Constitution Vocabulary and Lecture

Define Articles of Confederation

• The part of government that carries out (executes) the laws

• A written plan that provides the basic framework of a government.

• The first written plan of government for the United States.

• The law making part of government called the legislature.

Define Bill of Rights

• The part of government consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts that interprets laws

• The constitutional system that shares power between the state and the national government.

• To formally approve a plan or an agreement.

• A formal listing of the basic rights of citizens

Define New Jersey Plan

• A change to the Constitution

• The law making part of government called the legislature.

• This plan called for a strong central government. This plan's representation is based on population. This plan also was favored by large states.

• This plan called for representation to be based on all states having equal votes, regardless of population or size of the state. This plan was favored by small states.

Define Impeach

• System that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.

• To formally approve a plan or an agreement.

• The group established by the Constitution to elect the President and Vice President. Voters in each state choose their electors.

• To formally accuse an official of a crime related to official duties.

Define Ratify

• The part of government that carries out (executes) the laws

• To formally approve a plan or an agreement.

• The constitutional system that shares power between the state and the national government.

• The law making part of government called the legislature.

Define Amendment

• A change to the Constitution

• To reject a proposed law or bill. Only the President can do this.

• The constitutional system that shares power between the state and the national government.

• A formal listing of the basic rights of citizens

Define Virginia Plan

• To formally accuse an official of a crime related to official duties.

• This plan called for representation to be based on all states having equal votes, regardless of population or size of the state. This plan was favored by small states.

• This plan called for a strong central government. This plan's representation is based on population. This plan also was favored by large states.

• System that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.

Define Veto

• To formally accuse an official of a crime related to official duties.

• To reject a proposed law or bill. Only the President can do this.

• The part of government that carries out (executes) the laws

• The part of government consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts that interprets laws

Define Constitution

• The first written plan of government for the United States.

• A change to the Constitution

• System that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches.

• A written plan that provides the basic framework of a government.

Define Executive Branch

• The part of government that carries out (executes) the laws

• The part of government consisting of the Supreme Court and lower federal courts that interprets laws

• The law making part of government called the legislature.

• To formally approve a plan or an agreement.