Chapter 2 Flashcards
a form of colonialism that seeks to remove Native peoples from land and replace them with a new settler population (unauthorized taking of the land)
settler colonialism
America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for America’s national government until 1789
-The colonists established a weak central government, reflecting their fear that a strong government would infringe upon individual liberty.
Articles of Confederation
a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government
confederation
a framework for the Constitution that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state
Virginia Plan
a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses
bicameral legislature
a framework for the Constitution that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population
New Jersey Plan
a legislative assembly having only one chamber or house
unicameral legislature
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
Great Compromise
the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of apportioning congressional seats only three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted
Three-Fifths Compromise
the first 10 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people
Bill or Rights
the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision-making
separation of powers
a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments
federalism
specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress (Article I, Section 8) and to the president (Article II)
expressed powers
the concluding paragraph of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution (also known as the “necessary and proper clause”), which provides Congress with the authority to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its enumerated powers
elastic clause
the power of the courts to review actions of the legislative and executive branches and, if necessary, declare them invalid or unconstitutional
judicial review
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 any subdivision
supremacy clause
a change added to a bill, law, or constitution; the process of making such change through constitutional procedure
amendment
mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches
ex:)
-presidential veto power over congressional legislation
-Senate’s power to approve presidential appointments
-the Supreme Court’s power of judicial review of congressional enactments
checks and balances
-favored a strong national government
-federal control over economy
-clear property rights
-governments by elites
-supported the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787
Federalists
-those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government
-clearly articulated rights (not just property)
-Government by leaders with the economic interests of the people
-were opponents of the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787
Antifederalists
a series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay a collection of 85 articles and essays supporting ratification of the Constitution
Federalist Papers
oppressive government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority
tyranny
a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution
limited government
What were some of the major points of disagreement between Federalist and Antifederalists during ratification of the Constitution?
-how to prevent tyranny
-how much representation the people should have in government
-limits on the power of government
The AntiFederalist had a lasting impact on the Constitution by making a persuasive case for the inclusion of
The Bill of Rights
How does the Constitution limit the power of the national government?
The Constitution includes two key principles-federalism and the separation of powers.
What motivated the colonists’ desire for a stronger central government leading the Declaration of Independence?
The desire of the colonist to pursue westward expansion against the wishes of King George III and native peoples
During the Constitutional Convention, the delegates disagreed over how representation should be determined, resulting in
a bicameral legislature in which one chamber would be apportioned based on state population and in the other states would receive equal representation.
The Supreme Court has a key role in constitutional revision through the power of —— —– in which it interprets the Constitution as it reviews cases. Constitutional revision can come in different forms.
judicial review
The president —— work
indirectly to modify the
Constitution by appointing
Supreme Court justices.
The president can work indirectly to modify the Constitution by appointing Supreme Court justices.
How are the various successful constitutional amendments similar?
Many tend to
-be concerned with the structure of the government.
-detail the framework within which the government will operate: who votes, how the government is organized, and how the government is funded.
Section 8 of Article I (the elastic clause) allows Congress to:
- Collect taxes
- Borrow money
- Regulate commerce
- Declare war
- Maintain an army and navy
“Elastic clause” – a.k.a. “the necessary and proper clause”
The U.S Constitution was enacted in
1789
Which economic forces within the colonies were at play in spurring the colonists to call for an end to British rule?
The profits gained through the enslavement of Africans were critical to the early development of the colonial economy and made it possible to imagine a future without the British.
Legislation has been sponsored in Congress to raise the federal minimum wage.
elastic clause
supremacy clause
The —— clause and —— clause grant powers to the national government beyond those expressly outlined in the Constitution, and this often becomes a source of conflict that must be resolved by the judiciary.
The elastic clause and supremacy clause grant powers to the national government beyond those expressly outlined in the Constitution, and this often becomes a source of conflict that must be resolved by the judiciary.
the House of Representatives was designed to be ———————–, whereas the Senate was designed to —————- in the House.
the House of Representatives was designed to be directly responsible to the people, whereas the Senate was designed to guard against the potential for excessive democracy in the House.
A state law passed that removes
photo ID requirements for
voting and extends
no excuse absentee voting.
Would be an example of
Tenth Amendment: reserves certain rights for the states or people.
State laws banning same-sex marriage were overturned after the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Obergefell v. Hodges.
supremacy clause
It created an executive branch of government.
The national government is granted the authority to maintain an army and navy.
The Constitution
To guard against possible misuse of power by the national government, the framers incorporated into the Constitution the principles of the ————– and ———-, as well as ————.
separation of powers and federalism, as well as a Bill of Rights.
Chosen for six year terms.
-ratify treaties.
-The Constitution grants the Senate the power to “approve and consent” presidential appointments.
Senate
-With its two-year terms and direct elections, members of the House of Representatives were meant to be directly responsive to the people.
-write revenue bills.
House
———————– must pass a law before it goes to the president to be signed. The bicameral legislature comprises the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is not independent of the other two branches of government because the Constitution set up a system of checks and balances.
Both houses of Congress must pass a law before it goes to the president to be signed. The bicameral legislature comprises the House of Representatives and the Senate. The legislative branch is not independent of the other two branches of government because the Constitution set up a system of checks and balances.
often referred to as the five freedoms. Congress is not to make any law establishing a religion or abridging free exercise of religion, speech, press, assembly, or petitioning the government for redress of grievances. Proposed 1789 Adopted 1791
The First Amendment
reserves certain rights for the states or people.
The tenth amendment
part of the so-called Civil War amendments. Abolished slavery.(1765)
Thirteenth Amendment
Why did the philosopher Baron de Montesquieu believe in the separation of powers among various branches of government?
He feared that consolidating power into the hands of one branch could infringe upon individual liberties.
