09. The Constitution: A More Perfect Union

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the delegates or writers of the Constitution who wanted a central government that would be strong and lasting, but not so strong that it endangered people's freedoms.

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The Framers (9)

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the parts of the Constitution divided into numbered sections that present topics in a careful order.

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articles (9)

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the name given to describe how the Constitution has the combination of strength and flexibility that helps to explain why it has survived for so long.

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"living document" (9)

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the introduction to the Constitution which explains the reasons for the new government.

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Preamble (9)

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the idea that the authority of government comes from the people.

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popular sovereignty (9)

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the phrase in the Preamble which lists the goals of the new government including building a country that could take advantage of the strengths the states gained from working together.

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"form a more perfect union" (9)

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the phrase in the Preamble that the framers included because Americans wanted to be ruled by laws, not by the might of soldiers or the decisions of king and that the same laws would apply to all people.

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"establish justice" (9)

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the phrase in the Preamble which aims to have peace and order so that if the new system worked well, people would not fight the government or each other.

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"insure domestic tranquility" (9)

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the phrase in the Preamble in which the national government would be responsible for protecting Americans from foreign invaders, which would allow for stronger protection than if each state had its own army and navy.

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"provide for the common defense" (9)

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this phrase in the Preamble means that the new government could support an economy and society in which people could prosper.

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"promote the general welfare" (9)

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this phrase in the Preamble means that the framers of the Constitution wanted Americans to enjoy freedom then and in the future.

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"secure the blessing of liberty to ourselves and our posterity" (9)

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the lawmaking part of the government.

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legislative branch (9)

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having two lawmaking parts of the legislative branch of government.

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bicameral (9)

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the name given to the bicameral (two-part) national legislature.

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Congress (9)

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elected officials of Congress who serve six-year terms so that they can enjoy some independence and thoughtfulness from the day-to-day opinions of voters.

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members of the Senate (9)

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elected officials of Congress who serve two-year terms so that they have to face the voters much more often and in this way, they are more responsive to the changing wishes of the voters.

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members of the House (9)

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a count of the population called by the Constitution taken every ten years to determine the number of representatives for each state.

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census (9)

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the name given by the framers for the members of the House of Representatives because they could be younger than the Senators.

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"lower house" (9)

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the name given by the framers for the Senate because they thought that its members are supposed to be wiser and more experienced.

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"upper house" (9)

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a direct vote by the people.

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popular vote (9)

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a proposed law.

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bill (9)

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to reject a proposed law or a bill that only the president has the power to exercise.

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veto (9)

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money set aside by Congress for a government project.

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appropriates (9)

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the part of government that carries out the laws.

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executive branch (9)

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another name for the head of the executive branch or the president.

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Chief Executive (9)

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a solemn promise made by an elected or appointed official.

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oath of office (9)

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the name or title the president uses as head of the nation's military forces.

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Commander-in-Chief (9)

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official representatives appointed by the president to other country.

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ambassadors (9)

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one of nine judges appointed to the highest court of the land.

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Supreme Court justices (9)

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organizations within the executive branch of government to carry out its duties.

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"departments" (9)

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an organization within the executive branch that handles relations with other nations.

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State Department (9)

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an organization within the executive branch which is involved in law enforcement as well as in court actions.

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Justice Department (9)

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a formal group of advisers to the president composed of heads of each executive departments.

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Cabinet (9)

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an organization within the executive branch of government that oversees the Food and Drug Administration.

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Department of Health and Human Services (9)

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a specialized agency within the Department of Health and Human Services that works to ensure that foods and medicines meet safety standards that have been set by Congress.

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Food and Drug Administration (9)

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to formally accuse an official of a crime related to official duties.

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impeach (9)

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the "supreme law of the land" which means that no other laws or actions by the government can conflict with it.

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Constitution (9)

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the part of government, consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts, that interprets the laws.

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judicial branch (9)

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the country's highest court which interprets the Constitution.

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Supreme Court (9)

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a part of the judicial branch of the government created by Congress to meet the nation's judicial needs.

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"inferior courts" (9)

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one of the two main sets of the inferior federal courts divided into large geographic districts covering several states that first hears most cases.

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district courts (9)

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one of two main sets of the inferior federal courts that review cases already heard.

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appellate courts (9)

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also known as the appellate courts, it only considers whether the original trial was fair and legal.

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Courts of Appeal (9)

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appointed official of the courts who hears arguments and decides on cases.

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justices (9)

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the power, defined by the Supreme Court, to decide whether laws and actions by the legislative and executive branches conflict with the Constitution.

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"judicial review" (9)

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the system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.

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checks and balances (9)

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changes to the Constitution.

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amendments (9)

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the first ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing specific rights to citizens.

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Bill of Rights (9)

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the Constitutional amendment that made slavery illegal.

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13th Amendment (9)

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the Constitutional amendment that guaranteed women the right to vote.

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19th Amendment (9)

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the Constitutional amendment that gave the right to vote to all citizens over the age of 18.

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26th Amendment (9)

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the Constitutional system that divides power between the national and state government.

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Federalism (9)