| A | B |
|---|
| amendment | something that is added to an original |
| Articles of Confederation | The United States plan of government that was used from 1781 through 1789 |
| Battle of Tippecanoe | 1811 battle between American soldiers and Tecumseh's soldiers |
| Bill of Rights | the first 10 Amendments to the United States Constitution |
| delegate | a representative of a state |
| electoral college | the body that elects the President of the United States |
| executive branch | part of the United States government that includes the President |
| Federalist | a person who believed that the new United States needed a strong central government |
| judicial branch | part of the government that includes the court system |
| legislative branch | part of the government that includes the Senate and the House of Represenatives |
| neutral | to not take a side in a fight |
| Northwest Territory | area of land that became Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, and Wisconsin |
| ratify | to approve |
| Republic | a kind of government in which the citizens vote and help make decisisions in the nation |
| United States Constitution | government document that tells exactly what each branch of government is allowed and not allowed to do |
| bicameral | two houses of the legislative branch of government |
| economic depression | a period of time when business activity slows down and unemployment increases |
| Constitutional Convention | a 1787 meeting in Philadelphia during which the United States Constitution was written |
| veto | action by which an executive rejects a bill submitted by legislature; to refuse to approve |
| compromise | an agreement acceptable to both sides |
| seperation of powers | the division of power among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government |
| federalism | system of government between national and state governments |
| electoral college | represenatives of voters in each state who select the President and Vice President |
| checks and balances | system set up in the Constitution where each branch of the government has some authority over the other |
| impeachment | to bring formal charges against a federal or state public official with the intent of removing the official from office |
| amendment | alteration, or written change, to a document |
