Dec of Ind, Articles of Confed, & Constitution

Key Terms Study Guide

Independence

Something being free from unwanted power.

Overthrow

Remove forcibly or with violence from power

Override

Grievances

To protest or complain about something that is unfair

Unalienable

Certain rights that cannot be taken away

Treason

Being disloyal or betraying one’s country or government

Checks and Balances

A system that ensures that no one branch can become too powerful

Executive Branch

President + Advisors - Control laws of the land

Judicial Branch

Supreme Court + Other federal courts - Judge things and decide on the constitutionality of laws and resolve problems

Legislative Branch

House + Senate/Congress - Makes all laws and declares wars

Separation of Powers

Division of responsibilities among the three branches to ensure equal power

Ratification

The official way to confirm something usually through vote

Amendment

A change or addition to a document

Constitutional Convention

A formal meeting held to create the new constitution

Federalist

The group who supported the new constitution

Anti-Federalists

The group against the new constitution