Unit 1 Termz/Facts Flashcards
3/5 Compromise
Def:⅗ of the African American slave population would be accounted for when appointing representatives for states
Why: resolved the issue of counting slaves towards population in regards to representation in the House of Representatives.
Articles of Confederation
Def: the original constitution of the US, ratified in 1781. Replaced by the Constitution.
Why: created as a governing agreement among the 13 original colonies/states to fight the Revolution and establish some limited federal power.
Commerce Clause
Def: clause in the Constitution that states Congress should have power to regulate commerce with foreign nations, among the states, and with Native Americans
Why: it is Congress’ greatest control over what occurs in various states throughout the country
Concurrent Powers
Def: These are powers shared both by state and federal governments that include: regulating elections, taxing, borrowing money, and establishing courts
Why: powers may be exercised simultaneously within the same territory and in relation to the same body of citizens
Confederation
Def: government in which states are sovereign and national government is only allowed to enforce what the state permits or an alliance of independent states
Delegated Powers
Def: gov. Powers that limit what Congress can do and what they can regulate
Why: the power to coin money. regulate commerce with foreign nations. regulate interstate commerce
Elite Politics
Def: Theory that political power is upheld by a small group of wealthy, privileged people that share similar values
Why: Elitist people do not have interest in representing other people and are concerned with problems of the people within their own class
Hyperpluralism
Def: A political or social group forms and pool their power in such a way that they influence politicians to legislate favorably in the group’s interest
Why: Can lead to a stalemate and groups can become stronger and weaken the gov.
Pluralism
Def: engagement of active diversity within a body of gov. That allows for a peaceful coexistence in all aspects of belief
Why: has major influence on our society and policy-making decisions of today
Direct Democracy
Def: People govern themselves and vote on issues as individual citizens
Why: downside is that everyone had to participate. That is why America uses indirect Dem.
Divided Government
Def: Gov. where one party controls the presidency and another one controls the Congress
Why: leads to gridlock, no legislature would be passed Democrats control executive and Republicans control Congress
Enumerated Powers
Def: powers of the federal government that are specifically described in the Constitution are sometimes called ‘delegated’ or ‘expressed powers
Why: include: taxation, coinage of money, regulation of commerce, and authority to provide for national defense
Expressed Powers
Def: Powers of the gov. That are explicitly written or spelled out
Why: These powers give Congress the authority to set policy on the most basic matters of war and peace
Federal System v. Unitary System
Def: unitary government puts power into the central gov. Where federal systems the power is divided into federal and local (state) gov.
Why: Unitary systems include parliament Federal systems include the U.S.
Federalists/ Anti-Federalists
Def: Federalists support a strong federal government, whereas anti-federalists do not
Why: Major reason why our Constitution wasn’t passed right away, separation between groups
