Chapter 2 - The Constitution and the Founding

Question 0

Monarchy

Answer 0

A form of government in which power is held by a single person, or monarch, who comes to power through inheritance rather than election

Question 1

Republican democracy

Answer 1

A form of government in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders

Question 2

Articles of Confederation

Answer 2

Sent to the states for ratification in 1777, these were the first attempt at a new American government. It was later decided that the Articles restricted national government too much, and they were replaced by the Constitution

Question 3

Limited government

Answer 3

A system in which the powers of the government are restricted to protect against tyranny

Question 4

Republicanism

Answer 4

As understood by James Madison and the framers, the belief that a form of government in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders is the best form of government

Question 5

“Consent of the governed”

Answer 5

The idea the government gains its legitimacy through regular elections in which the people living under that government participate to elect their leaders

Question 6

Natural rights

Answer 6

Also know as “unalienable rights” the Declaration of Independence defines them as “Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” The founders believed that upholding these rights should be the governments central purpose

Question 7

Federalist papers

Answer 7

A series of 85 articles written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay that sought to sway public opinion toward the Federalists’ position

Question 8

Federalists

Answer 8

Those at the Constitutional Convention who favored a strong national government and a system of separated powers

Question 9

Antifederalists

Answer 9

Those at the Constitutional Convention who favored strong state governments and feared that a strong national would be a threat to individual rights

Question 10

Pluralism

Answer 10

The idea that having a variety of parties and interests within a government will strengthen the system, ensuring that no group posses total control

Question 11

Virginia Plan

Answer 11

A plan proposed by the larger states during the Constitutional Convention proposed that each state should receive equal representation in the national legislature, regardless of size

Question 12

Great Compromise (Connecticut Compromise)

Answer 12

A compromise between the larger and small states, proposed by Connecticut, in which Congress would have two houses: a Senate with two reps per state and a House of Reps in which each states representation would be based on population

Question 13

Parliamentary system

Answer 13

A system of government in which legislature and executive power are closely joined. The legislature (parliament) selects the chief executive (prime minister) who forms the cabinet from members of the parliament

Question 14

Reserved powers

Answer 14

As defined in the 10th Amendment, powers that are not given to the national government by the Constitution, or not prohibited to the states, are reserved by the states or the people

Question 15

National supremacy clause

Answer 15

Part of the Article IV, Section 2, of the Constitution stating that the Constitution and the laws and treaties of the US are the “supreme Law of the Land” meaning national laws take precedent over state laws if the two conflict

Question 16

Three-fifths Compromise

Answer 16

The states’ decision during the Constitutional Convention to count each slave as 3/5ths of a person in a states’ population for the purposes of determining the number of House members and the distribution of taxes

Question 17

Bill of Rights

Answer 17

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution; they protect individual rights and liberties

Question 18

Necessary and proper clause

Answer 18

Part of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that grants Congress the power to pass all laws related to ones of its expressed powers; also known as the elastic clause

Question 19

Impeached

Answer 19

A checking of power that allows Congress to remove the President, VP, or other “officers of the US” for abuses of power

Question 20

Power of the purse

Answer 20

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding

Question 21

Judicial review

Answer 21

The Supreme Court’s power to strike down a law or executive branch action that it finds unconstitutional

Question 22

Executive powers clause

Answer 22

Part of Article II, Section 1, of the Constitution that states, “The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America.” This broad statement has been used to justify many assertions of presidential power

Question 23

Commerce clause

Answer 23

Part of Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution that gives Congress “the power to regulate Commerce… Among the several states.” The supreme courts interpretation of this clause has varied, but today it serves as the basis for much of Congress’s legislation

Question 24

Enumerated powers

Answer 24

Powers explicitly granted to congress, the president, or the Supreme Court in the first 3 articles of the Constitution. Examples include Congress’s power to “raise and support armies” and the presidents power as commander in chief

Question 25

Implied powers

Answer 25

Powers supported by the Constitution that are not expressly stated in it

Question 26

Constitutional revolution

Answer 26

A significant change in the Constitution that may be accomplished either through amendments (as after the Civil War) or shifts in the supreme courts interpretation of the constitution (as in the new deal era)