Key Terms

Question 1

Northwest Ordinance (1787)

Answer 1

provided a method for admitting new states to the Union from the territory, and listed a bill of rights guaranteed in the territory.

Question 2

Constitutional Convention (of 1787)

Answer 2

address the problems of the weak central government that existed under the Articles of Confederation.

Question 3

Virginia Plan

Answer 3

bicameral legislative branch that gave larger states more representation according to population

Question 4

New Jersey Plan

Answer 4

Unicameral legislative branch that gave all states equal representation

Question 5

Great Compromise

Answer 5

bicameral that did both by equal representation=upper house and proportional representation= lower house.

Question 6

override

Answer 6

a cancellation of a decision by exertion of authority or winning of votes.

Question 7

ratifying convention

Answer 7

method established by Article V of the United States Constitution for ratifying proposed constitutional amendments. only used to repeal prohibition

Question 8

logrolling

Answer 8

you vote for my legislation I will vote for yours.

Question 9

The Federalist Papers

Answer 9

The Federalist is a collection of 85 articles and essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay under the pseudonym “Publius” to promote the ratification of the United States Constitution. Wikipedia

Question 10

executive order

Answer 10

a rule or order issued by the president to an executive branch of the government and having the force of law.

Question 11

executive agreement

Answer 11

an international agreement, usually regarding routine administrative matters not warranting a formal treaty, made by the executive branch of the US government without ratification by the Senate.

Question 12

eminent domain

Answer 12

the right of a government or its agent to expropriate private property for public use, with payment of compensation.

Question 13

habeas corpus

Answer 13

a writ requiring a person under arrest to be brought before a judge or into court, especially to secure the person’s release unless lawful grounds are shown for their detention.

Question 14

delegated powers

Answer 14

Delegated powers are government powers specifically outlined in the U.S. Constitution. These powers limit what Congress can do, and also define what Congress is in charge of regulating.

Question 15

reserved powers

Answer 15

neither prohibited nor explicitly given by law to any organ of government; lie with the constituent states.

Question 16

concurrent powers

Answer 16

Concurrent powers are powers of a federal system of government shared by both the federal government and each constituent political unit (such as a state or province).

Question 17

Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (McCain-Feingold Act)

Answer 17

banned soft money and reduced attack ads

Question 18

soft money

Answer 18

money spent in support of a candidate without directly donating to their campaign, such as paying for ads or campaign events, or giving to the candidate’s party