 | Term | Definition |
| |
compromise |
an agreement between two parties where both give up something they want |
| |
amendment |
a change or addition to an important document |
| |
article |
a part or section of the United States Constitution |
| |
Articles of Confederation |
America's first constitution, but had a very weak central government |
| |
constitution |
a formal plan of government |
| |
delegate |
a person sent to vote for a group of people / representative |
| |
depreciate |
to fall in value |
| |
depression |
a period of time when economic activity slows and unemployment increases |
| |
federalism |
the sharing of power between the state and federal government |
| |
manumission |
the freeing of individual enslaved persons |
| |
petition |
a formal request |
| |
proportional |
corresponding in size or population |
| |
ratify |
to approve |
| |
executive |
the branch of government that enforces and carries out the laws |
| |
legislative |
the branch of government that makes the laws |
| |
judicial |
the branch of government that interprets the laws and determines whether they are constitutional |
| |
Roger Sherman |
This person proposed the Great Compromise. |
| |
John Locke |
This philosopher said the government was "an agreement between the people and their ruler." |
| |
Edmund Randolf |
This person proposed the Virginia Plan. |
| |
James Madison |
The "Father" and primary writer of the U.S. Constitution. |
| |
George Washington |
The leader of the Constitutional Convention. |
| |
George Mason |
The person who proposed a Bill of Rights to be added to the U.S. Constitution. |
| |
Enlightenment |
Movement in the 1700s that claimed science, reason, and knowledge would better society. |
| |
Electoral College |
The body that elects the President. |
| |
Federalist |
A person in support of a new United States Constitution. |
| |
Anti-Federalist |
A person opposed the United States Constitution. |
| |
republic |
A type of government where citizens rule through elected representatives. |
| |
Daniel Shays |
The person who led a revolt of farmers against he government. |
| |
Northwest Ordinance |
This law helped to stop the spread of slavery to the west. |
| |
bicameral |
term meaning 'two-house' legislature |
| |
Great Compromise |
This compromise came up with a bicameral legislature in order to please both the large population and small population states. |
| |
Three-Fifths Compromise |
This compromise said that only a fraction of the slaves in southern states could count toward total population. |
| |
House of Representatives |
legislative body where representatives are based on population |
| |
Senate |
legislative body where every state is equally representatives regardless of population |
| |
separation of powers |
the separation of power in American government into three unique branches |
| |
checks and balances |
the system where each branch of government has a check or 'limit' over the other branches of government |
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