9781422284155

Words to Understand Appeal: referral of a case to a higher court for review Certificate of certiorari: a document which a losing party files with the Supreme Court, asking the Supreme Court to review the decision of a lower Court, it includes a list of the parties, a statement of the facts of the case, and arguments as to why the Court should grant the writ Petition: a formal written request made to an official person or organized body Precedent: something done or said that serves as an example or rule to authorize or justify a subsequent act of similar kind At the end of the Revolutionary War, the 13 colonies won their freedom from Great Britain and became 13 states, but it was hard for them to work together as a country. The Articles of Confed- eration united the 13 states, but each state was still essentially independent. The states often acted in their own best interests and not for the good of the country. For example, some states taxed goods coming in from other states, which made trade between states difficult. Understanding the Constitution

The original Constitution was signed in September 1787 by 39 delegates (plus one in absentia), laying the legal foundations for the United States. It is displayed at the National Archive in Washington, D.C. At the end of each day, the display is lowered into a vault for safekeeping.

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