Chapter 2 Defs Flashcards
(34 cards)
constitution
A document Text sets out the fundamental principles of government and establishes the institutions of government
republics
Government Ruled by representatives of the people
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
Created A Union of sovereign states in which the state were supreme
unicameral
government with only one legislative house or chamber
Shay’s Rebellion
Rebellion led by Daniel Shays of farmers in western Massachusetts in 1786-1787, protesting mortgage foreclosures
Constitutional Convention
A meeting which how to fix the articles of confederation, Resulted in the new constitution
writ of habeas corpus
a court order to a person or institution holding someone in custody to deliver the imprisoned person to the court.
bills of attainder
legislation that imposes punishment on a specific person or group of people without a judicial trial.
ex post facto laws
law that imposes criminal liability or increases criminal punishment retroactively
Virginia Plan
a proposal for a new form of government and called for the number of votes each state received in Congress to be based on population
The New Jersey Plan
a unicameral Congress where each state would be represented equally, one vote per state.
Grand Committee
Committee organized at the Constitutional Convention that was created to solve
Great (Connecticut) Compromise
compromise provided for a bicameral legislature, with representation in the House of Representatives according to population and in the Senate by equal numbers for each state.
bicameral
The system of having two chambers within one legislative body
Three-Fifths Compromise
three-fifths of the enslaved population would be counted for determining direct taxation and representation in the House of Representatives
Compromise on Importation
Congress would not be allowed to restrict slave trade until 1808
separation of powers
Constitutional division of powers, no one branch can become too powerful
checks and balances
Each branch has powers that can prevent other branches from making policy
federalism
The Sharing of power between national government and states
legislative branch
in charge of making laws
expressed or enumerated powers
those powers explicitly, or expressly, identified in the Constitution
commerce clause
A clause in the US Constitution that gives Congress the power to regulate commerce between states and with foreign nations.
necessary and proper or elastic clause
section of the U.S. Constitution that allows Congress to make laws that are necessary for carrying out its other powers.
implied powers
political powers granted to the United States government that aren’t explicitly stated in the Constitution
