Chapter 14 Key Terms

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

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

A document that describes how a government will work

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

The branch that makes laws

The branch that carries out laws.

The branch that interprets laws and settles disagreements about them.

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

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

To accuse or charge a government official, such as the president, with a crime or misconduct