals mostly with civil rights (liberties)
1st Freedom of religion, speech, press, petition, and assembly
2nd The right to bear arms and form a militia
3rd No quartering of soldiers in private houses during peace time i.e. No Declaration of War has
been announced
4th Searches and seizures; warrants
5th Due process; Self-incrimination; Double jeopardy (Can't be tried for the same crime twice)
6th Rights of the accused, Right to a speedy public trial
7th Right to trial by jury in civil cases
8th No excessive bail & fines or cruel & unusual punishment
9th Unemunerated rights (i.e., rights not listed) retained by the people
10th Powers reserved to the states or to the people

28. Due Process Rights
Constitutional guarantee that government will not deprive any person of life, liberty or property by any unfair, arbitrary, or unreasonable action

29. Equal Protection Rights
A right guaranteed under the 14th Amendment
No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.