AP GOV CHAPTER 2 Flashcards
What is the Declaration of Independence?
America’s declaration of separation from the UK that states that citizens have certain rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. *Influenced by Locke.
What were the Articles of Confederation?
America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for America’s national government until 1789.
What is a Confederation?
A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the power expressly delegated to the national government.
What is the Virginia Plan?
A framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state or through revenue contributions or both.
What is the New Jersey Plan?
A framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population.
What is the Great ‘Connecticut’ Compromise?
The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that gave each state an equal number of senators regardless of its population but linked representation in the House of Representatives to population.
What is the Three-Fifths Compromise?
The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats only ⅗ of slaves would be counted.
What does Bicameral mean?
Having a legislative assembly of two chambers or houses; distinguished from unicameral.
What are Checks and Balances?
Mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches.
What is the Bill of Rights?
The first 10 amendments to the US Constitution; ratified in 1791 to ensure certain rights and liberties to the people.
What is the Separation of Powers?
The division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making.
What is Federalism?
A system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments.
What is Montesquieu’s View?
The powers of government must be divided to prevent any one group of institutions from tyrannical control. Heavily influenced the Constitution including tripartite division.
What is the Elastic Clause?
The concluding paragraph of Article 1, Section 8, of the Constitution which provides Congress with the authority to make all laws ‘necessary and proper’ to carry out its enumerated powers.
What is Judicial Review?
The power of the courts to review and, if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional.
What is the Supremacy Clause?
Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties are the supreme law of the land and superior to all laws adopted by any state or subdivision.
What are Legislative Powers?
Passing federal laws, controlling federal appropriations, approving treaties and presidential appointments, regulating interstate commerce, and establishing lower courts.
What are Executive Powers?
Enforcing laws, commanding armed forces, making foreign treaties, proposing laws, appointing justices, and pardoning those convicted in federal court.
What are Judicial Powers?
Deciding the constitutionality of laws, reviewing lower court decisions, and deciding cases involving disputes between states.
Who are the Federalists?
Those who favored a strong national government and supported the Constitution proposed at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Who are the Antifederalists?
Those who favored a strong state government and a weak national government and who were opponents of the Constitution proposed at the Constitutional Convention of 1787.
What are the Federalist Papers?
Essays written by Hamilton, Madison, and Jay supporting Constitution’s ratification.
What is Tyranny?
Oppressive government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority.
What is Limited Government?
A principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.
What is an Amendment?
A change added to a bill, law, or constitution.
Who are Originalists?
Politicians that argue that the meaning of the constitutional text is fixed and that it should bind constitutional actors. They do not believe the amendments to be legitimate.
What was the Annapolis Convention?
A conference of representatives from all states, that only five attended, with the purpose of calling Congress to amend the Articles of Confederation.
What was the Constitutional Convention?
A conference in Philadelphia of May 1787 where delegates planned to fix the flaws in the Articles of Confederation, but soon decided to create a new form of government. The Convention took five months. 55 out of the 74 delegates chosen went, mostly lawyers.
What is an ex post facto law?
A criminal statute that punishes actions retroactively, thereby criminalizing conduct that was legal when originally performed.
What are Enumerated Powers?
The powers granted to the Federal government, and specifically Congress, which are mostly listed in Article I, Section 8 of the U.S. Constitution.
What are Reserved Powers?
Powers not specifically granted to the national government in the Constitution and are therefore reserved to the states.
What are Bills of Attainder?
Legislation that allows the government to punish a party for a perceived crime without first going through the trial process.
