Lesson 1 Flashcards
Settler colonialism
A form of colonialism that seeks to remove native people from land and replace them with a new settler population.
Enslavement
A system of slavery in which individual ls are held as property for the purpose of forced labor so that profit can be extracted.
Articles of Confederation
Americas first written constitution, served as the basis for americas national government until 1789
Confederation
A system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government.
Virginia Plan
A framework for the Constitution that called for representation in the national legislature based on the population of each state.
Bicameral legislature
A legislative assembly composed of two cambers or houses.
New Jersey Plan
A framework for the constitution that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population.
Unicameral legislature
A legislative assembly having only one chamber or house.
Great compromise
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.
Three-Fifths Compromise
The agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of apportioning congressional seats only three-fifths of enslaved people would be counted.
Bill of Rights
10 Amendments. Ratified in 1791, they ensure certain rights and libraries to the people.
Separation of powers
The division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate un decision-making
Federalism
A system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between a central government and regional governments.
Expressed powers
Specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress and to the president.
Elastic Clause
Which provides congress with the authority to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry out its enumerated powers.
Judicial review
The power of the courts to review actions to the legislative and executive branches and, if necessary, declare them invalid or unconstitutional.
Supremacy Clause
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 any subdivision.
Amendment
A change added to a bill, law or constitution, the process of making such change through constitutional procedure.
Checks and balances
Mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate un and influence the activities of the other branches; examples include the presidential veto power over congressional legislation, the Senate’s power to approve presidential appointments, and the supreme courts power of judicial review of congressional enactments.
Federalists
Those who favored a strong national government and supported the constitution proposed at the american constitutional convention.
Antifederalists
Those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government and who were opponents of the constitution proposed at the american constitutional convention of 1787
Federalists papers
A series of essays written by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay supporting ratification of the Constitution.
Tyranny
Oppressive government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority.
Limited government
A principle of constitutional government, a government whose powers are defined and limited by a constitution.
