TCI Social Studies Unit 4 Lessons 14 & 15

Articles of Confederation

the document that set up the first government of the United States; the government had weak, limited power

cabinet

a group of advisors to the president, including the heads of important departments in the executive branch

checks and balances

the system under which each branch of government limits, or checks, the powers of the other branches

compromise

an agreement in which each side gives up some of what it wants

Constitution

the document that describes how the U.S. government works

Constitutional Convention

the meeting called by the states in 1787 to improve the Articles of Confederation that instead wrote a new constitution

Executive branch

the branch that carries out, or executes, laws

Impeach

to accuse or charge a government official, such as the president, with a crime or misconduct

Judicial Branch

the branch that interprets laws and settles disagreements about them

Legislative Branch

the branch that makes laws

Veto

to reject a bill and prevent it from becoming a law, a power that belongs only to the president

Shay's Rebellion

the men were fighting to save their homes.

James Madison

had a plan for a strong central government

The Great Compromise

an agreement between small states and large states

After impeachment of a government official...

the Senate holds a trial

amendment

a change to the Constitution

Bill of Rights

the first ten amendments to the Constitution that protect the rights and freedoms of people in the United States

civil

noncriminal, or involving disputes about property, money, or other matters

due process

the legal requirement that the state must respect a person's legal rights and follow proper legal procedures

jury

a group of citizens who are chosen to decide the outcome of a trial

prejudice

having a negative judgment or opinion of something or someone that is not based on facts

ratify

to approve; to make a written document official by signing it

Ratifying the Constitution

needed to be approved by 9 states

First Amendment

right to free speech - protects citizens from criticizing the government.

Second Amendment

right to carry guns - because states had volunteer armies

Fourth Amendment

protects people against unreasonable search and seizure.