Test 1.1 Flashcards
amendment
a change added to a bill, law, or constitution.
Antifederalists
those who favored strong state governments and a weak national government and were opponents of the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787.
Articles of Confederation
America’s first written constitution; served as the basis for America’s national government until 1789.
bicameral
having a legislative assembly composed of two chambers or houses.
Bill of Rights
the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, ratified in 1791; they ensure certain rights and liberties to the people.
checks and balances
mechanisms through which each branch of government is able to participate in and influence the activities of the other branches.
confederation
a system of government in which states retain sovereign authority except for the powers expressly delegated to the national government.
elastic clause
Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution which enumerates the powers of Congress and provides Congress with the authority to make all laws “necessary and proper” to carry them out.
electoral college
the presidential electors from each state who meet after the popular election to cast ballots for president and vice president.
expressed powers
specific powers granted by the Constitution to Congress (Article I, Section 8) and to the president (Article II).
federalism
a system of government in which power is divided, by a constitution, between the central (national) government and regional (state) governments.
Federalist Papers
a series of essays written by James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and John Jay supporting the ratification of the Constitution.
Federalists
those who favored a strong national government and supported the constitution proposed at the American Constitutional Convention of 1787.
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.
judicial review
the power of the courts to review and, if necessary, declare actions of the legislative and executive branches invalid or unconstitutional.
limited government
a principle of constitutional government; a government whose powers are strictly defined by a constitution.
New Jersey Plan
a framework for the Constitution, introduced by William Paterson, that called for equal state representation in the national legislature regardless of population.
separation of powers
the division of governmental power among several institutions that must cooperate in decision making.
supremacy clause
Article VI of the Constitution, which states that laws passed by the national government and all treaties shall be and superior to all laws adopted by any state or any subdivision.
Three-Fifths Compromise
the agreement reached at the Constitutional Convention of 1787 that stipulated that for purposes of the apportionment of congressional seats, five slaves would count as three free persons.
tyranny
oppressive and unjust government that employs cruel and unjust use of power and authority.
Virginia Plan
a framework for the Constitution, introduced by Edmund Randolph, that provided for a system of representation in the national legislature based upon the population of each state.
