Constitution Vocabulary

1. Amendment: A revision/change to a bill, law, or constitution. Sentence: The First Amendment in the US constitution protects our right to freedom of speech. 2. Anti-Federalists: Opposed the adoption of the U.S. Constitution b/c it gave too much power to the national government at the expense of the state government and it lacked a bill of rights Sentence: To Antifederalists the proposed Constitution threatened to lead the United States down to political corruption. 3. Articles of Confederation: The compact among the thirteen original states that established the first government of the United States. Sentence: The Articles of Confederation were adopted by the Continental Congress. 4. Bill of Rights: The first ten amendments to the Constitution. Sentence: The bill of rights prevents the national government from tampering with rights and liberties.

5. Checks and balances: A government structure that gives each branch some scrutiny of and control over the other branches. Sentence: With checks and balances, each of the three branches of government can limit the powers of the others. 6. Confederation: A loose association of independent states that agree to corporate on specified matters. Sentence: In a confederation, the states retain their sovereignty. 7. Connecticut Compromise: Legislative branch-2 houses-one based on population, one based on equal representation. Sentence: The Connecticut Compromise provided for the bicameral legislative branch. 8. Constitution: The document setting forth the laws &principles of the government; a plan of govt. Sentence: The constitution has been much more effective in securing order and freedom.

9. Continental Congress: was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies. Sentence: When the First Continental Congress met in 1774, the members expressed their frustration with King George and his unfair laws. 10. Declaration of independence: the document that proclaimed the right of the colonies to separate from Great Britain. Sentence: The declaration of independence was drafted by Thomas Jefferson. 11. Electoral College: A body of electors chosen by voters to cast ballots for president and vice president. Sentence: The Electoral College represents a state’s population. 12. Enumerated Powers: The powers explicitly granted to Congress by the Constitution. Sentence: Enumerated powers belong only to the federal government. 13. Executive Branch: The law enforcing branch of government. Sentence: The executive branch is one of the three branches in our system of government in the United States of America. 14. Extraordinary Majority: A majority greater than the minimum of 50 percent plus one. Sentence: An extraordinary majority is a higher majority used in special cases. 15. Faction: groups acting in pursuit of an interest (can be a subgroup) that often precede formation of political parties Sentence: Members of factions band together as a way of achieving these goals and advancing their agenda. 16. Federalism: the division of power between a central government and regional government. Sentence: George Washington was a firm believer in the political concept of federalism. 17. Federalists: Supported a strong central government &expanded legislative powers Sentence: Federalist is often capitalized because it was the name of a major political party in the early years of the United States. 18. Great Compromise: a plan calling for a bicameral legislature in which the House of Representative would be apportioned. Sentence: The delegates accepted the Great Compromise. 19. Implied powers: those powers that Congress needs to execute its enumerated powers. Sentence: Implied powers clearly expand the enumerated powers conferred on Congress. 20. Judicial Branch: the law interpreting branch of government. Sentence: Members of