Chapter 6 Vocab Flashcards
Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)
Plan to have a popularly elected House based on state population and a state-selected Senate, with two members for each state. Equal representation for the Senate, House of representatives is based on population, meaning it is Bicameral.
Alien and Sedition Acts
Series of four laws enacted in 1798 to reduce the political power of recent immigrants
Checks and Balances
A system that allows each branch of government to limit the powers of the other branches in order to prevent abuse of power. They didn’t have to work together
Pinkney’s Treaty
A treaty between the US and Spain where Spain gave up all claims to land east of the Mississippi River and agreed to open up the river to traffic, and to allow U.S. traders to use the port of New Orleans.
Separation of Powers
Constitutional division of powers among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, with the legislative branch making law, the executive applying and enforcing the law, and the judiciary interpreting the law. There are things that are exclusive to the President, and the other branches of government that the others can’t do
The Federalist Papers
A collection of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison under the name “Publius” to defend the Constitution in detail.
Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions
Resolutions passed in 1798 that attacked the Alien and Sedition Acts as being unconstitutional
Virginia Plan
“Large state” proposal for the new constitution, calling for proportional representation in both houses of a bicameral Congress. The plan favored larger states and thus prompted smaller states to come back with their own plan for apportioning representation.
Whiskey Rebellion
In 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled against Hamilton’s excise tax on whiskey, and several federal officers were killed in the riots caused by their attempts to serve arrest warrants on the offenders. In October, 1794, the army, led by Washington, put down the rebellion. There wasn’t actually any fighting. The incident showed that the new government under the Constitution could react swiftly and effectively to such a problem, in contrast to the inability of the government under the Articles of Confederation to deal with Shay’s Rebellion.
Alexander Hamilton
1789-1795; First Secretary of the Treasury. He advocated creation of a national bank, assumption of state debts by the federal government, and a tariff system to pay off the national debt.
Antifederalists
they are against a strong federal government and for stronger state governments. Patrick Henry was one
Federalists
for the ratification of the constitution and for a central government. Alexander Hamilton, Jon Jay, James Madison
Bill of Rights
The first ten amendments to the Constitution - Anti-Federalists like it
Federalism
a form of government in which power is shared between the federal or national government and the states
James Madison
“Primary Father of the Constitution,” Federalist with reservations, and fourth President of the United States.
