| Term | Definition |
| constitution | documents that set out the basic laws, principles, organizations, and processes of government |
| bill of rights | list of freedoms that the government promises to protect. |
| Articles of Confederation | the first American constitution, which created a loose alliance of 13 independent states. |
| cede | to give up or let go. |
| currency | a system of money in use in a country. |
| Northwest Ordinance | a law creating the Northwest Territory, banning slavery there, and guaranteeing the rights of settlers |
| Shays' Rebellion | an uprising of 1786 of more than 1,000 Massachusetts settlers. |
| Constitutional Convention | the convention that gathered in 1787 and produced the U.S. Constitution. |
| Virginia Plan | a plan of government calling for three branches and two legislative houses, each with representation based on population. |
| New Jersey Plan | a plan of government calling for three branches and single legislative house, in which each state would have one vote regardless of population. |
| compromise | a solution in which each side gives up some of its demand to reach an agreement. |
| Great Compromise | a compromise plan calling for three branches and two legislative houses. |
| Three-fifths Compromise | a compromise in which three-fifths of a state's enslaved population would count toward its representation in the House of Representatives. |
| republic | a government in which citizens rule themselves through elected representatives |
| dictatorship | a government in which one person or small group holds complete authority. |
| Magna Carta | An English document enacted in 1215 that limited the powers of the king and guaranteed freedoms to English people. |
| English Bill of Rights | an English document enacted in 1689 that required regular elections to Parliament and expanded the freedoms of English people. |
| separation of powers | the idea that government should be divided into three branches legislative, executive and judicial branch to ensure that no part of government could gain too much power. |
| ratify | to approve |
| Federalist | a supporter of the Constitution who favored a strong federal government. |
| Antifederalist | A person who opposed the Constitution. |
| Federalist Papers | a collection of essays written to explain and defend the Constitution. |
| amend | to change or modify |
| bill | a proposal for a law. |
| veto | to reject or invalidate |
| override | to invalidate by overruling |
| impeach | to bring changes of serious wrongdoing against |
| Bill of Rights | the first ten amendments of the Constitution, which guarantee basic civil liberties. |
| civil | having to do with manner of affecting ordinary citizens or legal matters other than crimes. |
| constitutional initiative | a process by which sponsors of a proposed constitutional amendment collect signatures of supporters and with enough signatures, put the proposal before voters in an election. |
| infrastructure | system of transit lines, roads, bridges, tunnels, and other public structures and equipment. |
| local government | a government responsible for a county, city, town, or special district, such as a school district. |
| citizen | a person who owes loyalty to a particular nation and is entitled to all its rights and protection. |
| naturalized | having completed the official legal process for becoming a citizen as a person born outside the country granting citizenship. |
| immigrant | a person who enters another country in order to settle there. |
| resident alien | a noncitizen living in a country. |
| civic virtue | the willingness to work for the good of the nation or community even at a sacrifice. |
| patriotism | a feeling of love and devotion to one's country |
| jury duty | the responsibility to serve on a jury when called. |
| popular sovereignty | government by consent by the governed. |
| privatize | to put private individuals or companies in charge of something. |
| depression | a period where business activities, prices and wages fall, and unemployment rises |
| legacy | something received from a predecessor or from the past |
| ethical | following accepted standards for conduct or behavior |
| civic | having to with being a citizen |
| free enterprise | an economic system in which businesses compete freely with little government control |
| statue | a law or rule |
| compel | force |
| civilian | nonmilitary |
| liberty | freedom |
| infringe | to restrict or put limits on |
| incriminate | to give evidence against |
| responsibility | a duty or task one is expected to carry out |
| respect | understanding when something is serious and acting appropriately |
