C5L3 Flashcards
A well educated delegate at the constitutional convention who served in state legislatures or congress.
James Madison
This was held in May 1787 in Philadelphia’s Independence Hall to improve the Articles of Confederation
Constitutional Convention
After the delegates had met for four days, Edmund Randolph of Virginia presented a new federal constitution that would give sovereignty or supreme power to the central government.
Virginia plan
The smaller states came up with a plan to stop the larger states from getting too much power. William Paterson presented the small state plan which called for a unicameral or one-house, legislature. The plan gave each state an equal number of votes and thus an equal voice in the federal government.
New Jersey Plan
An agreement to create a two-house legislature
The Great Compromise
Under this agreement only three-fifths of a state’s slave population would count when determining representation
Three-Fifths Compromise
The idea that political authority belongs to the people.
popular sovereignty
The sharing of power between a central government and the states that make up a country.
federalism
The Constitution balances the power among three branches each responsible for separate tasks. The first branch is the ____________ or Congress who is responsible for proposing and passing laws.
legislative branch
The second branch, ________________ includes the president and the departments that help run the government. This branch makes sure the law is carried out.
executive branch
The third branch is the _______________. This branch is made up of all the national courts. It is responsible for interpreting laws, punishing criminals, and settling disputes between states.
judicial branch
The framers of the Constitution created a system of _______________________, which keeps any branch of government from becoming too powerful.
checks and balances
