Chapter 7/8 Creating the American Republic Vocabulary

Constitution document that sets out the laws and principles of government

Confederation an alliance of independent states

Articles of Confederation the first government used in the United States from

Constitutional Convention meeting in Philadelphia where state leaders met to revise the Articles of Confederation in May of 1787

Republic a government in which citizens rule themselves through elected officials

Compromise a settlement in which each side gives up some of its demands to reach an agreement

Federalism division of governmental powers amongst the state government and the national government

Economic Depression a period when business activity slows, prices and wages fall and unemployment rises

Separation of Powers a principle of government in which powers are divided among individual and separate branches

Executive Branch this group makes sure that all the laws are carried out and put into effect and includes the President and Vice President.

Legislative Branch this group makes the laws and includes the Senate and House of Representatives

Judicial Branch this group makes sure that all laws are fair and includes the Supreme Court

Checks and Balances system where each branch of government can check or control the actions of the other branches

Census a periodic governmental count of population, helps determine the number of representatives from each state in the House of Representative

Electoral College Group of electors from every state who meets every four years to vote for the President and Vice President

Execute to carry out the laws

Bill a proposed law

Veto to reject

Due Process idea that government must follow the same rules in all cases brought to trial

Impeach to bring formal charges of wrong doing against a government official (the President)

Amend to change

Bill of Rights list of freedoms that a government promises to protect; the first 10 amendments to the Constitution