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Vocabulary list Articles of Confederation – the first constitution of the United States Bill of rights – the first ten amendments to the constitution Checks and balances – the sharing and balancing of power among different branches of the government Common good – for the good of the community as a whole Consent of the governed – the people agree to obey the laws and the government they create Constitution – a set of rules and laws that tells how a government is organized and run Constitutional government – a government in which the powers of the ruler or rulers are limited by a constitution Delegate (noun) - a person picked to act for you or represent you Dictatorial government – a government in which the rulers have unlimited power Executive branch – the branch of government that carries out the laws made by the legislative branch Framers – the delegates to the Philadelphia Convention of 1787 House of Representatives – one house of Congress where the number of representatives is based on population Judicial branch – the branch of government that interprets and applies the laws and settles disputes Legislative branch – the branch of government that makes or creates the laws Right to liberty – the right to be free Limit – a restriction or boundaries Natural rights – basic rights as those of life, liberty, property Ordinance – an order of law made by government Right to property – the right to own property Representative – a person picked to act or speak for you Republican government – a government in which the power is held by the people who elect their representatives to run the government for the common good Senate – one house of Congress where each state has to members Separation of powers – the division of powers among the different branches of government Social contract – an agreement among the people to set up a government and obey its laws |