distribution of power between Federal and state governments

each branch of gov't is subject to certain restraints by the other two

allowed a House of Rep. based on population and gave equal representation the in the Senate

Wrote the Bill of Rights and contributed the most to the creation of the Constitution

to officially approve a bill or law

those against the ratification of the Constitution

branch of government that makes laws

set of rules or principles that guide a nation's government

self-government based on the will of the people

gov't power is divided among three branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial

first ten amendments of the Constitution granting specific freedoms to citizens

branch of government that enforces the laws

branch of government that interprets the laws

Federal government (Washington D.C.) has only the power that the constitution gives it

Gave the states too much power, required the drafting of a new plan - the Constitution.

a series of letters written in support of the ratification of the Constitution

supporters of the Constitution who wanted a strong central government