US Constitution Vocabulary

Articles of Confederation

• the first written agreement that created a loose alliance between the 13 original American states

• a person who opposed a strong national government

Constitutional Convention

• a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and smaller political units like states

• a meeting held in 1787 to discuss and create the framework for the government of the United States

Great Compromise

• an agreement during the Constitutional Convention that established a two house legislature with different representation methods

• the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution

Preamble of the Constitution

• a person who opposed a strong central government

• the introductory statement that outlines the purpose and guiding principles of the US Constitution

Principles

• fundamental ideas or beliefs that guide actions and decisions within a system or organization

• the idea that the authority of the government comes from the consent of the people it governs

Popular Sovereignty

• personal freedoms and protections

• the idea that the authority of the government comes from the consent of the people it governs

Individual Rights

• personal freedoms and protections

• the division of government responsibilities into two distinct branches to prevent any one group from gaining too much power

Separation of Powers

• the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution that protect individual liberties and rights

• the division of government responsibilities into two distinct branches to prevent any one group from gaining too much power

Bill of Rights

• a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and smaller political units, like states

• the first 10 amendments of the US Constitution that protect individual liberties and rights

Federalism

• a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and smaller political units, like states

• a previous case or decision that serves as a model for future similar situation in law