Constitution Vocabulary Flashcards
Amend
To change
Anti federalist
Opponents of the constitution during the debate over its ratification
Opposed strong central government
New Jersey plan
Plan that supported states representation In congress to be equal
Bill of rights
First ten amendments to the constitution
Checks and balances
System in which each of the branches of federal government can check the actions of the other branches
Executive branch
The branch of government, headed by the president that enforces the laws
Federalist
Supporters of the constitution during the debate over its ratification
Favored strong national government
The great compromise
The compromise at the constitutional convention calling for a two house legislature with one house on the basis of population and the other representing states equally
James Madison
Father of the constitution
Virginia plan
Plan that supported representation in congress to be based on the states population
Ratify
To approve
Republic
Government run by the people through their elected representatives
Separation of power
Allotting of powers within a federal government among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches
3/5 compromise
The compromise calling for three fifths of a stated slave population to be counted for the purposes of legislative representation
Articles of confederation
The first written plan of that in 1781 established a limited national government in the United States
Later replaced by the constitution of the United States
