Articles of Confederation/Creating the Constitution

Articles of Confederation

A weak constitution that governed America during the Revolutionary War.

Ratified

formally approved

Legislative Branch

the branch of government that makes the laws

Executive Branch

the branch of government that carries out laws

Judicial Branch

the branch of government that interprets laws

Inflation

A continuous rise in the price of goods and services

ordinances

local laws

Shay's Rebellion (1786)

Daniel Shays, a veteran of the Continental Army, led a rebellion of poor farmers in Massachusetts who demanded debt relief and lower taxes

Northwest Territory

lands northwest of the Appalachians, covered by the Land Ordinance of 1785

delegate

A person appointed or elected to represent others

Constitution

A written plan of government

compromise

a settlement of differences in which each side gives up something

Veto

to reject a bill and prevent it from becoming a law

Preamble

Introduction to the Constitution

Separation of Powers

The idea that the powers and duties of government are divided among separate branches of government.

Checks and Balances

A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power

Alexander Hamilton

Member of Congress and a lawyer, later became the Secretary of Treasury

The Great Compromise

1787; This compromise was between the large and small states of the colonies. Each state, regardless of size, would have 2 senators in the House of Representatives.

majority rule

A system set up by the Constitution which means that decisions are made by a majority of the people voting.