U.S. Constitution Vocab

Ratify

Sign or give formal consent to ( a treaty, contract, or agreement) , making it officially valid

Federalists

A person who supports a system of government in which several states unite under a central authority

Anifederalists

Individuals that opposed the creation of a stronger U.S. federal government

Constitution

A written plan for government

Bill of Rights

A formal statement of the fundamental rights of the people of the United States

The Federalist Papers

A series of 85 essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay written in support of the Constitution

Delegate

A person designated to act for or represent another or other, as in political convention

Federal

Union of states under central government, distinct from the individual governments of the separate states

Republic

A government in which the citizens elect leaders to represent them

Ordinance

An authoritative rule or law

Confederation

A type of government in which separate groups of people join together, but local leaders still make many decisions in the group.

Amendment

Making a change to the Constitution

Inauguration

The official ceremony to make someone President

Democracy

A government in which the people have then power to make political decisions

Legislative Branch

The branch of government having the power to make laws the legislature

Executive Branch

The branch of government charged with the execution and enforcement of laws and policies and the administration of public affairs

Judicial Branch

The branch of government charged with the interpretation of laws and administration of public affairs

Veto

The power in one branch of a government to cancel or postpone the decisions, enactments, etc., of another branch

Checks & Balances

The system of checks and balances is used to keep the government from getting too powerful in one branch

Unconstitutional

Not according to or agreeing with the constitution of a country or government

Supreme Court

A federal court; the highest body in the judicial branch

Congress

The legislative branch of the United States federal government composed of the House of Representatives and Senate

Preamble

The introductory part of the Constitution, stating its purpose, aims, and justification

Bill

A proposed law