Chapter 3 Vocabulary

Chapter 3 Vocab 1. Preamble- Introduction to the Constitution 2. articles- Numbered sections in the Constitution 3. constitutionalism- government must be conducted according to constitutional principles 4. rule of law- concept of limited government 5. separation of powers- Powers of a governing body are separated into different branches 6. checks and balances-each branch is subject to a number of constitutional checks by the other branches 7. veto-the act of rejecting a Congress bill 8. judicial review-power of courts to determine whether what the government does is in accord with what the Constitution provides 9. unconstitutional- to declare illegal, null and void 10. federalism- the division of power among a central government and several regional governments 11. amendment- a change in written words to the Constitution 12. formal amendment-changes or additions that become part of the written language of the Constitution itself 13. Bill of Rights- the first Ten amendments to the Constitution 14. informal amendment- changes that are added to the Constitution 15. executive agreement-pact made by the President directly with the head of a foreign state 16. treaty- formal agreement between two or more sovereign states 17. electoral college-group that makes the formal selection of the nation’s President 18. Cabinet- an advisory body to the President 19. senatorial courtesy-Senate will approve only those presidential appointees who are acceptable to the senator or senators of the President’s party from the State involved

B.J. Gehlhausen