AH Unit 4 FLASHCARDS (The Constitution)

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Articles of Confederation

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A document adopted by the Second Continental Congress in 1777 and approved by the states in 1781, outlining the government of the new United States.

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Confederation

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An alliance permitting states or nations to act together on matters of mutual concern.

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Shays's Rebellion

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An uprising of debt-ridden Massachusetts farmers protesting increased state taxes in 1787.

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Great Compromise

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The Constitutional Convention's agreement to establish a two-house national legislature, with equal representation in one house and representation based on population in the other.

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Three-Fifths Compromise

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The Constitutional Convention's agreement to count three-fifths of a state's slaves as population for representation and taxation.

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Federalism

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A political system in which a national government and constituent units, such as state governments, share power.

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Legislative branch

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The branch of government that makes laws.

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Executive branch

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The branch of government that administers and enforces the laws.

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Judicial branch

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The branch of government that interprets the laws and the Constitution.

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Checks and balances

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Provisions in the U.S. Constitution that prevent any branch of the U.S. government from dominating the other two branches.