US Government Basics

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Articles of Confederation

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The document that set up the first government of the United States; the government had limited power.

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Constitutional Convention

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The meeting called by the states in 1787 to improve the Articles of Confederation that instead wrote a new constitution.

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Constitution

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A document that describes how a government will work.

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Legislative Branch

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The branch that makes laws.

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Executive Branch

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The branch that carries out, or executes, laws.

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Judicial Branch

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The branch that interprets laws and settles disagreements about them.

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Compromise

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An agreement in which each side gives up some of what it wants.

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Cabinet

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A group of advisors to the president, including the heads of important departments in the executive branch.

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Veto

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To reject a bill and prevent it from becoming a law, a power that belongs only to the president.

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Checks and Balances

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The system under which each branch of government limits, or checks, the powers of the other branches.