The Visionaries 2

Articles of Confederation

• the nation's first constitution, which was drafted in 1777 and created a framework for a loose confederation of states

• the plan of government of the United States, drafted by the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to replace the Articles of Confederation

• a body made up of electors from each state who cast votes to elect the president and vice president

bicameral legislature

• the system by which each branch of the federal government can limit, or check, the power of the others

• a lawmaking body made up of two houses

• a body made up of electors from each state who cast votes to elect the president and vice president

checks and balances

• the system by which there is no balance, or check, to the power of the others

• the system by which the president can limit, or check, the power of the others

• the system by which each branch of the federal government can limit, or check, the power of the others

Constitutional Convention

• the convention held in Philadelphia in 1787 to draft the Constitution of the United States

• a body made up of electors from each state who cast votes to elect the president and vice president

• the approval of a plan of government or of a constitutional amendment

Constitution of the United States

• the plan of government of the United States, drafted by the Constitutional Convention in 1787 to replace the Articles of Confederation

• the compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention on representation in Congress, with each state represented equally in the Senate and with representation in the House based on state population

• the nation's first constitution, which was drafted in 1777 and created a framework for a loose confederation of states

Electoral College

• a body made up of electors from each state who cast votes to elect the president and vice president

• the system by which each branch of the federal government can limit, or check, the power of the others

• a lawmaking body made up of two houses

Separation of powers

• the division of government power into executive, legislative, and judicial branches

• the compromise reached during the Constitutional Convention on representation in Congress, with each state represented equally in the Senate and with representation in the House based on state population

• the system by which each branch of the federal government can limit, or check, the power of the others