Federalism

A system in which power is divided between the national and state governments

Great Compromise

Compromise made by Constitutional Convention in which states would have equal representation in one house of the legislature and representation based on population in the other house

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

naturalized citizen

A person born in another country who has been granted citizenship

natural born citizen

someone who was born in the U.S. or born to U.S. citizens

Constitutional Convention

The meeting of state delegates in 1787 in Philadelphia called to revise the Articles of Confederation. It instead designed a new plan of government, the US Constitution.

New Jersey Plan

The proposal at the Constitutional Convention that called for equal representation of each state in Congress regardless of the state's population. Favored by smaller states

Virginia Plan

Large state" proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.

Legislative Branch

the branch of government that makes the laws

Executive Branch

the branch of government that enforces laws

Judicial Branch

the branch of government that interprets laws

US Senator

Legislative Branch member who represents the interests of the citizens in the entire state for 6 years per term with no term limits. Must be 30 years old

U.S. Representative

Legislative Branch member who represents the interests of the citizens in their district of a state for 2years per term with no term limits. Must be 25years old

U.S. President

Executive Branch member who represents the interests of the citizens in the entire country to the world for 4years per term with 2 term limits. Must be 35 years old

US Supreme Court Justice

9 justices, lifetime appointment in the Judicial Branch, nominated by the president, approved by the Senate. No age restrictions