Lesson 10 The Constitution Vocabulary

Front

The first written plan of government for the United States; 1st Constitution of the U.S. 1781-1788 (weaknesses-no executive, no judicial, no power to tax, no power to regulate trade)

Back

Articles of Confederation

Front

a written plan that provides the basic framework of a government

Back

constitution

Front

a meeting held in Philadelphia in 1787 at which delegates from the states wrote the U.S. Constitution

Back

Constitutional Convention

Front

the group established by the Constitution to elect the president and vice president. Voters in each state choose their electors.

Back

Electoral College

Front

the plan of government adopted at the Constitutional Convention that established a two-house Congress. In the House of Representatives, representation from each state is based on state population. In the Senate, each state is represented by two senators.

Back

The Great Compromise

Front

"Father of the Constitution," Federalist leader, and fourth President of the United States.

Back

James Madison

Front

a law passed by Congress in 1787 that specified how western lands would be governed

Back

Northwest Ordinance

Front

A region of the United States bounded by the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and the Great Lakes. The region was given to the United States by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.

Back

Northwest Territory

Front

to formally approve a plan or an agreement. To officially make legal.

Back

ratify

Front

a country governed by elected representatives

Back

Republic