General Government and Legislative Terms

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Constitution

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A written document outlining the fundamental principles and structure of a government.

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Bill of Rights

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The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution; also a section in the Ohio Constitution that protects individual freedoms.

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Separation of Powers

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The division of government into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

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Checks and Balances

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A system that ensures no one branch of government becomes too powerful.

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Federalism

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

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Bicameral

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A legislature with two chambers (e.g., U.S. Congress and Ohio General Assembly).

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Congress

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The legislative branch of the U.S. government, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.

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General Assembly

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The legislative branch of Ohio’s government, consisting of the Ohio House of Representatives and Ohio Senate.

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Senator

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A member of the Senate, serving in either the U.S. Congress (6-year term) or Ohio General Assembly (4-year term).

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Representative

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A member of the House of Representatives, serving in either the U.S. Congress (2-year term) or Ohio General Assembly (2-year term).