| A | B |
|---|
| Articles of Confederation | first form of US government |
| Constitution of the US | our current plan of government |
| amendments | changes to the constitution |
| Bill of Rights | the first 10 amendments to the Constitution |
| Virginia Plan | written by James Madison; called for 3 branches of gov. |
| Legislative Branch | lawmaking section of our government |
| Judicial Branch | decides if a law is fair and just |
| Executive Branch | President and staff who makes sure that laws are carried out |
| checks and balances | keeps one branch from getting more powerful than the other |
| Alexander Hamilton | leader of the Federalist who favored a strong national government |
| Federalist | people who supported the Constitution |
| Anti-Federalist | opposed the passing of the Constitution |
| The Great Compromise | House of Rep based on pop. of a state and Senate = representation |
| 3/5 compromise | agreement on how slaves would be counted for representation |
| constitution | basic laws of a government |
| ratify | to approve of a law |
| New Jersey Plan | this idea gave Congress just one house and easch state would only have 1 vote |
| suffrage | the right to vote |
| popular sovereignty | when the people govern a nation |
| Independence Hall | Philadelphia, PA |
| George Mason | Virginian who pushed for the Bill of Rights to be added to the Constitution |
| Lousiana Purchase | doubled size of US; bought from France |
