Articles of confederation- the original constitution of the US, ratified in 1781, which was replaced by the US Constitution in 1789.
republic- a state in which supreme power is held by the people and their elected representatives, and which has an elected or nominated president rather than a monarch.
Enlightenment- the action of enlightening or the state of being enlightened.
Constitution- a body of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is acknowledged to be governed.
Ratify- sign or give formal consent to (a treaty, contract, or agreement), making it officially valid.
federalism- the federal principle or system of government