The Purpose & History of U.S. Government: Vocabulary

representative government

(republican government)

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

• A political system in which elected leaders exercise power and work in the interests of the people

• A political system in which government powers are restricted, usually by a written constitution

• The power and authority to form military units to protect the country from its enemies

separation of powers

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

• The health, peace, and safety of citizens

• The idea that government powers should be split between two or more strongly independent branches to prevent any one person or group from gaining too much power

• The rights and liberties that all people have by virtue of being human

natural rights

(individual rights)

• The power and authority to form military units to protect the country from its enemies

• The rights and liberties that all people have by virtue of being human

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

• A political system in which government powers are restricted, usually by a written constitution

limited government

• A government based on a written constitution

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

• A political system in which government powers are restricted, usually by a written constitution

• The idea that government powers should be split between two or more strongly independent branches to prevent any one person or group from gaining too much power

Preamble

• The power and authority to form military units to protect the country from its enemies

• The opening paragraph of the U.S. Constitution; defines the broad purposes of the republican government created by the Constitution

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

• The health, peace, and safety of citizens

justice

• The power and authority to form military units to protect the country from its enemies

• The health, peace, and safety of citizens

• Fairness in the way that people are dealt with; giving each person what he or she deserves

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

domestic tranquility

• Peace and quiet at home

• The rights and liberties that all people have by virtue of being human

• The idea that government powers should be split between two or more strongly independent branches to prevent any one person or group from gaining too much power

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

common defense

• The health, peace, and safety of citizens

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one

• The power and authority to form military units to protect the country from its enemies

• The rights and liberties that all people have by virtue of being human

general welfare

• The opening paragraph of the U.S. Constitution; defines the broad purposes of the republican government created by the Constitution

• The rights and liberties that all people have by virtue of being human

• The health, peace, and safety of citizens

• The power and authority to form military units to protect the country from its enemies

posterity

• All future generations of people

• The rights and liberties that all people have by virtue of being human

• The health, peace, and safety of citizens

• The act of uniting or joining two or more things into one