constitution
A document that sets out the laws principles, organization and processes of a government.
bill of rights
list of freedoms that the government promises to protect
execute
to carry out (laws)
Articles of Confederation
First American Constitution which created a loose alliance of 13 states
cede
to give up (power, control)
currency
money
Land Ordinance of 1785
a system for settling the Northwest Territory
Northwest Ordinance
set up government for the NW Territory; guaranteed basic rights for settlers, outlawed slavery
depression
a period when business activity slows, prices & wages fall, and unemployment rises
Shay's Rebellion
a 1786 revolt of more than 1000 farmers in MA in reaction to high taxes
Constitutional Convention
a meeting (May 25, 1787) of state representatives to revise the Articles of Confederation
Virginia Plan
A plan that called for strong national government with 3 branches and a 2 chamber legislature; supported by the large states
legislative branch
the branch of government that passes laws
executive branch
the branch of government that carries out the laws
judicial branch
the branch of government that decides if laws are carried out fairly
New Jersey Plan
A plan that called for strong national government with 3 branches and a single chamber legislature; supported by the small states
compromise
a settlement in which each side gives up something in order to reach an agreement
Great Compromise
the plan that settled the differences between the large and the small states
Three-Fifths Compromise
an agreement that 3/5 of a state's slave population would be counted for taxation and population purposes.
Founding Fathers
the leaders who laid the groundwork for the United States
republic
a government where citizens rule themselves through elected representatives
dictatorship
a government where one person or small group holds complete authority
Magna Carta
a document from 1215 that stated that citizens had basic rights
English Bill of Rights
document that further protected citizens - right to bear arms, trial by jury and regular parliamentary elections
habeas corpus
the idea that no person could be held in prison without being charged with a crime
separation of powers
principal by which the powers of government are to be divided into 3 branches
Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution; those who favored a strong national government
Antifederalists
Those who did not support the Constitution and felt that it made the national government too strong.
The Federalist Papers
A series of essays that explained and defended the Constitution.
amend
change
Bill of Rights
First 10 amendments to the United States Constitution.