| Term | Definition |
| Declaration of Independence | a document that was signed on July 4, 1776 |
| nation | an independent country with its own government |
| separation of powers | the 3 branches of governemnt are separate and distinct |
| ratification | formal approval |
| bicameral | two houses of government |
| monoply | exculsive right to sell a product |
| Tory | British supporters/ British loyalists |
| popular sovereignty | the government rests on the will of the people |
| preamble | introduction |
| Whig | Anit-British |
| militia | a unit of soliders |
| boycott | to refuse to buy |
| smuggle | to trade illegally |
| petition | a formal written request |
| Bill of Rights | first 10 amendments to the Constitution |