| A | B |
|---|
| Constitution | a detailed written plan for government |
| executive branch | the branch of government that carries out laws |
| preamble | the opening section of the Constitution |
| bicameral | a legislature consisting of two parts or houses |
| judicial branch | the branch of government that interprets laws |
| rule of law | principle that the laws applies to everyone, even those who govern |
| confederation | a group of individuals or state governments |
| federalist | supporters of the Constitution |
| separation of powers | the split of authority among legislative, executive, and judicial branches |
| legislative branch | the law making branch of government |
| anti-federalist | those who opposed ratification of the Constitution |
| checks and balances | a system in which each branch of government is able to check or restrain the power of others |
| enlightenment | movement that spread the idea that reason and science could improve society |
| legislature | a group of people who make laws |
| social contract | an agreement among people in a society with a government |
| monarch | king or queen |
| compact | an agreement or contract among a group of people |
| Pilgrims | colonial puritans who considered themselves on a religious journey |
| common law | a system of law based on precedent and customs |
| colony | a group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country elsewhere |
| mercantilism | the theory that a country should sell more goods to other countries than it buys |
| document | a written paper that provides information or proof of something |
| natural rights | freedoms of people possess relating to life, liberty, and poverty |
| boycott | the refusal to purchase certain goods |
