A plan for the US government- written in 1787
What is the constitution
The idea that every American citizen has certain freedoms that cannot be taken away
What is Individual Rights
The branch of government responsible for writing new laws
What is the Legislative Branch
The branch of government responsible for implementing (enacting) laws that are passed.
What is the executive branch
The 2 main political parties in the USA
What are Democrats and Republicans
The part of the constitution that introduces the document and states the goals of the US government
What is the preamble
The idea that government should not be all-powerful
What is limited government
The branch of government responsible for enforcing laws
What is the Judicial Branch
Another name for the Legislative branch- House and Senate
Congress
The "official" beliefs of a political party. Vote for them if you believe these things too!
What is Party Platform
The part of the const. that lays out the original rules for the US government
The idea that the powers of government should be split between local, state, and national government
What is Federalism
Name for a potential law
What is a bill
Name for when 2 major political parties have control of the government
Rules added to the constitution after its creation
What are amendments
What is rule of law
This power allows the supreme court to declare laws "unconstitutional" and remove them.
What is judicial review
This person takes over if the president dies while in office
The vice-president
What are the Democrats
The first 10 amendments to the constitution are called the
What is the Bill of Rights
Rule by the people
Popular Sovereignty
What is 15
This is the amount of Justices on the Supreme Court
What is 9
The person chosen by a political party to run for president
What is a nominee