| A | B |
|---|
| constitution | plan of government |
| legislative branch | lawmaking branch of government |
| bicameral | two house legislature |
| executive branch | branch of government that carries out the laws |
| bill of rights | document listing essential freedoms guaranteed to all citizens |
| Articles of Confederation | our first constitution |
| ratify | to officially approve |
| republic | government in which people elect officials to represent them |
| economic depression | period of time when business activity slows down and unemployment increases |
| veto | when a bill is rejected |
| compromise | agreement acceptable to both sides |
| separation of powers | divison of power among the legislative,executive,andjudicial branches |
| federalism | system in which power is divided between national and state governments |
| Constitutional Convention | 1787 meeting in Philadelphia during which the U.S. Constitution was written |
| electoral college | representatives of voters in each state who pick the President and Vice-President |
| checks and balances | system in which each branch of the government makes sure the other two branches don't become too powerful |
| impeachment | charges brought against an official to remove the official from office |
| amendment | a change made to a document |
