Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
31 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
constitution |
document that sets out the laws, principles, organization, and processes of a government |
|
|
bill of rights |
written list of freedoms that a government promises to protect |
|
|
execute |
to carry out |
|
|
Articles of Confederation |
first American constitution, passed in 1777, which creatd a loose alliance of 13 independent states |
|
|
cede |
to give up |
|
|
currency |
money |
|
|
Land Ordinance of 1785 |
law setting up a system for settling the Northwest Territory |
|
|
Northwest Ordinance |
a 1787 article that set up a government for the Northwest Territory, guaranteed basic rights to settlers, and outlawed slavery there |
|
|
depression |
period when business activity slows, prices and wages fall, and unemployment rises |
|
|
Shay's Rebellion |
a 1786 revolt in Massachusetts led by farmers in reaction to high taxes |
|
|
Constitutional Convention |
gathering of state representatives on May 25, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation |
|
|
Virginia Plan |
plan at the Constitutional Convention, favored by the larger states, that called for a strong national government with three branches and a two-chamber legislature |
|
|
legislative branch |
branch of government that passes laws |
|
|
executive branch |
branch of government that carries out laws |
|
|
judicial branch |
branch of government that decides if laws are carried out fairly |
|
|
New Jersey Plan |
plan at the Constitutional Convention, favored by smaller states, that called for three branches of government with a single-chamber legislature |
|
|
compromise |
settlement in which each side gives up some of its demands in order to reach an agreement |
|
|
Great Compromise |
plan at the Constitutional Convention that settled the differences between large and small states |
|
|
Three-Fifths Compromise |
agreement at the Constitutional Convention that three fifths of the slaves in any state be counted in its population |
|
|
Founding Fathers |
James Madison, Thomas Jefferson, and other leaders who laid the groundwork for the United States |
|
|
republic |
system of government in which citizens choose representatives to govern them |
|
|
dictatorship |
government in which one person or small group holds complete authority |
|
|
Magna Carta |
signed in 1215, a British document that contains two basic ideas: Monarchs themselves have to obey the laws, and citizens have basic rights |
|
|
English Bill of Rights |
a 1689 document that guaranteed the rights of British citizens |
|
|
habeas corpus |
the right that no person can be held in prison without first being charged with a specific crime |
|
|
separation of powers |
principle by which the powers of the government are divided among separate branches |
|
|
federalists |
supporter of the Constitution, who favored a strong federal, or national, government |
|
|
antifederalists |
people who opposed the Constitution and a strong national government |
|
|
The Federalist Papers |
series of essays by Federalists James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay in support of ratifying the Constitution |
|
|
amend |
change |
|
|
Bill of Rights |
first 10 amendments in United States constitution |
