Constitutional Foundations Flashcards
Define articles of confederation.
The first adopted written constitution of the newly independent United States. Because of its weaknesses, the period of time (1781-1789) became known as the critical period.
Define anti-federalists.
Led by Thomas Jefferson, one of the first political parties urging the rejection of the Constitution. It’s members were farmers and represented the interest of the common people.
Define Connecticut compromise.
Offered at the Constitutional Convention at Philadelphia, it was adopted by the delegates and created a bicameral legislature, where one house is represented by population and the other house is represented by the states.
Define consent of the governed.
A derivative of the doctrine of natural rights; a philosophy, later adopted by Jefferson when he drafted the Declaration of Independence, that puts the authority of the government in the people’s hands.
Define constitution.
Provides the basic framework of government. It is the supreme law of the land.
Define Declaration of Independence.
Blueprint for the American Revolution containing three parts. The first part-an introduction including ideas such as natural rights as related to life, liberty, and property, the consent of the governed and the concept of limited government. The second part-a list of grievances against the King of England. The third part- a Declaration of Independence.
Define Democrat Republicans.
Led by Thomas Jefferson, they were characterized as the party of the “common man.” They believed in a more limited role of the central government.
Define federalist papers.
Written using pen name Publius; John Jay, Alexander Hamilton, and James Madison wrote a series of articles urging the adoption of the Constitution. They argued for a Constitution that would establish a government that could deal with the “tyranny of the majority” by creating three branches of government having distinctive and separate powers.
Define Federalist Party.
Headed by Alexander Hamilton, this party, made up of the country’s upper class, supported a strong government and set a policy agenda that would solve the nation’s economic problems.
Define great compromise.
Created a bicameral legislature at the Constitution Convention held in Philadelpia in 1787. The compromise came about after delegates could agree on the New Jersey plan that advocated one legislative house based on equal representation and the Virginia plan that favored one house based on population.
Define limited government.
Derived from the doctrine of natural rights, it was adopted by Jefferson and restricts the power of government especially in the area of protecting the rights of the people.
Define natural rights.
Part of Locke’s philosophy; rights that are god given such as life, liberty, and property.
Define New Jersey plan.
Offered at the Constitutional a Convention at Philadelphia, it urged the delegates to create a legislature based on equal representation by the states.
Define Second Treatise of Civil Government.
Written by John Locke, it contains the blueprint principles found in the Declaration of Independence.
Define Shays’ Rebellion.
A failed attempt by Daniel Shays, a farmer who lost his property, to revolt against state government.
