| A | B |
|---|
| constitution | A plan of government |
| bicameral | A two-house legislature |
| republic | A government in which citizens rule through elected respresentatives |
| petition | To make a formal written request |
| ordinance | A law |
| depreciate | To fall in value |
| depression | A period of slow economic activity and increased unemployment |
| manumission | The freeing of individual enslaved persons |
| proportional | To match up in size |
| compromise | An agreement between two or more sides in which each side gives up some of what it wants |
| Enlightenment | Movement of the 1700s that promoted knowledge, reason, and science as means to improve society |
| federalism | Sharing power between federal and state governments |
| article | Part of the Constitution |
| legislative branch | Lawmaking branch of the government |
| executive branch | Branch of government headed by the president that carries out laws and policies |
| Electoral College | Special group of presidential electors |
| judicial branch | Court system that enforces the laws |
| checks and balances | The roles the three branches of government have to ensure that no single branch can dominate the government |
| ratify | To approve |
| Federalist | Supporters of the new constitution |
| Antifederalist | Those who opposed ratifying the new constitution |
| amendment | something added to a legal document |
