AP Gov Ch. 2 Chris Bauder Flashcards
Alexander Hamilton
a key framer who envisioned a powerful central government, co-authored The Federalist Papers, and served as the first Secretary of the Treasury
Anti-federalists
those who favored a stronger national government and supported the proposed U.S. Constitution; later became the first U.S. political party
Article I
creates the legislative branch of government
Article II
creates the executive branch of government
Article III
establishes a supreme court and defines its jurisdiction
Article IV
mandates that states honor the laws and judicial proceedings of other states.
Article V
specifies how amendments can be added to the constitution
Article VI
contains the supremacy clause, which asserts the basic primary of the constitution and national law over state laws and constitutions.
Articles of Confederation
the compact between the thirteen original colonies that created a loose league of friendship, with the national government drawing its powers from the states
Benjamin Franklin
a brilliant inventor and senior statesman at the constitutional convention who urged colonial unity as early as 1754, twenty-two years before the declaration of independence
Bill of Rights
the 10 amendments to the US constitution, which largely guarantee specific rights and liberties
checks and balances
a constitutionally mandated structure that gives each of the three branches of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of the others
common sense
a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine that challenged the authority of the British government to govern the colonies
constitution
a document establishing the structure, functions, and limitations of a government
Constitutional Convention
the meeting in Philadelphia in 1787 that was first intended to revise the articles of confederation, but produced an entirely new document, the US constitution
Crispus Attucks
an African american and first american to die in what became known as the Boston Massacre in 1770
Critical Period
the chaotic period from 1781 to 1789 after the american revolution during which the former colonies were governed under the articles of confederation
Declaration of Independence
document drafted largely by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 that proclaimed the right of American colonies to separate from Great Britain.
Electoral College
the system established by the constitution through which the president is chosen by electors from each state, which has as many electoral votes as it has members of congress
enumerated powers
the powers of the national government specifically granted to congress in article I, section 8 of the constitution
federalism
the distribution of constitutional authority between state governments and the national government, with different powers and functions exercised by both.
federalists
a person who advocates a system of government
The federalist papers
a series of 85 political essays written by alexander hamilton, james madison, and john jay in support of ratification of the U.S. Constitution
first continental congress
meeting held in Philadelphia from september 5 to october 26, 1774, in which 56 delegates adopted a resolution in opposition to the coercive acts
french and indian war
the american phase of what was called the seven years war, fought from 1754 to 1763 between britain and france with indian allies
full faith and credit clause
section of article IV of the constitution that ensures judicial decrees and contracts made in one state will be binding and enforceable in any other state
george washington
widely considered “the father of the nation”, he was the commander of the revolutionary armies; served as the presiding officer of the constitutional convention; and as the united states first president from 1789 to 1797
great compromise
the final decision of the constitutional convention to create a two-house legislature, with the lower house elected by the people and the powers divided between the two houses; also made national law supreme
implied powers
the powers of the national government derived from the enumerated powers and the necessary proper clause
inherent powers
powers that belong to the president because that can be inferred from the constitution
james madison
a key framer often called the “father of the constitution” for his role in conceptualizing the federal government. co-authored the federalist papers; served as secretary of state; served as the 4th U.S. president from 1809 to 1817.
john jay
a member of the founding generation who was the first chief justice of the united states. a diplomat and co-author of the federalist papers
lexington and concord
the first sites of armed conflict between revolutionaries and british soldiers, remembered for the “shot heard around the world” in 1775
mercantilism
an economic theory designed to increase a nation’s wealth through the development of commercial industry and a favorable balance of trade
montesquieu
the french baron and political theorist who first articulated the concept of separation of powers with checks and balances
necessary and proper clause
the final paragraph of article 1, section 8, of the constitution, which gives congress the authority, which gives congress the authority to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the enumerated powers specified in the constitution; also called the elastic clause
new jersey plan
a framework for the constitution proposed by a group of small states; it called for a one-house legislature with one vote for each state, a congress with the ability to raise revenue, and a supreme court appointed for life
new world
the western hemisphere of earth, also called the americas, which was unknown to europeans before 1492
political culture
commonly shared attitudes, behaviors, and core values about how government should operate
samuel adams
cousin of president john adams and an early leader against the british and loyalist oppressors; he played a key role in developing the committees of correspondence and was active in massachusetts and colonial politics
second continental congress
meeting that convened in philadelphia on may 10, 1775, at which it was decided that an army should be raised and george washington of virginia was named commander in chief
separation of powers
a way of dividing the power of government among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each staffed separately, with equality and independence of each branch ensured by the constitution
shays’s rebellion
a rebellion in which an army of 1,500 disgruntled and angry farmers led by daniel shays marched to springfield, massachusetts, and forcibly restrained the state court from foreclosing mortgages on their farms
social contract theory
the belief that governments exist based on the consent of the governed
sons and daughters of liberty
loosely organized groups of patriotic american colonists who were early revolutionaries
stamp act congress
a gathering of nine colonial representatives in 1765 in new york city where a detailed list of crown violations was drafted, first official meeting of the colonies
supremacy clause
potion of article VI of the constitution mandating that national law is supreme over all other laws passed by states or by any other subdivision of government
thomas jefferson
principle drafter of the declaration of independence; second vice president of the US, third president of the US from 1801-1809
thomas paine
the influential writer of common sense, a pamphlet that advocated for independence from great britain
three-fifths compromise
agreement reached at the constitutional convention stipulating that 3/5ths of the total slave population of each state was to be for purposes of determining population for representation in the U.S. house of representatives
virginia plan
a proposed framework for the constituion flavoring large states. it called for a bicameral legislature, which would appoint executive and judicial officers
