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U.S constitution Flashcards

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1
Q

Constitution

A

A detailed written plan for government.

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2
Q

Bicameral legislature

A

Divided into two parts, or houses.

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3
Q

Confederation

A

A group that comes together for a common purpose.

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4
Q

Articles of Confederation

A

The first plan of government for the U.S

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5
Q

Ratify

A

To approve

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6
Q

Ordinance

A

A law

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7
Q

Ordinance of 1785

A

A law that sets rules for surveying and selling land in the northwest territory.

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8
Q

Northwest ordinance

A

A law that sets rules for governing the new territory.

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9
Q

Shays rebellion

A

Armed uprising in which farmers attacked a federal building in Massachusetts

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10
Q

Three fifths compromise

A

Included part of the slave population in the calculating representation in the House.

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11
Q

Electoral college

A

A special group of electors

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12
Q

Federalist

A

Supporters of the constitution in the debate about ratifying.

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13
Q

Federalism

A

The constitution would create a system in which power is divided between the federal or nation government and the states.

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14
Q

Federalist papers

A

Essays that defended the constitution

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15
Q

Anti federalist

A

People who apposed the constitution

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16
Q

Preamble

A

The introduction to the constitution. The preamble states the purpose of the constitution

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17
Q

Article

A

The second part of the constitution. This described how the government will be set up.

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18
Q

Legislative branch

A

The branch that has the power to make laws.

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19
Q

Executive branch

A

This branch carries out laws and makes sure laws are obeyed.

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20
Q

Judicial branch

A

This branch is made up of the Supreme Court and lower courts

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21
Q

Amendment

A

The last part of the constitution. Hesse are changed that have been added over time.

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22
Q

Supreme Court

A

Has the final authority on interpreting the Constitution.

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23
Q

Abolition of slavery

A

Change that was made through a constitutional amendment.

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24
Q

Article 1 of constitution

A

Describes the power of the legislative branch.

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25
Article 2 of the constitution
Describes the power of the executive branch
26
Reserved powers
Powers that can only be exercised by state governments
27
Supremacy clause
Statement in the constitution that makes national law more powerful than state law.
28
Implied powers
Powers of congress that are not specifically listed in the constitution.
29
Concurrent powers
Powers exercised by both the national and state government.
30
Why did the founders decide not to change the Articles of Confederation but to create a new form of government?
The Articles were weak and flawed and created a weak government.
31
The Virginian plan contained the main features of the federal government today, including ...
Three separate branches.
32
The great compromise proposed by a committee headed by roger Sherman called for...
A two house congress .
33
In addition to compromising slavery, delegates from northern and southern states also compromised on the power of the government to...
Control trade.
34
A major objection to the constitution by the anti federalists was
The lack of a bill of rights.
35
The constitutional convention met in the building now called independence hall in the city of..
Philadelphia
36
By diving the national government more power than the states, the constitution created a system of government called...
Federalism..
37
The founders did not fully trust the people to elect state president so they put that decision in the hands of the...
Electoral college
38
James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay explained why they supported the new constitution in. Series of articles known as..
The federalist papers
39
Federalists won approval of the constitution by saying they would add to it a..
Bill of rights
40
What sorts of people attended the constitutional convention in 1877?
Educated and wealthy delegates.
41
Each state gets one vote, so no matter how many delegates attend the convention. Why?
So it sounds equally fair for everyone.
42
A simple majority of seven votes passes a measure. Why?
So no more people can vote.
43
Discussions are secret and un-attended by the public. Why?
So the delegates could speak freely without people interfering.
44
Why did small states fear the Virginia plan?
They thought a large congress would ignore them,
45
Name two features of the New Jersey plan .
It called for a congress with one house. Each state would have one vote.
46
What made the great compromise acceptable to both large and small states?
It had a senate and a house of Represenitives.
47
At the time of the constitutional convention, southern states wanted to include African Americans in population counts. Why did the northern states oppose the measure?
They didn't want the southern states having more power.
48
The north says...
Congress should regulate foreign trade and trade between states.
49
The north agrees that..
Congress could not tax imports.
50
The south says.
Congress would use this power to tax exports. Southern economy depends on exports. Congress might try to stop traders from bringing more slaves into the south.
51
The south agrees that..
Congress could regard the trade between the state as well with other countries.
52
Who were the federalists and what were their arguments in support of the proposed constitution?
They supported the constitution and they believed it would make a system in which power is divided.
53
In the opinion of the anti federalists, what important measures were missing from the proposed constitution
A bill of rights
54
What compromise finally made the constitution the law of the land.
Trades.
55
To form a more perfect union..
To unite the states so they can operate a single nation.
56
To establish justice..
To protect the rights of the citizens and of future generations.
57
To insecure domestic tranquility
To maintain peace and order in society
58
To provide the common defense..
To protect the country and its citizens from attack.
59
To promote the general welfare..
To make certain that all citizens are treated equally.
60
To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity..
To help people live healthy, happy and prosperous lives.
61
Article purpose 1
To form a more perfect union
62
Article purpose 2
To establish justice
63
Article purpose 3
To ensure domestic tranquility
64
Article purpose 4
To province for the common defense..
65
Article purpose 5
To promote the general welfare.
66
Article purpose 6
To secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves.
67
Article 7
Constitution was to be ratified.
68
Name two ways to propose an amendment. Name two ways to ratify one.
Propose: By 2/3 of a vote or by a national gov. Ratify: 3/4 must approve. States must approve
69
Necessary and proper clause
It allows congress to use powers not directly listed in the constitution
70
Implied powers
Constitution gave congress the power to make all laws that are necessary proper.
71
Loose interpretation
Interpretation of the constitution
72
Strict interpretation.
Interpretation of the constitution
73
Preamble
Intro to a formal document
74
Framers
The delegates to the constitutional convention
75
Justice system
System to ensure fairness
76
Defense
Protection against threats
77
Liberty
Freedom
78
Federal budget
Plan for spending the funds of the u.s government.
79
Timeline:
March 1 1781: article of confederation ratified August 21 1786: shays rebellion breaks in Massachusetts February 21 1787: constitutions calls for a convention May 14 1787: first meeting if constitutional convention is held September 17 1787: convention adopts the constitution and adjourns June 21 1788- New Hampshire is the ninth state to ratify the constitution. It goes into effect.
80
Article 3
Sets up the Supreme Court and lower court
81
Article 4
Explains the relation with states to one another and the national government
82
Enumerated powers
The powers given to the federal government under the constitution.
83
Popular sovereignty
The people's right to rule
84
Checks and balances
The ways that each branch of government limits the power of the other two branches.
85
Limited government
The idea that the government can only do what the people allow it to do.
86
Separation of powers
The division of the government into three branches.
87
Rule of law
The idea that the law applies to everyone.

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