The Constitution

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Across
  1. 3. construction A literal interpretation of a statute or document by a court.
  2. 4. and balances Counterbalancing influences by which an organization or system is regulated, typically those ensuring that power in political institutions is not concentrated in the hands of particular individuals or groups.
  3. 5. plan A proposal by Virginia delegates for a bicameral legislative branch.
  4. 6. They feared a federal govt with unlimited King Like Powers and wouldn't agree to it until there was a Bill of Rights added to protect the people!
  5. 10. of independence The formal statement written by Thomas Jefferson declaring the freedom of the thirteen American colonies from Great Britain.
  6. 11. of rights The first ten amendments to the Constitution of the US, ratified in 1791.
  7. 14. of powers The vesting of the legislative, executive, and judiciary powers of government in separate bodies.
  8. 16. An article added to the US Constitution.
Down
  1. 1. papers A series of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution.
  2. 2. compromise A compromise reached between delegates from southern states and those from northern states during the 1787 United States Constitutional Convention. The debate was over if, and if so, how, slaves would be counted when determining a state's total population for constitutional purposes.
  3. 4. convention A gathering for the purpose of writing a new constitution or revising an existing constitution.
  4. 7. jersey plan A proposal for the structure of the United States Government presented by William Paterson at the Constitutional Convention on June 15, 1787.
  5. 8. Defined as a system of government where there is one strong, central controlling authority, or the principles of a political party called the Federalists.
  6. 9. powers A list of items found in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution that set forth the authoritative capacity of Congress.
  7. 12. construction Allows the government to expand powers that are not specifically outlined in the Constitution as long as these powers are not specifically prohibited.
  8. 13. compromise An agreement that large and small states reached during the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that in part defined the legislative structure and representation that each state would have under the United States Constitution.
  9. 14. rebellion An armed uprising that took place in central and western Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787. The rebellion was named after Daniel Shays, a veteran of the American Revolutionary War and one of the rebel leaders.
  10. 15. of confederation The first constitution of the 13 American states, adopted in 1781 and replaced in 1789 by the Constitution of the United States.