Constitution Vocabulary (Civics)

the opening section of the US Constitution

• Amendment

• Articles

• Preamble

• Bill of Rights

a part of the Constitution; there are 7

• Amendment

• Articles

• Preamble

• Bill of Rights

any change to the Constitution

• Amendment

• Articles

• Preamble

• Bill of Rights

the first 10 Amendments

• Amendment

• Articles

• Preamble

• Bill of Rights

the split of authority among the legislative, executive and judicial branches

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and balances

• Federalism

a system in which each branch of government is able to check the powers of the others

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and balances

• Federalism

a form of government in which power is divided between the federal, or national government, and the states

• Separation of Powers

• Checks and balances

• Federalism

powers that Congress has that are specifically listed or stated in the Constitution

• expressed or enumerated powers

• concurrent powers

• reserved powers

• implied powers

powers shared by the federal and state governments

• expressed or enumerated powers

• concurrent powers

• reserved powers

• implied powers

powers that the Constitution does not give the national government that are kept by the states. These are guaranteed by the 10th Amendment.

• expressed or enumerated powers

• concurrent powers

• reserved powers

• implied powers