1. Amendment

The Bill of Rights contains the original ten amendments.

Change, improvement, or addition that is made to a law or document, or the process of doing this

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2. Aristocracy

Those of the aristocracy were considered to be the wealthiest of society. 

A government in which power is in the hands of a hereditary ruling class or nobility

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3. Checks & Balances

The U.S.'s three branches are able to check each other's ruling in order to retain balance.

From Montesquieu, a fundamental democratic principle of American government which ensures that one branch does not accumulate too much power

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4. Constitutionalism

Not all democratic countries believe in constitutionalism. 

The belief that government should be based on a constitution

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5. Democracy

Despite being a prevalent form of government today, democracy dates back to Ancient Greece.

A system of government in which every citizen in the country can vote to elect its government officials

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6. Direct Democracy

Direct Democracies tends to work best in small populations/communities.

A form of government in which citizens rule directly and not through representatives

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7. Executive

The President, Vice President, and the Cabinet make up the Executive Branch.

The part of government that makes sure decisions and laws work well

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8. Federalism

The relationship between the state governments and federal government is an example of federalism in the U.S.

Belief in or support for a federal system of government

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9. Indirect Democracy

Indirect democracies tend to work better in larger populations.

Form of democracy in which individiuals are represented by appointed representatives

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10. Judicial

The Judicial Branch refers to the Supreme Court.

Relating to the law, judges, or their decision

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11. Judicial Review

The court is allowed to go over executive and/or legislative acts due to judicial review.

Power of courts to review decisions of another department or level of government

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12. Legislative

The Legislative Branch consists of the House of Representatives and the House of Senators.

An institution that has the power to make or change laws

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13. Limited Power

Governments like the United Stated have limited power due to restrictions like the Bill of Rights.

A type of government in which its functions and powers are prescribed, limited, and restricted by law

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14. Monarchy

An emperor or empress is the ruler of a monarchy.

A government ruled by a king or queen

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15. Oligarchy

Those ruled by a higher power is an example of a theocratic oligarchy.

A small group of people who run a country or organization, or a country that is run by a small group of people

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16. Popular Sovereignty

Popular Sovereignty can only be kept in tact if the people aprove.

Basic principle of the American system of government which asserts that the people are the source of any and all governmental power, and government can exist only with the consent of the governed

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17. Preamble

A preamble is similar to that of an introduction.

A statement at the beginning of a book, document, or talk, explaining what it is about

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18. Ratify

56 people ratified the Declaration of Independence.

To make a written agreement official by signing it

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19. Republic

The United States is a Republic Democracy.

A political system in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who can elect people to represent them

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20. Separation of Powers

The three branches of the U.S. government is divided as the seperation of power.

Division of governmental authority among the three branches of government: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Branch. The US Constitution uses this principle in setting the presidency, the Congress, and the courts

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21. Tyranny

The rulers of Tyrannies are known as tyrants.

Cruel or unfair control over other people and/or cruel and unfair government

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22. U.S. Bill of Rights

The first Consitutional Amendments make up the Bill of Rights.

A written statement of the most important rights of the citizens of a country, part of the U.S. Constitution

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