Articles of Confederation
the document that set up the first government of the United States. The government had limited powers.
Constitutional Convention
the meeting called by the states in 1787 to improve the Articles of Confederation that instead wrote a new constitution
constitution
a document that describes how a government will work
checks and balances
the system under which each branch of government limits, or checks, the powers of the other branches
legislative branch
the branch that makes laws: to legislate is to make laws
executive branch
the branch that carries out, or executes, laws
judicial branch
the branch that interprets laws and settles disagreements about them; "judicial" comes from the word judge
compromise
an agreement in which each side gives up some of what it wants
cabinet
a group of advisors to the president, including the heads of important departments in the executive branch
impeach
to accuse or charge a government official, such as the president, with a crime or misconduct
veto
To reject a bill and prevent it from becoming a law, a power that belongs only to the president
monarchy
a form of government in which a ruler holds power for life
rule of law
a set of public laws that apply to all people equally, with no one getting special treatment
republic
a form of government in which citizens elect representatives who are responsible to the people