Building a New Nation

Front

Founding Documents

Back

Key texts that established the United States government (e.g., Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation, Constitution, Bill of Rights).

Front

Articles of Confederation

Back

The first constitution of the United States, adopted in 1781 and replaced in 1789.

Front

Constitution

Back

A body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.

Front

Federalism

Back

A system of government in which power is divided between a national (federal) government and various state governments.

Front

Separation of Powers

Back

The division of government responsibilities into distinct branches to limit any one branch from exercising the core functions of another.

Front

Checks and Balances

Back

A system that allows each branch of government to amend or veto acts of another branch so as to prevent any one branch from exerting too much power.

Front

Bill of Rights

Back

The first ten amendments to the US Constitution, guaranteeing basic rights and freedoms.

Front

Ratification

Back

The action of signing or giving formal consent to a treaty, contract, or agreement, making it officially valid.

Front

Republic

Back

A state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.

Front

Compromise

Back

An agreement or a settlement of a dispute that is reached by each side making concessions.