Chapter 7 Vocab Flashcards
Bill of rights
List of freedoms that the government promises to protect.
Constitution
A document that sets out the laws, principles, organization, and processes of a government.
Execute
Carry out, the laws.
Articles of Confederation
First American constitution, passed in 1777, which created a loose alliance of 13 independent states.
Cede
Gave up
Currency
Money
Law of Ordinance of 1785
Law setting up a system for settling the Northwest Territory
Depression
A 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 25th, 1787, to revise the Articles of Confederation.
Virginia Plan
Plan at the Constitutional Convention that called for a strong national government with three branches and a two-chamber legislature
Legislative Branch
A branch of government that passes laws
Executive Branch
A branch of government that carries out laws
Judicial Branch
A branch of government decides if the laws are carried out fairly
New Jersey Plan
Plan at the Constitutional Convention favored by smaller states, that called three branches of government with a single-chamber legislature
Compromise
A settle 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 slaves in a state would be counted in its population.
Founding fathers
Leaders who laid the groundwork for the United States
Republic
A government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives
Dictatorship
A government in which one person or a small group hold complete authority
Manga Carta
Signed in 1215, a British document that contained 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 English citizens
Habeas Corpus
The idea that no person could be held in prison without first being charged with a specific crime
Separation of Powers
Principle by which the powers of government are divided among separate branches
Federalists
Supporters of the Constitution
Antifederalists
Opposers of the Constitution
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 to the United States Constitution
Ratify
To approve