Constitution Flashcards
Declaration of Independence
Document drafted by Thomas Jefferson in 1776 that proclaimed the right of the American colonies to separate from Great Britain.
Articles of Confederation
The compact among the 13 original colonies that created a loose league of friendship, with the national government drying its powers from the states.
Shay’s Rebellion
A 1786 rebellion in which an army of 1500 disgruntled and angry farmers led by Daniel Shays marched to Springfield, Massachusetts, and forcibly restrained the state court from foreclosing mortgages on their farms.
Virginia Plan
The first general plan for the Constitution offered in Philadelphia. Its key points were a bicameral legislature, and an executive and judiciary chosen by the national legislature.
New Jersey Plan
A framework for the Constitution proposed by a group of small states. It’s key points were a one house legislature with one vote for each state, a Congress with an ability to raise revenue, and a Supreme Court with members appointed for life.
Great Compromise
The final decision of the Constitutional convention to create two-house legislature with the lower house selected by the people with powers divided between the two houses. It also made national law supreme.
Three-Fifths Compromise
Agreement reached at the Constitutional convention stipulating that each slave was to be counted as 3/5 of a person for purposes of determining population for representation in the US House of Representatives.
Federal System
System of government where the national government and state government share power, derive all authority from the people, and the powers of the government are specified in a constitution.
Separation of Powers
A way of dividing the power of government among the legislative, executive, and judicial branches, each staffed separately, with equality and independence of each branch insured by the Constitution.
Checks and Balances
A constitutionally mandated structure that gives each of the three branches of government some degree of oversight and control over the actions of the others.
Constitution: Article I
Established the Legislative branch.
Constitution: Article II
Established the Executive branch.
Constitution: Article III
Established the Judicial branch.
Supremacy Clause
Portion of Article VI of the US Constitution mandating that national law is supreme to all other laws passed by the states or by any other subdivision of government.
Necessary and Proper Clause
The final paragraph of Article I, section 8, of the Constitution, which gives Congress the authority to pass all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out the enumerated powers specified in the Constitution; also called the elastic clause.
