Unit 3 Vocabulary

Legislature• Assembly of elected members with the power to

amend, pass, and repeal laws in the government

Parliament• A type of legislature used in countries who model

their government after the United Kingdom (Westminster System)

Precedent• A legal decision serving as an authoritative rule• Justification for situations

Common Law • The system of law based on custom or court

decisions• Law originating in England

Mercantilism • Economic theory• The prosperity of a nation is dependent upon its

supply of capital (earnings)

Boycott • to abstain from buying or using

Repeal • To revoke or annul (law, tax, duty) by legislative

enactment

Confederation • Permanent union of sovereign states• Union of 13 original US states under the Articles of

Confederation • 1781-1789

Ratify • To confirm/pass

Amend • To alter, modify, or rephrase

Legislative Branch

• Branch of government that makes the laws• Also known as Congress• Only branch of government listed in the Articles of

Confederation• Two Houses– House of Representatives– Senate

Judicial Branch • Branch of government that interprets the laws• System of courts• Supreme Court

Executive Branch • Branch of government that passes the laws

(executes)• President

Enlightenment• Time period when liberty, democracy,

republicanism, and religious tolerance became emphasized

Preamble• Introductory statement in a document • Explains the purpose and philosophy of the

document• Constitution

Article• Section of the Constitution• 7

Amendment• A change made to a law, bill, or motion