Articles of Confederation Vocabulary

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Articles of Confederation

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The first plan of government of the U.S. In effect from 1781 to 1789, it gave more power to the states than the central government.

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Constitution of the United States

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A written plan of government developed by the delegates at the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

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James Madison

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Fourth President of the U.S.; author of The Federalist Papers; known as the 'Father of the Constitution'.

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Great Compromise

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The plan drawn up by Roger Sherman at the Constitutional Convention in 1787. It proposed the establishment of two houses of Congress: Senate and House of Representatives. It settled the argument between the big states and the little states.

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Bill of Rights

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The first ten amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791.

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Amendment

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An addition to the Constitution.

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Federal system (federalism)

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A system of government in which power is shared between the central government and the state governments. The U.S. has a federal system of government.

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Checks and balances

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The system in which the power of each branch of government is balanced by the powers of other branches.

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Legislative branch

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The law-making part of government, with the power to raise the money needed to run the government. (Congress-House of Representatives and Senate - passes laws; approves spending and taxes)

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Executive branch

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The part of the government, headed by the President, that carries out the laws. (the President)