Chapter 2 Flashcards
(22 cards)
Articles of Confederation
America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for America’s national government until 1789 (page 44)
confederation
a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government (page 44)
Virginia Plan
a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state (page 48)
New Jersey Plan
a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population (page 48)
Great Compromise
the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population but linked representation in the House of Representatives to population (page 50)
Three-Fifths Compromise
the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats, every slave would be counted as three-fifths of a person (page 51)
bicameral
having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses; distinguished from unicameral (page 52)
checks and balances
mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches; major examples include the presidential veto power over congressional legislation, the power of the Senate to approve presidential appointments, and judicial review of congressional enactments (page 52)
electoral college
the electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president (page 52)
Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people (page 52)
separation of powers
the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making (page 52)
federalism
a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments (page 52)
expressed powers
specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress (Article I, Section 8) and to the president (Article II) (page 54)
elastic clause
The concluding paragraph of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution (also known as the “necessary and proper clause”), which provides Congress with the authority to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its enumerated powers. (page 54)
judicial review
the power of the courts to review and, if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional; the Supreme Court asserted this power in Marbury v. Madison (1803) (page 55)
supremacy clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties are the supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision (page 56)
Federalists
those who favored a strong national government and supported the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787 (page 60)
Antifederalists
those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government and who were opponents of the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787 (page 60)
Federalist Papers
a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay supporting ratification of the Constitution (page 60)
tyranny
oppressive government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority (page 61)
limited government
a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution (page 62)
amendment
a change added to a bill, law, or constitution (page 64)
