05 Creating a Constitution, 1781-1789 Flashcards
Articles of Confederation and Perpetual Union
“a plan for a loose union of the states under the
authority of the Confederation Congress”
Northwest Ordinance
law that provided the basis for governing much of the western territory
duty
a tax on imported goods
recession
an economic slowdown
Shays’s Rebellion
a rebellion by farmers in Massachusetts against the state government
Virginia Plan
plan of government developed at the Constitutional Convention that suggested creating a new document to define the national government, not revising the previous one
New Jersey Plan
plan of government developed at the Constitutional Convention that suggested revising the previous document that defined the national government
Great Compromise
a compromise that solved the problem of representation in Congress
Three-Fifths Compromise
a compromise that solved the problem of how enslaved people were to be counted in determining representation in Congress
popular sovereignty
rule by the people
federalism
a system of government in which government power is divided between the federal government and the state governments
separation of powers
a government in which powers of government are divided among three branches
legislative branch
the branch of government that makes the laws
executive branch
the branch of government that enforces the laws
judicial branch
the branch of government that interprets the laws
checks and balances
a system designed to prevent any one of the three branches from becoming too powerful
veto
to reject a law
impeach
to formally accuse of misconduct
amendment
a change to the Constitution
Federalists
those who supported the Constitution
Antifederalists
those who opposed the Constitution
John Hancock
prominent Antifederalist
Patrick Henry
prominent Antifederalist
enumerated powers
powers that belong to the federal government
reserved powers
powers that are retained by state governments
concurrent powers
powers that are shared by state and federal governments
override
the reversal by the Congress with a two-thirds majority vote of a veto by the the President
Bill of Rights
the first ten amendments to the US Constitution
appropriate
approve money for government spending
constituents
the people of a representative’s congressional district or senator’s state
bills
proposed laws before they are passed or rejected
standing committees
permanent committees in both the House and the Senate that specialize in a particular topic; usually divided into subcommittees
select committees
temporary committees to deal with issues requiring special attention
joint committees
temporary committees with members from both houses to consider specific issues
conference committee
joint committee to work out a compromise bill from similar bills passed by the House and Senate
chief executive
president’s role in carrying out the nation’s laws
chief diplomat
president’s role to direct foreign policy, appoint ambassadors, and negotiate treaties with other nations
commander in chief
president’s role to militarily intervene or offer assistance in crises at home and around the world
chief of state
president’s symbolic role of representing all Americans
legislative leader
president’s role to propose legislative goals to Congress
district courts
lowest level of the federal court system
appellate courts
the 14 courts that review decisions of lower courts when an appeal is requested
Supreme Court
the final authority in the federal court system
judicial review
ultimate authority to interpret the Constitution and overturn laws if they are deemed unconstitutional
due process
procedures established by law that government must follow, treating all people equally
jury duty
requirement to serve as a juror when needed
conscription
requiring people to enter military service; currently not required in the US
Congress
the national legislative body of the US; composed of the House of Representatives and the Senate
