Unit 4 Vocab Flashcards

Front

Separation of powers

Back

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the powers of the other branches.

Front

Checks and balances

Back

A system in which each branch of government has the power to amend or veto acts of the other branches to prevent any one branch from having too much power.

Front

Preamble

Back

The first section of the U.S. Constitution; it lists the six purposes of government.

Front

Constitution

Back

A nation’s basic laws. It creates political institutions, assigns or divides powers in government, and often provides certain guarantees to citizens.

Front

Article

Back

A way to separate the sections of the Constitution.

Front

Amendment

Back

A change to the Constitution.

Front

The Supremacy Clause

Back

Article VI (6) of the Constitution states that federal law generally takes precedence over state laws and constitutions.

Front

Consent of the governed

Back

The people are the only source of governmental power.

Front

Rule of Law

Back

The Constitution of the United States is the supreme law of the land and all individuals are accountable under the law.

Front

Expressed powers

Back

Powers directly stated in the Constitution, such as levy taxes, make war, and regulate trade among the states.