Us History Constitution Terms

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branch of government responsible for interpreting the laws and determining whether or not they follow the Constitution. Created a national court system headed by the Chief Justice and the Supreme Court.

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Judicial branch

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group of colonists writing letters trying to gain support for protesting British grievances

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Committees of Correspondence

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a hands-off policy of weakly enforcing laws that England used its its rule of the American colonies

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salutary neglect

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religious movement in American colonies in which people we inspired to help others and believe in the equality of people, let to greater religious and political freedom

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Great Awakening

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conflict between the French and their Indian allies and the British and their American colonies over the land West of the Appalachian Mountains. Britain wins, and the war leads to large debts

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French & Indian War

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branch of government responsible for enforcing the laws made by Congress (legislative branch). Headed by the President and his appointed advisors, the Cabinet who are approved by Congress and head the departments of government such as: Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Treasury, etc.

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Executive Branch

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tax passed on printed materials to help pay off debt from French and Indian War. Colonists protest it with boycott.

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Stamp Act

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This document, signed by the Pilgrims, gave settlers the power to frame and enact laws and was the first step towards democracy in America

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Mayflower Compact

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Creating 3 branches of government (executive, judicial, legislative) each with different powers and responsibilities to balance the power out and keep any one branch from becoming too powerful.

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checks and balances

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elected official who represents the interests and needs of a particular group, region, or state

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delegate

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law placing a tax on American tea to increase incentive to buy British tea, which could help raise money to pay for the French and Indian War.

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Tea Act

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pamphlet published by Thomas Paine in 1776 to convince colonists it was time to sever ties with Britain and fight for freedom

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Common Sense

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first list of laws made in 1781 for the newly created United States. Gave all states equal power, but created no president and no judicial system

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Articles of Confederation

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Signed it 1783, formally ended the Revolutionary War and recognized United States independence.

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Treaty of Paris

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in protest of the high taxes placed on farmers to help pay off the debt from the Revolutionary War. Helped American leaders realize the Articles of Confederation didn’t work

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Shay's Rebellion

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news media such as newspapers, magazines, television ,internet, etc. are unrestricted by the government as stated in the First Amendment

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free press

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length of time an elected official serves in office. 4 years for a President, 2 years for a House Representative, 6 years for a Senator, life for a Supreme Court Justice.

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term

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10 amendments (changes or additions) to the Constitution. Added in 1791 to protect the basic rights and liberties of individuals

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Bill of Rights

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person who supported ratifying the Constitution to create a strong central (federal) government. Led by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison

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Federalist

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person opposing ratification of the Constitution because it made the central (federal) government too strong. Led by Thomas Jefferson, Mercy Otis Warren, and others.

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Anti-Federalist

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settling a difference of opinion by creating an agreement in which both sides give up some of what they want.

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compromise

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splitting powers to rule between state and federal government.

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federalism

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of limited government power in which the people choose their representatives to the government and are the ultimate source of government power

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republicanism

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group of representatives from each of the 13 colonies who met to discuss what to do about the problems of British

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Continental Congress

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document explaining why the United States was formally from Britain, it was approved by Congress on July 4, 1776.

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Declaration of Independence

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This document requires the King of England to get Parliament's approval to establish laws.

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Magna Carta

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votes cast by specially chosen Electors in each state. Their votes determine who becomes President, not the popular vote of the people.

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Electoral vote

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ability the President has to stop a Bill from becoming a Law. Can be cancelled out by a 2/3 vote in each House of Congress.

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veto

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total number of votes cast by the people in an election.

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Popular vote

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Document defining the basic principles of US government and law. Drafted in 1787.

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Constitution

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an idea that is put before Congress with the goal of it becoming a law. First step in the process of an idea becoming a law.

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bill

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branch of the government responsible for making the laws. Also known as Congress, it is made up of 2 parts: the House of Representatives with a different number of representatives from each state based on population and the Senate with 2 representatives from each state. Both must both approve a law before it can pass.

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Legislative branch