Chapter 2 terms

Question 1

Articles of Confederation

Answer 1

America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for national government until 1789

Question 2

Confederation

Answer 2

A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government

Question 3

Shays’s rebellion

Answer 3

Daniel Shay led a makeshift army against the federal arsenal at Springfield to protest heavy taxes levied by the Massachusetts legislature. The rebellion proved the Articles of confederation too weak to protect the nation; triggered the Constitutional Convention of 1787

Question 4

Virginia Plan

Answer 4

A framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, which called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state

Question 5

New Jersey Plan

Answer 5

A framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, which called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population.

Question 6

Connecticut Compromise/Great Compromise

Answer 6

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

Question 7

Bicameral

Answer 7

Having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses

Question 8

Three-fifths Compromise

Answer 8

The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for the purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats, every slave would be counted three-fifths of a person

Question 9

Checks and balances

Answer 9

Mechanisms through which each branch of the government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches. Major examples include the presidential veto power over congressional legislation, the power of the Senate to approve presidential appointments, and judicial review of congressional enactments

Question 10

Electoral college

Answer 10

The presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president

Question 11

Bill of Rights

Answer 11

The first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people

Question 12

Separation of powers

Answer 12

The division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making

Question 13

Federalism

Answer 13

A system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments

Question 14

Expressed powers

Answer 14

Specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress (Article I, section 8) and to the president (Article II)

Question 15

Elastic clause

Answer 15

Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution (also known as the necessary and proper clause), which enumerates the powers of Congress and provides Congress with the authority to make laws “necessary and proper” to carry them out

Question 16

Judicial review

Answer 16

The power of the courts to review and, if necessary, declare actions of the legislature and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional. The S.C. asserted this power in Marbury v. Madison

Question 17

Supremacy clause

Answer 17

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

Question 18

Federalists

Answer 18

Those who favored a strong national government and supported the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

Question 19

Antifederalists

Answer 19

Those who favor strong state governments and a weak national government and who were opponents of the Constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787

Question 20

Federalist Papers

Answer 20

A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay supporting the ratification of the Constitution

Question 21

Tyranny

Answer 21

Oppressive government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority

Question 22

Limited government

Answer 22

A government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution

Question 23

Amendment

Answer 23

A change added to a bill, law, or constitution