Constitution

written plan for government

bicameral

divided into 2 parts, or houses

confederation

group of individual state governments that

band together for a common purpose

ratified

approved

Constitutional Convention

meeting of state delegates in 1787 leading

to adoption of new Constitution

Great Compromise

agreement providing a dual system

of congressional representation

Three-Fifths Compromise

agreement providing that enslaved persons

would count as 3/5 of other persons

in determining representation in Congress

Electoral College

group of people who would be named by each state legislature to select the president

and vice president

federalists

supporters of the Constitution

Federalism

form of government in which power is divided 

between the federal, or national, 

government and the states

Anti-Federalists

people who opposed the Constitution

Preamble

intro to the Constitution that states the goals

and purposes of the government

legislative branch

has law making powers; Congress

executive branch

law enforcing branch;

headed by a President and a vice president

judicial branch

interprets the laws and sees that they're applied fairly

amendment

any change in the constitution

Popular Sovereignty

the notion that power lies with the people 

rule of the law

the law applies to everyone, even those who govern

seperation of powers

the split of authority among the 3 branches

checks and balances

a system in which each branch of government is able to check, or restrain the power of others

expressed powers

powers that Congress has that are specifically

listed in the Constitution